Think about space and time too. A large jigsaw needs a table or board where it can stay out for days, which is not always practical. Puzzles can be a calming, screen-free way to spend a wet afternoon, and working on one together is a quiet way for a family to sit down side by side without a fixed finish time.
For a hand-picked selection of Christmas games and stocking-filler puzzles for every age, browse the seasonal range at brain games for adults.
Brain teasers can help pass the time on a commute or wind down at the end of the day, and they make a good talking point left out on a table. They are also handy gifts because they do not need batteries, a screen or another player. A well-made puzzle in solid metal or wood also tends to last, so it can be handed round the family for years.
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.
For gift ideas sorted by age band, with the number of players and rough playing time listed for each, browse the games-by-age pages at brain games for adults.
Piece count is the first thing to settle when you choose a jigsaw. Puzzles for young children usually have large pieces and a low count, so small hands can manage them, while 500 and 1,000-piece puzzles suit older children and adults who want a longer sit-down. If you are buying for someone new to jigsaws, it is better to start lower and work up than to hand over a 2,000-piece puzzle that never gets finished.
For a hand-picked selection of Christmas games and stocking-filler puzzles for every age, browse the seasonal range at brain games for adults.
Brain teasers can help pass the time on a commute or wind down at the end of the day, and they make a good talking point left out on a table. They are also handy gifts because they do not need batteries, a screen or another player. A well-made puzzle in solid metal or wood also tends to last, so it can be handed round the family for years.
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.
For gift ideas sorted by age band, with the number of players and rough playing time listed for each, browse the games-by-age pages at brain games for adults.
Piece count is the first thing to settle when you choose a jigsaw. Puzzles for young children usually have large pieces and a low count, so small hands can manage them, while 500 and 1,000-piece puzzles suit older children and adults who want a longer sit-down. If you are buying for someone new to jigsaws, it is better to start lower and work up than to hand over a 2,000-piece puzzle that never gets finished.