Puzzle games are a genre of games that challenge players to think logically and solve problems. The game needs logical thinking, pattern recognition, sequence solving, spatial recognition, and word completion. You can play these types of games on mobile devices or as video games.
Types Of Puzzle Games
- Match-three: A popular subgenre of puzzle game
- Word games: A popular subgenre of puzzle game
- Brain games: A popular subgenre of puzzle game
- Board games: A popular subgenre of puzzle game
- Solitaire/ Mahjong: A subgenre of puzzle game
- Coloring games: A subgenre of puzzle game
- Hidden objects: A subgenre of puzzle game
You will find puzzle games that involve time pressure, hand-eye coordination, and quick thinking, some other games involve navigating complex locations such as mazes. Other than just time-pass, puzzle games have several benefits that include improving problem-solving skills, delaying the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia disease, also helping in improving social interaction skills.
This article explores kid-friendly puzzles, let’s get started:
1. Knob Puzzles
These are some of the easiest games for kids which will help to enhance their love of animals. This will be a perfect choice for kids who have an interest in visual learning and prefer to learn kinesthetically.
2. Sorting Puzzles
These are multidimensional educational toys that need the ability to combine colors, perfect coordination, and spatial memory.
3. Identify Objects By Size
If your kid has difficulty in identifying sizes visually they can try out this puzzle worksheet to strengthen their ability. SplashLearn’s printable worksheet is highly recommended.
4. Foam Puzzles
This type of puzzle helps children to develop the skill of putting big pieces together. Kids can try out these games as they help in contemplative thinking.
5. Shape-Based Puzzles
These types of puzzles help kids learn about different shapes such as circles, squares, rectangles, and others.
best puzzle games for kids based on their ages
You will see diverse varieties of puzzle games in the market but before buying one from them you should ensure whether it is age-appropriate or not. The below-given section will help you to understand which puzzle is best for certain ages.
1. Puzzles For 1-2 Years Old
Newborn babies within a few weeks of birth start recognizing colors. So, if you are buying anything for the baby such as toys, consider buying red color and it can help their hand-eye coordination because of the brightness of that color. Help your kids to start their puzzle journey with a 3-piece knob puzzle. The puzzle consists of 3 big blocks with unique shapes and colors. Before buying the toy make sure the toy is age appropriate.
2. Puzzles For 2-3 Years Old
From this age itself some kids might have some specific preferences and interests so while buying puzzles you can consider those interests. At this age kids will be able to handle 8-20 pieces so consider that type of puzzle, jigsaw puzzles are the best options. Playing along with your kid will help to grow the emotional bond and also the child will acquire spatial language. This is also a great learning tool for a kid’s self-esteem.
3. Puzzles For 3-5 Years Old
This period is considered the imagination phase of kids. They will start loving to play pretend and also start using an object to represent something else. At this stage, you can consider buying 20-40-piece puzzles and imagination magnets that can freely rotate and join pieces together. Introduce them to the world of alphabet, numbers, and sounds with the help of puzzles. To make their learning even more special make homemade toys, this will be enjoyable for both kids and parents.
4. Puzzles For 5-7 Years Old
By this age, kids will start to love playing with their friends so buy them puzzles that include 250-500 pieces. Usually, at this age, kids start to develop their social skills, and puzzles will also contribute to the same. Other than social skills, they will develop motor skills and emotional confidence.
5. Puzzles For 7-10 Years Old
This age is the foundation for the brain development. They will start thinking more organized and they will be capable of problem solving. Choosing puzzles at this age should be based on the child’s interest. If the kid shows interest in vocabulary and wordplay, then buy Scrabble, or if they have an interest in geography, then consider buying the USA Map jigsaw puzzle. According to the kid’s capacity buy a puzzle with 500-1000 pieces.
Puzzles For All Age Groups
As kids become older their jigsaw skills will also develop. So consider buying a 1000-piece puzzle board that will suit kids of all ages. Buying puzzle board made up of fiberboard with 4 drawers to keep the small pieces.
Examples of some kid-friendly puzzle games
- Chuchel
- Mr. Driller DrillLand
- Snipperclips – Cut it out, together!
- We Love Katamari
- Bye-Bye BoxBoy!
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem
- Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure
- Professor Layton and the Last Specter
Also Read: Gaming For Mental Health: How Video Games Can Be Therapeutic?
Conclusion
Puzzles are open-ended and imaginative games that impart lots of benefits for the kids. Puzzle games will help in developing various skills that include logical thinking, pattern recognition, sequence solving, spatial recognition, and word completion. Buy the puzzle that is age-appropriate for your kid, keep them engaged, and also help them to boost their skills. Hope this article helped you to learn about the puzzles and things to consider while choosing a puzzle.
