Puzzles, Challenges, and Playthings - a list by esh

Options for This Page

About this list:

Stuff to put on your desk at work to stimulate your mind and entertain co-workers. They also make interesting gifts for family and friends.

Qualifications:

I get distracted easily

For people who like:

This is:

Viewing 1-10 of 41 Items

Razzle Dazzle

First to recommend

Description

The rules to Razzle Dazzle can be described in about three sentences, so it's extremely easy to learn the basics. My son and I have been playing it a couple days, though, and we are still trying to figure out what the best offense and defense strategies might be. At this point we're pretty sure that it's easier than chess, but not sure if it's harder than checkers. Razzle Dazzle combines chess-knight moves for the wood pieces and chess-queen moves for a marble that jumps between the wood pieces. It's a unique combination that makes for a fairly quick, enjoyable diversion. So far, Nicholas has won all of our games by seeing combination moves that I wasn't able to detect. It must be his chess training at work. (via Firebox)

Updated Dec 27, 2008

List that features this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Power Ball

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

A friend brought a Power Ball to the office and it stopped all productivity for a half hour as each person first tried to figure out how to get it to work and second tried to beat the high score set so far (as recorded on the digital display). This gadget is entertaining, a bit addicitive, and an amazing way to work out your hand and wrist muscles. The first time you pick one up you should make sure you don't have to use your hands for a while afterwards as you will be shocked at how little strength you have left when you finally put down the PowerBall.

Updated Jan 3, 2007

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Cube World

7 people recommended this item

Description

I researched CubeWorld after seeing it on ThisNext and decided to put one cube in each stocking. Not all of the adults got the point, but the kids and I sure enjoyed the antics of these stick figures. It's still fascinating to me to plug a couple of these cubes together and watch a little guy walk across the physical border into another cube. Sure, I'm a programmer and understand how this works, but it still seems a little magical.

Each cube person has its own specialty; each combination of 2 or more cubes produces unique interactions. There are 2 cubes in each package, 4 cubes in each series. Buy all the cubes from a single series: all four in a row or in a tower produce a grand animation (high dive, bunji jumping, etc.) across all of the cubes.

Note to parents: Some of the animations represent mild crude humor or violence, but the effect is tamed by the stick nature of the characters.

. (via keck)

Updated Dec 30, 2006

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Soma puzzle

3 people recommended this item

Description

I loved fooling around with the standard blue plastic Soma cube as a kid. This wood version is a much nicer quality and much more attractive version of the same puzzle. The light and dark colored wood makes for an attractive cube design, but only a few of the many cube solutions produce exactly this pattern giving an extra challenge.

Updated Dec 27, 2006

List that features this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

TIPOVER Crate Game

First to recommend

Description

I guess toys must sell better if you call them a "game" instead of a "puzzle". TIPOVER is really a series of puzzles that can entertain a single person for quite a while, or you can work together to try to solve them.

If you follow the challenge cards in sequence starting with the easiest, they do a great job of letting you discover the principles of the various solution tactics and use these patterns in progressively harder and more complex puzzles.

TIPOVER is challenging for adults and kids enjoy solving the easier levels and may surprise you with how far they get on the tougher ones.

Check out the sample puzzles online to see if you like the general principle, but it's definitely nice to have the physical "crates" to tip over.

This can easily fit in your game closet and can be pulled out when you have puzzle loving friends over.

This page has some bonus challenges you can download and print: http://tipover-challenges.notlong.com

Updated Nov 2, 2006

List that features this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Rush Hour Traffic Jam Puzzle

6 people recommended this item

Description

My 9 year old son and I are working our way through the various puzzles presented by this game. In many ways this game reminds us of the TIPOVER Crate game. Both are a series of puzzles in increasing difficulty. Both involve a small board with a set of cards that show you how to set up each puzzle. Both involve geometric tactics and changing the configuration of the pieces on the board to accomplish a goal. And, both are very, very fun. (via David)

Updated Nov 20, 2006

Lists that feature this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

4D Puzzle by Oskar van Deventer

First to recommend

Description

4D is my favorite puzzle made by George Miller of puzzlepalace.com. It had just the right amount of difficulty for me with a fascinating premise: Solve four mazes at the same time. Each of the individual mazes is connected to two other mazes in different dimensions. I could spend an hour just being impressed with the mechanics of how the pieces of this puzzle move and are connected and related to each other. You can't visualize it from the picture.

When a co-worker dropped the puzzle and one of the acrylic pegs broke, George Miller sent me a replacement (and an extra spare) at no cost. Fantastic quality puzzles and fantastic service.

Updated Nov 16, 2006

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Taxi Puzzle by George Miller & Oskar van Deventer

First to recommend

Description

This is my second favorite puzzle made by George Miller. It's very attractive as are all his wood pieces. It's not too difficult to solve as long as you're willing to keep at it and study the mazes you are solving on both sides.

Hand crafted and sold by George Miller of puzzlepalace.com

Updated Nov 2, 2006

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Horrified B Movie Victims Actor Action Figure Set

2 people recommended this item

Description

Silly, useless, and fun! No office is complete without one of these sets.

Updated Dec 27, 2006

List that features this:

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Perpetual Motion Puzzle by Bill Darah

First to recommend

Description

This is my most recent puzzlepalace.com acquisition. I like the peeks you get at the hidden maze inside as you try to solve it.

Hand crafted and sold by George Miller of puzzlepalace.com

Updated Nov 2, 2006

For people who like:

Comment

This is:

Viewing 1-10 of 41 Items

esh

esh - photo

ThisNext co-founder.

Sites

Give esh a compliment

ThisNext: Become a Member

  • Shopping ideas just for you
  • It's easy and free
  • Takes less than a minute

Sign up now

Lists

Image of esh

I might be carrying

Updated Feb 8, 2008

If you mug me, here are some things you might get to take home.

Image of esh

Gifts for Sharp Nephews and Smart Nieces

Updated Dec 29, 2008

These games will not only be fun for the young folks you give them to, but you will enjoy playing them, too.

Image of esh

Unusual Favorite Movies

Updated Apr 9, 2007

Movies you would not put on your favorite movies list but which are on mine

Image of esh

Gadgets I Trust

Updated Jul 18, 2008

Electronics, tools, office supplies, and other cool and useful things.

Advertisement

ThisNext Information

Copyright ©2005-2009 ThisNext, Inc.