Problem solving game/puzzle

[Alakazam8]

Hi I’m hoping to develop my little ones problem solving skills. Has anyone any good ideas for games or if not puzzle activities that would develop this.

Have searched but wanted a tried and tested one ideally. Suitable for around 4-5 year olds and more a stocking type present- hopefully no more than £30 as it’s not a main gift. Am stumped at the moment!

The shopping trolley game
Shut the box
Pass the pigs?

Thanks will have a look at those!

Not quite what I’m looking for, possibly shut the box might do but pass the pigs will be a bit too complex for her I’m afraid. She has some special needs which is why I’m working on it with her.
They will be a good starting point though so thanks poncey!

Something like Rush Hour Junior? www.amazon.co.uk/Thinkfun-Rush-Hour-Junior-Traffic/dp/B00GRV5JNY/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?psc=1&keywords=Rush+hour&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1541674408&sr=8-2-spons

It says 5 and up so may not be right though.

That’s more like it but may be a bit hard. Will have a look at other Thinkfun games now though as one of those might do!

Dobble, tangrams, double sided jigsaw (elc have some). One of those mazes with a marble that you have to get from one end to the next?

Someone linked to smart games “penguin pool party” on another thread. Would that work? I was looking for my 6yo, not sure if it might be a bit easy for him but it may suit your daughter as she’s younger.

Great ideas there thanks. Will check those next

My son (nearly 6) loves:

North Pole Expedition:
www.smartgames.eu/uk/one-player-games/north-pole-expedition

Little Red Riding Hood:
www.smartgames.eu/uk/one-player-games/little-red-riding-hood-deluxe

He's happily played with them from age 4. There's also a GPS one which he is just getting into now as it's slightly more abstract.

Dobble and Jumbalup are both nice little card games that help develop observational skills and strategic thinking.

I think I’ll get dobble and one of the Smart Games. The think fun games are a little too hard for her yet. Thanks for all the recommendations so far. Great to know there is what I’m looking for out there. Mumsnet is brill for things like this!

Mine both enjoyed this 2D and 3D puzzle, and started before the suggested age of 6.
www.wickeduncle.co.uk/presents/boys/age-6/iq-puzzler?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2o_fBRC8ARIsAIOyQ-lJsiRs85VMyt_RvY80FoNK1nL1O5BluqqeSvtFhvkgU52C-3uAPBcaAmpgEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Some things I found good at that age with DS who also had some sn:

Straw construction set looks very simple but it can be really challenging and thought provoking. It’s the kind of activity that’s gets more complex as time goes on. Highly recommend.
Train sets - creating a track is an act of problem solving. Adding junctions makes it more complex. Risers to balance elevated tracks.
marble run- look for one that can be used in different arrangements. Wooden ones can be frustrating if motor control is poor but you can do so many variations with them. A basic set from Lidl /aldi is fine but check out the add on options from hape we used the musical marble run
Mosaic tiles - another toy that looks deceptively simple. You have to search and find the right pieces but also rotate into position. You can make it on the picture or get more complex by making it separate from picture and make own pictures and patterns.
Lego- brilliant toy for problem solving and worth encouraging an interest in. You may need to work together to start.

I think they’re all a bit bigger maybe than stocking fillers. Will try and remember what smaller things we had that were useful.

We have a lot of thinkfun type games and they tend to err on the side of caution with the starting age, but the levels do quickly get harder. We have Camelot Jnr - fantastic game that says suitable from age 4 but a game will only be interesting while the levels are within her reach.

How about things like Kerplunk, Ludo, connect 4. Not problem solving per se, more just starting to think about strategy - she has some choice to make. She probably won't have the concentration for Ludo itself but something along those lines. It's all cause and effect, and making choices.

Top trumps is another good one for starting to make judgements and choices. They don't even need to be able to read that well. Some packs have very simple numbers. The child only needs to read or learn the 5 categories, understand the different ranges of each and read the numbers. My son was an absolute fiend at top trumps in YR. But again, perhaps you're talking more about abstract problem solving rather than strategy.

Try Labyrinth- it’s great and can be played collaboratively rather than competitively. You can also adapt the way you set it out to make it more or less complex

www.argos.co.uk/product/1073593?cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59156%7Cacid:444-797-0832%7Ccid:189934165%7Cagid:18091993045%7Ctid:aud-491896989345:pla-105231692005%7Ccrid:77627768125%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:11394766301318476187%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o1%7Cmt:%7Cloc:1006765&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkY-HiKbF3gIVCpPtCh34aAq7EAQYASABEgJS-_D_BwE

Have a look on happy puzzle co
They have some great games and puzzles on there for all ages and abilities.

I'd look at the smart games, mosaic tiles and dobble this year. Jigsaw are good to. Melissa and Doug have some lovely ones (we have a 48 piece one in a wooden tray, so not really stocking size!)
And save some of the other ideas for next year.

You might be able to use Qwerkle if you ditch the scoring and competitive aspect of it. You could treat it as a colour/pattern matching game (or rather not matching!) with the aim just to get all the tiles played.

Camelot Junior is great - it's a solo game which gets gradually harder.

Wow didn’t expect this many replies. Got loads of ideas to look at. Think I’ll end up getting a few different ones.
She’s really good at jigsaws and can do age appropriate ones no problem so this seems to be a natural next step.