Thinking games, memory games and puzzles for kids

How do you choose a thinking challenge?

You can start by matching shapes or memory of some objects, and then try a maze, sudoku or color code. Choose an age, read the instruction and let the child test an idea. A mistake can be an opportunity to ask what we will try differently.

Start with one fold before two folds

In Surprise Folding, one imagines opening a paper that folds once. Looking for the folding line and the marked perforation, then checking which model can be accepted. Reflecting to the right and left, the holes remain in the same row and at equal distance from the line. You can fold a real page and mark a point with a pencil to talk about both sides, without piercing or using scissors. The link opens in kindergarten; if the spatial similarity is still challenging, a parent can only read and describe the folding together.

Getting used to the game: Surprise at Folding

Planning and explaining in third grade

In the Jed classrooms, puzzles can be selected that have several stages of thinking. In Holes After Folding, two folds follow and guess where the holes in the open paper will appear. In The Path That Has a Substitute, check to see if closing a path will leave a way for each house, and in What Page Will Close to a Cube? imagine how pieces of paper become a cube. Before testing, you can explain the hypothesis, and after making a mistake to change it with the clue.

Getting used to the game: Holes after folding · The path that has a replacement · Which page will be closed to the cube?

Visual memory games and sequence memory

In visual memory, one looks at an object and tries to remember where it appeared. In sequence memory games, one follows several lights and then restores order. One can start with a few small items, repeating the same challenge as needed.

Getting used to the game: Perfect pairs · Who came out of the box? · Flashlights in the Forest

Find the differences and unusual identification

In games find the differences comparing two images and looking for change. In unusual identification you discover what is different about a group, and in matching shadows compare the shape of an object to its shadow. These are observational games that invite attention to detail.

Getting used to the game: The Garden Detectives · Who stopped by? · Who hides in the shade?

Engineering shapes, sizes and symmetry

Engineering form games begin with identifying and matching a shape to its home. Comparing sizes arrange items from small to large, and in symmetry games complete a second side of an image. You can talk about what stays the same and what changes.

Getting used to the game: The Island of Forms · Balloons to the Sky · The Butterfly and the Mirror

Series, Models and Logical Thinking

Pattern recognition searches for what goes back in a row. In series games the next item is completed, and logic puzzles use clues to test options. It is worth asking which rule can explain the whole line.

Getting used to the game: What comes next? · The Model Train · The Safari Detectives

Puzzles, Dungeons and Spatial Perception

The puzzles for assembly are looking for pieces that connect, and mazes for children plan an open path to the destination. Moving slots in a sliding puzzle allows checking how a small change makes way for another part.

Getting used to the game: The friends puzzle · The treasure trail · The mixed-up puzzle

Children's programming and problem solving

In children's programming games, a sequence of steps is constructed for the robot or spacecraft. Course planning and problem solving include experience, testing and change of teaching. Start with age-appropriate challenges and see what happens after each step.

Getting used to the game: Robot at a Picnic · Space Mission · The Pirates' Compass

Choose an age and start playing

You can choose a different stage at any time according to the pace and interest of the children.

• Perfect pairs

  Peeping, remembering and finding out who's hiding in a pair.

• What comes next?

  Find the rule and complete the line.

• The treasure trail

  A small turn, another ideaand the treasure approaches.

• The mixed-up puzzle

  Move from squares and put everything back.

• Little Sudoku

  Four numbers, lots of ways to think.

• The friends puzzle

  Connect the picture and discover the bunch.

• The secret code

  Try colors, read clues and crack code.

• Three Symbols on the Path

  Taking turns and blocking a line on an illustrated board with instructions, hints and answer checking.

• A Bite of Star Cake

  A strategy game with disappearing areas on an illustrated board with instructions, hints and answer checking.