The Brain Boosting Gift Guide is here! To follow up on the freshened Favorite Family Brain Games post, I’ve created this guide with even more than games. Most are my personal favorites, others look fun to try, or are new twists on classics. So let’s jump in to the brain boosting gift guide!
Classic Games:
All of these games will work at least two cognitive and/or memory areas of your brain. They are some of my personal favorites and used often with my memory wellness clients. Play the traditional way, then feel free to change it up to fit yours or a loved one’s personal memory wellness abilities. Any way you play these they will boost your brain!
Chronology This game is for the history buffs. Involving history, dates, ordering, sequencing, and simple logic, it will help put history and memories into chronological order while having family fun!
Trivial Pursuit Yes, it’s the classic that started all the trivia games but is so for a reason. Introduce a new generation to the classic this holiday season!
Blokus One of my all time favorite games in a slightly oversized version making it easier for small or aging hands. This visual logic and strategy game would make a fun, brain boosting addition to your family game night!
Qwixx This is a new one for me, but looks like a great way to work on math and numbers. Being a word girl who still wants to to work all areas of my brain, this looks like a fun way to do it!
Qwirckle This visually stimulating, ordering and sequencing game is a favorite. I play it in the traditional way, but also in a simpler way with those with more advanced memory issues, or even with small kids. It’s a wonderful game to adapt for all ages and abilities!
Distraction This is a perfect game to teach anyone how to remember long strings of numbers (or anything for that matter). It’s a fun way to sharpen memory and attention with something that happens all the time-distractions!
Zingo is a fun bingo game for kids that’s enjoyable for the whole family. I love this little game which builds word recognition in a easy visual way. Great for kids and also with those experiencing memory and/or word finding issues since it works with words as pictures, too. Check out the whole family of products-there’s Zingo numbers, Zingo sight words for early readers, and Zingo word builder which helps with spelling.
Puzzles:
Whether they are jigsaw, visual, 3D, or a brain busting challenge, there is something for everyone in this list of puzzles!
Rubik’s Pyramid The classic in a different form. See if this one puzzles as much as the original.
Kanoodle This pocket size visual, tactile, logic puzzle is a great stocking stuffer for anyone. The perfect gift for the traveler who wants to boost their brain on the go!
Chromacube I love the look of this one and bought it for myself too! If you love the challenge of 3D, visual, logic puzzles like me, get this one for yourself and/or as a gift!
Beautiful Blooms Puzzle This beautiful jigsaw puzzle is for the flower lovers/gardeners on your list. Classic and will make you think of summer!
Krypt Puzzle If you’re looking for a jigsaw puzzle challenge, here it is! Expand your brain cells with the many nuances in this puzzle-sure to keep you going on a cold winter night!
Cathedral Door Puzzle This one looks amazing and I cannot wait to do this over the holidays! Not your normal puzzle, its different shapes will challenge your visual, tactile, logic, and memory centers. A great gift and challenge for the puzzle lovers in your life!
Artsy Brain Boosting Gift Ideas
Coloring Books have become such a trend but the brain boosting benefit is clear. The act of simple coloring can engage many parts of our brain while also calming our minds and relieving stress. Perfect for the introvert, art lover, or stressed person on your list!
101 Mandalas Coloring Book I remember having a book like this in middle and high school and would use it often. This one looks amazing and appreciate its printing on single pages to save if desired. Intricate patterns for more advanced coloring enthusiasts.
Small Victories Coloring Book looks so cute with its small picture/vignettes. Perfect if you only have a few moments or want a smaller picture to color. This is one I’ll be gifting (and ordering for myself) this Christmas!
You know I wouldn’t suggest these coloring books without the some tried and true colored pencils and quality art markers to complete your masterpieces! Give the coloring a try and see if it doesn’t ease stress and boost your brain in the process!
Gifts to Plan, Reflect, & Enjoy!
These final gift suggestions may be what you put on your wish list (or just gift yourself like I do!) All of these I have purchased multiple times for myself and others and I highly recommend!
I got away from using a paper planner when my digital calendar replaced it. But I still always had a paper to-do list and missed the visual layout of seeing the whole month and week. After trying a few with all the belles and whistles, my search for a good paper planner finally landed on this Planner for the last three years. I like the visual of the whole month for planning, the timed part on the bottom of the page for appointments, and the blank top of the page for my to-do list. It serves multiple purposes and I can make it as detailed as I want. It’s a keeper for me, see what you think!
A fellow left brained friend created this line-a day journal a few years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. I buy multiples each year for myself and as gifts. I use it to jot down a daily Bible verse and then tidbits of my day. Each double page layout has a small space for each day while also seeing the other month’s entries from that same date. It’s a way of micro journaling and seeing life unfold as you look back on previous month’s entries daily. There are also some additional prompts each month and (my favorite) the deluxe version also has quarterly and yearly planning pages in the back. It’s a wonderful resource I hope you enjoy as much as I do!
While researching all these items, I was thinking ahead to the weekend and one of my favorite things to do is to linger with a good cup of coffee. When I have more time, I like to use this French Press coffee maker to make a few cups as I plan, journal, or read. If you love a little brain boosting coffee, check it out and enjoy!
If you still need a gift for that certain someone who wants to boost their brain, don’t forget about Brain Boosters! It’s a self-study in memory wellness full of education, memory tips and techniques, and over 200 mental fitness activities sure to keep your brain busy!
I hope this brain boosting gift guide helps you find just the right gift for someone you love (or yourself) to boost your brain in a fun way!