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    You are here: Home / Games / Gift Guide for Kids: Best Single Player Logic Games

     

    Gift Guide for Kids: Best Single Player Logic Games

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    There is no greater gift you can give parents than a single player logic game for their kids.

    I'm serious.

    Single player logic games do the following:

    1. Increase kids' brain power; and
    2. Keep the quietly busy for house of independent play.

    Convinced, yet? I thought so.

    The best single player logic games for kids

    We happen to have a rather larger than average collection of solitary logic games for kids for precisely the reasons I outlined above. (Also because we are game addicts.) Today I'm sharing a gift guide list of awesome games. Each of these brain teasing logic puzzle games makes kids smarter and has been a quality investment in my children's future and my sanity.

    (Note: this post contains affiliate links that earn commission from qualifying purchases.)

    Best Single Player Logic Games

    Here are some of the best single player logic games, all of which my kids and I love:

    Rush Hour logic game

    .

    Find it: ThinkFun Rush Hour | Rush Hour, Jr. | Extra challenge cards

    Rush Hour has long been my top game recommendation for kids. I've bought it, or the version for younger kids, Rush Hour, Jr., for more birthday presents I can count. Challenge cards in several levels each have a puzzle that kids solve by rearranging the vehicles to drive the red truck off the board. Splendid. Ages 4 and up for Rush Hour, Jr. Ages 7 and up for Rush Hour.

    UPDATE: ThinkFun now has My First Rush Hour for preschoolers! It's so great it was featured as a game of the month.


    Balance Beans logic game

    Find it: Balance Beans

    Balance Beans is a math game that uses challenge cards. Each card displays a puzzle to solve and there are different skill levels. Each puzzle involves setting up the red beans and then figuring out which beans to add to the see-saw in order to make it balance. It is actually more challenging than it sounds. But the thing that sold me is that each puzzle can also be solved by algebra. That's right! Algebra! Which is why my 11 year old math nerd enjoyed it so much. Although older sibling may enjoy the game, stick to ages 5-10 for gift giving.


    Colorku board, box and card example

    Find it: Colorku | Expansion packs

    Colorku is a colorful, oversized version of Sudoku. We have gotten so much mileage out of this game. Even though it was pricey, it was totally worth it. My son has spent many hours improving his thinking skills in independent play with this game over the years. The wooden board and marbles are a pleasure to use. Challenge cards come in different levels and expansion packs are available.


    Katamino puzzle game

    Find it: Katamino

    If you are looking for an heirloom quality game that will continue to be a fun challenge into their adult years, look no further. This puzzle game can be played as a single player game or with 2 players, making it very versatile.


    Camelot Jr logic puzzle

    Find it: Camelot, Jr. 

    This one player logic game has wooden pieces that are lovely for little hands to hold. Challenge cards contain puzzles that kids solve by creating pathways between the princess and prince. Bonus: kids can use the blocks as part of their pretend play. Ages 4 and up.

    For a similar game, try Castle Logix, which we featured as a game of the month


    Code Master board game

    Find it: Code Master

    This single player game consists of an avatar game piece with 4  crystals, a book of guide scrolls, colored tokens and a map book. The player choses a skill level and a map and attempts to navigate the map by creating a sequence of actions based on placement of tokens. The object of each challenge is to collect the required crystals and land on the end portal.  Code Master is excellent for developing visual perception and deductive reasoning skills. Ages 8 and up.


    Little Red Riding Hood logic game showing plastic game board, cards, box and booklet

    Find it: Little Red Riding Hood | Three Little Piggies

    merges storytelling and a logic game! (Winner 2016 ASTRA Best Toy) The game includes a story book, plus 48 puzzles. Kids strive to get Little Red to grandma's house before the wolf gets there! Ages 4 and up. Not a fan of Little Red Riding Hood? Three Little Piggies is a very similar game.


    Simon game

    Find it: Simon Electric Memory Game | Simon Travel Version

    Do you remember this marvelous game? I love leaving it out to be rediscovered by the kids on a rainy day. They always rise to the challenge and although it's not silent, it sure keeps them occupied. And I know they are stretching their memory, visual perception and attention skills. Win-win!


    Block by Block logic puzzle game

    Find it: Block by Block 

    Block by Block is an excellent logic game to take on your travels. It is a 3D puzzle game. Kids must solve puzzles by arranging the blocks in the formations illustrated on the challenge cards. Also check out the colorful version this game: Shape by Shape. Ages 7 and up.


    SET card game box

    Find it: SET

    SET is a family card game, but it is very versatile and can also be enjoyed by a single player. The player aims to gather "sets" of cards based on logical rules. We featured it as a game of the month, so hop over there to learn more if you want! Ages 6 and up.


    Logic links game

    Find it: Logic Links 

    Logic links is a great hands on single player logic game in which kids exercise spatial and logical deductive reasoning skills and they solve clues in order to put colored discs in the right order. We got so much use out of this game and it really stretches those thinking skills! Ages 6 and up.


    IQ logic games

    Find it: IQ Link | IQ Twist | IQ Focus

    When you want a portable puzzle that will work those thinking muscles on the go and which doesn't use a screen to entertain, these two logic games are exactly what you need. From personal experience I know the IQ family of games will also keep kids busy on long trips! Games are played by solving puzzles by fitting irregularly shaped pieces on the game board.

    More gift guides for kids:

    • Gifts for kids who love to code
    • Math gifts for kids
    • The best STEM toys, books and gifts
    • Award-winning games for every age
    • My favorite gift for kids
    • Gifts for kids that promote reading
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. joana says

      November 28, 2017 at 5:52 pm

      IQ Twist I have this one and three more of this kind . I love to challenge "my children " with them, and my son really loves them and always makes a fuss when I take them with me to work

      Reply
    2. Monika says

      February 26, 2018 at 7:26 am

      Thank you for listing the games, your article helped me a lot is choosing presents for my child.

      Reply
    3. TechyKids Canada says

      December 02, 2020 at 6:36 am

      These are some really interesting games to help kids develop their logical thinking and reasoning skills. These skills are not only useful for academic performance but also for life Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Rebecca says

      September 27, 2022 at 6:42 am

      This is similar to Block by Block, I think ... but we love Djeco's Cubissimo. Everyone from 5-75 in our family has enjoyed it!

      Reply
      • Erica says

        September 27, 2022 at 11:14 am

        Thanks for the recommendation!

        Reply

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