Logical Toys are toys that require complex thinking and decision making at every step to solve the puzzle. These toys require a series of sequential moves in order to reach the desired goal. These toys require critical thinking while solving them. There are many toys in this category like Peg Solitaire, Parking Puzzles, Noughts and Crosses, Rubik’s Cube, the 15 puzzles etc.

In India, these puzzles are found widely all over the country. Most of these puzzles are made out of wood or plastic.

Logical Toys enhance critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, strategy making skills and decision making skills. The simpler logical toys also help in developing gross motor skills in children. The complex logical toys exercise the mind in a healthy way thereby enhancing patience and concentration.

Here we have discussed several logical toys that are played by children in India.

1. Peg Solitaire Puzzle:
Peg Solitaire is a board game for solo players involving sequential movements of pegs on a board with many holes. It is played by jumping over another peg into an empty hole on the other side. When a peg is hopped over, it is immediately removed from the game board. The aim of the game is to remove the pegs until only one peg is left or until no moves are left for jumping over another peg.

These puzzles help to enhance decision making skills, problem solving skills, concentration, strategizing skills, and patience in the players

2. Parking Puzzles:
Parking puzzles are hand-held puzzles, mostly played by older children. In these puzzles, the traffic challenge has to be first set and then the player has to battle the gridlock to reach the goal by sliding the blocks to clear the path.

These puzzles help in enhancing logical thinking, problem solving skills, concentration, decision making skills and in improving fine motor skills.

3. Rubik’s Cube:
Rubik’s Cube is a 3D cubical combination puzzle with multicolored squares interconnected together with a pivot mechanism. The players turn and twist the squares such that all the squares on each face of the cube are of the same color.

Rubik’s Cube is a very popular puzzle with teenagers. Due to its popularity, differently shaped cubes are also available which adds more challenge.

4. 15 Puzzle:
The 15 puzzle is a handheld sliding puzzle. It is made up of a square frame with space for 4*4 tiles. There are 15 tiles set within the frame and space for 1 tile is left empty. The object of the game is to arrange the tiles in order by sliding the tiles vertically or horizontally into an empty space. The tiles are usually numbered 1 to 15 or the tiles could be pieces of a complete picture.

This puzzle is popular with 4 to 10-year-old children. However, it is enjoyed by both young and old. This puzzle helps in enhancing patience, critical thinking ability and problem solving skills.