Brain teaser puzzles for adults come in a few broad styles. There are mechanical puzzles, such as interlocking metal or wooden pieces you have to take apart and put back together, logic puzzles that ask you to work out a single correct arrangement, and spatial puzzles where you fit shapes into a fixed space. Knowing which type someone enjoys makes it much easier to choose one they will actually sit down with.
From about six upwards, children can handle puzzles with a bit more thinking. The Genius Square and Genius Star ask them to roll dice and fit shapes into a grid, which keeps them busy without needing anyone to read a long rulebook. Games like these also work solo, which is useful for a quiet half-hour or a long car journey.
For a hand-picked selection of brain teasers across easy, medium and fiendish levels, have a look at the adult puzzle range at happypuzzle.co.uk.
Matching a game to a child”s age saves a lot of guesswork. For four and five-year-olds, look for chunky, simple games with clear rules and short rounds, so there is not much waiting between turns. Bee Genius, pitched at younger children, is one example that uses big pieces and a single, easy-to-grasp goal.
These games are a good pick if you want screen-free play that travels well and does not need a long rulebook. You can compare the full Genius line-up and read how each version plays at happypuzzle.co.uk.
For a hand-picked selection of Christmas games and stocking-filler puzzles for every age, browse the seasonal range at happypuzzle.co.uk.
