Sudoku is a puzzle game involving numbers on a grid. It is a grid box with nine spaces across and nine spaces down. However, the spaces are actually divided even further into three-by-three grid boxes put together to create the full nine-by-nine grid box. Some of the grid squares will have numbers already in them. The goal is to figure out which number (1 to 9) belongs in each square. The trick is that a number cannot appear more than once in each column, row or three-by-three square. The more numbers there are already filled in, the easier the puzzle will be to figure out. Suduko puzzles require concentration, attention to detail and problem solving skills.
TriBond is a game of associations. Each TriBond card has three words on it, and the goal is for the player to figure out what all three words have in common. For example, a card might read, "storm, needle, potato." The player figures out that each of these items has an eye.
Playing TriBond will help develop vocabulary and the ability to identify commonalities and loose connections between words, enhance deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills, and develop the ability to work as a team, if the game is played in teams.
A word picture puzzle, or Rebus, is solved by studying the words and letters shown, as well as how they are displayed or arranged. These puzzles challenge kids to think outside the box and to use their observation skills to solve a problem. Here is an example of a Rebus: VA DERS. The answer is "Space Invaders" because there is a space in the word vaders.
Here is another example: JOBINJOB. The answer is "in between jobs" because the word "in" is located between the two instances of the word "job."
This puzzle game is a twist on a traditional scavenger hunt. Players are given a clue to a specific location. They have to figure out the clue to get the correct location. When they find the correct location, they will find the next clue. The scavenger hunt can be themed around a particular lesson or topic being studied. Participating in clue scavenger hunts enables kids the opportunity to work as a team, use listening and reasoning skills and strengthen their problem-solving skills.