The Power of Play

6 Simple Games That Build Problem-Solving Skills

Why We Need to Raise Problem-Solvers

The other day, I watched my 4-year-old unroll the entire roll of toilet paper just to get the toilet paper roll.

She then took the toilet paper roll, put it in the sink, soaked it, and laid it out to dry.

Once it was dry, she painted it, covered it in tape, and used it as a telescope to find stars and planets.

I stood there watching, equal parts impressed and marveling at the logic behind her choices.

She saw a problem.

She scanned her environment.

And she got to work.

Kids do this all the time. They experiment, adapt, test weird ideas, and invent even weirder ones.

They’re natural problem-solvers.

And this got me thinking:

What if we gave our kids more chances to stretch those problem-solving muscles?

Not with lectures. Not with worksheets. But with something way more powerful—games.
Simple, screen-free, brain-boosting games that invite kids to think differently, try again, and enjoy the process.

Below, I’m sharing a handful of our favorites. No batteries required. Just a little curiosity, a little time, and some childlike curiosity.

But before we get into the games, let’s dive into the research.

What Problem-Solving Looks Like in Kids

Imagine a child meticulously experimenting with various configurations to build a taller block tower, inventing new rules to enhance a card game, or persistently asking "What if?" to explore different scenarios. These behaviors exemplify critical thinking in children, manifesting as curiosity, persistence, pattern recognition, and the willingness to try again after failures.​

Critical thinking in children involves the ability to analyze information, make connections, and solve problems creatively. It's about nurturing their capacity to think independently and approach challenges with confidence. Encouraging children to agree or disagree with ideas and provide reasons for their opinions fosters critical thinking by prompting them to evaluate information critically.

The goal isn't to mold "little geniuses" but to equip our children with the tools to think critically, problem-solve, and navigate the world effectively.

Developing these skills in children builds confidence as they learn to persist through challenges and find solutions, fostering a sense of capability and resilience.

And the best thing is that it also enhances creativity.

When children tackle various scenarios, they learn to think outside the box, consider multiple perspectives, and develop innovative approaches. This creative problem-solving ability is crucial for adapting to new situations and overcoming obstacles throughout life.

In essence, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills in children not only prepares them to handle immediate challenges but also equips them with the confidence, resilience, and creativity necessary for lifelong success.

So how do we actually nurture those skills?

Not with flashcards or formal lessons but through something much simpler and much more effective: play.

So I’ve put together 6 games that are easy to set up, fun to revisit, and surprisingly powerful when it comes to helping kids stretch those critical thinking muscles. Lets get into it.

Game 1: What’s Missing?

How to Play:

• Gather a collection of household items (e.g., a spoon, a toy car, a book).

• Allow your child to observe the items for a minute.

• Ask them to close their eyes while you remove one item.

• Have them identify which item is missing.

What It Teaches:

This classic game strengthens memory and observation skills, helping children recognize patterns and retain details. These are foundational skills for critical thinking and cognitive development. Memory games support focus, spatial reasoning, and mental flexibility in children.

Game 2: Build It, Break It

How to Play:

• Provide materials like blocks, plastic cups, or paper to build a structure.

• Challenge your child to construct the tallest or most stable structure possible.

• Once built, brainstorm safe ways to knock it down from a distance (like tossing a sock).

What It Teaches:

This game promotes experimentation, cause-and-effect thinking, and iteration. As kids build and rebuild, they learn to plan, adjust, and analyze outcomes. Open-ended play like this enhances decision-making, spatial awareness, and flexible thinking.

Game 3: Category Clash

How to Play:

• Pick a broad category (animals, fruits, vehicles).

• Challenge your child to name three items that fit a specific constraint (e.g., “Name three animals that live in water and are scary”).

What It Teaches:

This simple thinking game supports categorization, vocabulary development, and cognitive flexibility. It also encourages divergent thinking—finding more than one “right” answer. Category-based games help children improve their reasoning and verbal expression skills.

Game 4: Puzzle Swap

How to Play:

• Grab two similar jigsaw puzzles.

• Secretly swap one piece between them.

• Ask your child to complete the puzzles and spot the issue.

What It Teaches:

This challenge supports visual logic and problem-solving. Kids must spot visual inconsistencies and troubleshoot how to fix them. Puzzles help children develop short-term memory, pattern recognition, and shape-matching abilities.

Game 5: One Problem, Three Solutions

How to Play:

• Present a fun problem (e.g., “Your stuffed animal fell in a puddle!”).

• Challenge your child to come up with three different ways to fix the situation.

What It Teaches:

This game strengthens creative problem-solving and flexible thinking. It teaches kids there’s often more than one path forward. PositivePsychology.com lists this type of open-ended challenge as one of the most effective ways to support cognitive growth and self-confidence in kids.

Game 6: Code a Path

How to Play:

• Use masking tape to create a simple grid on the floor.

• Place a toy at one end of the grid.

• Have your child give step-by-step commands to help a “robot” (you or another toy) reach it.

What It Teaches:

This activity introduces sequencing, logical reasoning, and basic “if-then” thinking. It’s a playful introduction to programming concepts and computational logic.

Try Them for Yourself

Remember, the beauty of games like these is you don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a moment.

Pick one of these games. Try it today.

It doesn’t have to be polished or even go that smoothly. It just needs a few minutes, a little space, and the willingness to play along.

This isn’t about raising a future chess champion or programming prodigy. It’s about raising a child who isn’t afraid to think, to try, to get it wrong, and to try again. A child who trusts their own ideas and knows you do too.

And maybe, in the process, you’ll find something for yourself as well.