Benefits of Building Toys and Puzzles

People often think of toys as purely for fun. While they do bring joy to all ages, toys also offer important benefits, even in your later years. Plus, you get to play while you're gaining those benefits. Some perks of using building toys and puzzles as an older adult include:

• Fine motor skills: Building and putting together puzzles requires you to pick up small pieces, combine pieces and have a steady hand to align the parts. Using those fine motor skills can help keep them sharp.
• Focus: To complete a puzzle or building activity, you need focus and concentration. Doing these activities regularly can help increase your focus.
• Problem-solving: Many building and puzzle activities require you to use a little problem-solving, which keeps your mind active. It can also help you improve your general problem-solving skills when you encounter difficult situations.
• Cognitive stimulation: Figuring out puzzles and building activities engages cognitive skills. Brainteaser puzzles can also support your short-term memory.
• Mood: If you enjoy building and puzzles, doing those activities regularly brings happiness and relaxation to your life. It can help you lower your stress levels, manage anxiety and improve your mood.
• Memory recall: Playing often brings back memories from childhood or earlier adult years. It might remind you of playing with your kids. For people with memory loss, reminiscing is often a beneficial activity. Reminiscing also brings up happy memories that can make you feel good.

Types of Products to Try

When choosing building toys and puzzles, consider your interests and ability levels. If you're choosing for a loved one, consider their skills and abilities to ensure they can be successful. Try these suggestions to get started.

LEGO

LEGO is a well-known option when it comes to building toys. Buy a general set with a mix of bricks, or get specific sets with instructions to build a certain item. LEGO offers many sets geared toward adults with various themes such as nature, history, vehicles, nostalgic icons and entertainment. Once you build the sets, they work as decorations for your senior living apartment. For instance, LEGO offers many flower sets you can display in a vase. You can also get flat LEGO sets that replicate artwork.

Alternative Building Block Brands

While LEGO is a classic, it's also an expensive option for building toys. Fortunately, you can find similar building block sets from other brands with lower price tags. These alternative brands offer a wide range of building sets with themes similar to LEGO.

Magnetic Tiles

Brands such as Magna-Tiles offer magnetic building toys that might be easier to assemble for older adults with limited mobility. Many of the flat building pieces are larger, which makes them easier to pick up. The pieces stick together with magnets, so you don't have to align them precisely and press them together like you do with other building toys. Magnetic tiles also allow for lots of creativity because you can arrange the pieces in many different ways.

Marble Runs

Marble run sets include several different channel-style pieces you can assemble into different configurations. When you're done, you drop a marble in the top and watch it roll through your creation. This option allows for more creativity. It's also something you can use over and over again, making new designs each time.

Nostalgic Building Toys

Dig through your attic to look for childhood building toys that bring back memories. You can also buy modern versions of classic building toys like Tinkertoy and Lincoln Logs. Older adults might find joy in building with sets they used as kids. For adults with dementia, this building toy option could serve as a reminiscing activity that sparks old memories.

Models

Think of models as three-dimensional puzzles. You're engaging your mind to assemble the pieces and using your fine motor skills to align them correctly. Models come in a wide range of options, from plastic cars to wooden pieces that fit together to create a structure. Toy models often have small pieces, so be sure you can manage them well.

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles can be relaxing yet stimulating to the brain. With a wide range of how many pieces puzzles have, you can find an option that works for any adult. Puzzles with fewer pieces are often better suited for people with dementia who might not have the focus to handle lots of pieces. Look for puzzles with large pieces if you have vision difficulties or limited dexterity in your hands.

Other Puzzle Games

You can also find a variety of puzzle games, such as brain-teaser puzzles with interlocking pieces you have to get apart. If you prefer virtual games, download puzzle games on your phone. Options include brain-teasers, word puzzles, number puzzles, shape puzzles and more. Using puzzle apps lets you play anywhere and build your cognitive skills when you have downtime.

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