Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
As the weather starts to get colder and holiday season approaches, spending time together as a family becomes more appealing. Finding ways to stay entertained can be hard, especially if you have a wide spread of ages. Films don’t always appeal to all age groups and finding a TV show that everyone enjoys isn’t always easy. This is why puzzles are the ideal way to keep the whole family happy this winter. These six great puzzle games are not only great fun but also educational.
Word Puzzles
With a rise in popularity of word puzzles, many people are turning to their phones and downloading word game apps to pass the time. This is a fun way to extend your vocabulary, use your brain and work co-operatively as a family to find a solution. The added bonus of downloadable games is that you can play them anywhere, whether you are at home or on the move. If you love playing along with classic TV shows such as Wheel of Fortune, this is a great option for you.
Scrabble
Board games are the perfect way to bond as a family and traditional word games such as Scrabble help keep your brain active. There’s a good reason why Scrabble remains so popular – the game was designed as a distraction from the world during the Great Depression and continues to be a perfect for of escapism in the 21st century. Remember to have a dictionary nearby to stop any arguments!
Tetris
Strategy games such as Tetris are a fun pastime for all ages and great for developing spatial awareness. Ideal for playing on the move, these games are downloadable as apps so perfect for long journeys. If you prefer a new twist on this old favorite, check out Tetris Royale, a ‘last-person-standing’ competitive version of this classic game.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Go old-school this winter and treat yourself to a challenging jigsaw puzzle that you can work on as a family. Puzzles like this encourage co-operation and team work and are a great mindful activity. With a range of difficulties and sizes and images for every taste there’s something for everyone in the wonderful world of jigsaw puzzles. Downloadable puzzle apps are an alternative for those who prefer to play on a tablet or phone, but sometimes you can’t beat the traditional tactile version.
Spot the Difference
If visual games are your favorite, spot the difference is the perfect choice for you. This is a fun activity for all age groups and can be a great challenge for youngsters in particular. As well as versions in activity books there are now many apps where you can download digital spot the difference games. With versions aimed at children and more difficult types specially designed for adults, spot the difference games are a puzzle everyone can enjoy, no matter what their age.
Ball Sort Puzzles
If logic and strategy puzzles appeal to you, ball sort puzzle apps are a great way for you to use your brain power and stay entertained at the same time. Transfer the balls between the tubes and arrange them by color – it’s harder than you might think! Challenging and addictive, you’ll find you can while away many a happy hour playing this puzzle!
With such a wide variety of games available to download as well as traditional board games and puzzle books, there really is something for everyone who wants to keep their brain active this winter. With tricky mindbenders that tease and mindful activities to help you relax, puzzling remains the ideal family activity!
Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.