2023 Smart Mom’s Toybox: The Good-for-Your-Brain Toylist
The holiday season is here, and maybe you’re looking for some fresh games, toys, and gift ideas for some of the people on your list! The Smart Mom’s Toybox is our collection of some of our favorite new (and old) games, toys, books, or activities that are exciting for kids and adults—and boost brain skills, too!
Here’s the 2023 Smart Mom’s Toybox Roundup:
Kanoodle Head-to-Head Puzzle Game (Ages 7+)
Kanoodle is a traditional favorite around LearningRx, but the competition brings a new edge!
Skills it builds:
- Logic
- Visual processing
- Spatial awareness
- Attention
- Working memory
Murdle Puzzle Book
The online Murdle puzzles, in book form to take with you anywhere! Good for young and old alike, use the clues to solve the cases using strategic thinking & reasoning skills.
Skills it builds:
- Logic
- Sequential thinking
- Working memory
- Attention
- Critical thinking
- Processing speed
Bamboozled (ages 8+)
This dice and card game is a great balance of easy play + strategy to engage players of all ages!
Skills it builds:
- Logic and strategy
- Attention
- Processing speed
- Working memory
Partners Board Game (ages 8+)
This strategy board game pairs you up and has you work as a team to sabotage, advance, and win!
Skills it builds:
- Cooperative working
- Working memory
- Strategy
- Visual processing
- Attention
Rapid Rumble (ages 6+)
This is a fun, fast-paced category game that is great for younger kids and adults alike! Take this one with you to restaurants, on the go, or for family game night to keep everyone’s brains active.
Skills it builds:
- Rapid naming fluency
- Processing speed
- Associations
- Phonemic awareness
- Attention
- Working memory
Blokus Shuffle: UNO Edition (ages 7+)
Blokus + UNO? This game brings two classic favorites together with a new twist!
Skills it builds:
- Visual processing
- Spatial awareness
- Attention
- Working memory
- Processing speed
- Strategy and logical thinking
The Uzzle Stack Royale (ages 4+)
Part building toy and part board game, get the whole family involved with The Uzzle! With varying degrees of challenge, this is an adaptable game/toy for lots of ages and skill levels.
Skills it builds:
- Visual processing
- Attention
- Memory
- Logical thinking
- Strategy
- Motor skills
Steal the Bacon (ages 8+)
From the makers of Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza, Steal the Bacon is another fast and fun card game for the whole family!
Skills it builds:
- Processing speed
- Attention
- Working memory
- Visual processing
- Memory
Qwirkle (ages 6+)
This is another classic favorite! Qwirkle is great for a quiet night at home or a high-energy gathering through the holiday season.
Skills it builds:
- Logic and reasoning
- Visual processing
- Critical thinking
- Strategy
- Working memory
Peek & Push (ages 7+)
This is a great quick game of strategy and memory for kids and adults! On your turn, peek at tiles or shift the board to try to create a pattern before your opponent (and try to keep track of where everything’s moving)!
Skills it builds:
- Working memory
- Processing speed
- Visual processing
- Logic & strategy
Fuzzy Logic (ages 10+)
Come up with clues that will help your teammates but confuse opponents! This logic game with a twist is a great pick for groups or family game night.
Skills it builds:
- Logic and strategy
- Outside-the-box and critical thinking
- Working memory
- Word recall
LEGO Chain Reactions (ages 8+)
A different spin on classic LEGO toys, this set gets kids thinking of cause-and-effect and building cool machines!
Skills it builds:
- Logic
- Visual processing
- Attention
- Motor skills
