Hobbies And Interests
Block Puzzles
Block puzzles are problem-solving puzzles involving a shape made up of smaller, irregular pieces which must be fitted together in a specific manner. They come in a number of shapes, from cubes to stars, and often have to be put together in a given sequence in order to fit properly. Games like the famous "Rubik's Cube" are also sometimes put in this category, although the challenge of a Rubik's Cube is to fill each of the cube's six sides with squares of only one color, meaning one side should contain nothing but white squares, another should contain only green squares, etc.
Classic Board Games
Games such as chess, Go, checkers, backgammon and mahjong have been around for a long time. Each has its own rules, and while they're often simple to learn the strategies involved can take years of practice to master. Go -- known by a number of other names including "Othello" -- is particularly known for its combination of simplistic rules and wide strategies. Go is played on a board similar to a chess board in that it has rows and columns. The game pieces are white and black. To capture an opponent's pieces you must surround them with pieces of your own color, but this task is complicated by the fact that your opponent's goal is to surround your pieces.
Modern Board Games
Modern board games such as "Monopoly," "Snakes and Ladders," "Clue," etc. are also problem-solving games. In order to win, the players much consider their position on the board and their resources. However, these games also introduce an element of chance through the roll of the dice. While not always considered as such, these games encourage problem-solving abilities while providing entertainment.
Video and Computer Games
Problem-solving has been a theme of video games and computer games since their creation. Ranging from the classic games like "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" to more modern strategy games such as "Civilization," "Spore," "Age of Mythology" and "World of Warcraft," these games often involve problem-solving on many levels, creating a complex situation through which the player must work.
Word Games
While word games run the gamut from board games such as "Scrabble" to pen-and-paper games like crossword puzzles, word games are perhaps the most popular form of problem-solving games and puzzles. However, they not only teach logic and problem-solving, but also language, expanding the player's vocabulary. Crossword puzzles also teach players to think outside the box, often giving clues in a variety of unusual ways.