[For Seniors] Great for Brain Training! Enjoy Handmade Puzzles

Picture-matching box

How to Make a Shape-Sorting Box (Monthly Day, June 2021 Issue)

It’s a box you can manipulate to enjoy how the images on each face change.

First, use thick paper to make four cubes, line them up, and tape them together, adding a mechanism that lets the faces flip inside out.

If you attach photos or drawings divided into four parts onto each face, the box is complete.

Since the range of motion is limited, you don’t have to think too hard about how to move it—you can simply enjoy the straightforward transformation of the images.

By giving the artwork a theme, such as seasonal changes, you can also enjoy a sense of unity in the piece.

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Picture-matching puzzle from a 100-yen shop

Let's make a DIY toy/matching picture puzzle with 100-yen shop items

It’s a puzzle game where you match picture tiles you have on hand to the same pictures shown in a grid.

Making it is simple: attach pictures to the compartments of a sectioned case, and attach the same pictures to plastic bottle caps.

A key point is that the bottle caps are just slightly larger than the grid squares—pressing them into the squares also helps train finger dexterity.

Because the activity develops decision-making by having players find matches based on the grid’s pictures, it’s also recommended to mix in some dummy pictures that don’t appear in the grid.

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Slide puzzle

[Brain Training] Fun for Kids and Adults! How to Make a Sliding Puzzle

This is a puzzle game where you use the empty squares to move adjacent pieces and aim to match colors.

It’s important to think through the sequence of moves that will bring you closer to the desired arrangement.

Another appealing aspect is how easy it is to prepare: use a piece of cardboard with drawn grid lines as the frame, and bottle caps with stickers as the pieces.

If there are too few piece types or grid squares, you might complete it just by moving randomly; in that case, try a version with more squares.

We recommend starting with the rule of lining up each color in a row, then progressing to a more challenging pattern where you arrange numbers in order.

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Hishimochi Puzzle

@e6u42

Hishimochi Puzzle ★★ A game where two red and two white players stack colored boxes to match the sample. It serves as brain training. Materials: 36 empty milk soap boxes, origami paper in three colors, and paper cups with 2 male dolls and 2 female dolls attached.#Asahikawa#Asahikawatranslation#WelfareCaregiverCaregivingElderlyNurse#KohakuHome-visit nursingHelper RecruitmentCaregiver recruitmentTarget practice#ElderlyRecreationRecreation for the elderlybeanbags#activities#kindergartan#preschoolactivities#elderycare#older#nursinghome#movement#activating#happykid#etkinlik#kidsactivies#homeschool#preschoolactivities

♪ Happy Doll Festival – Yumi Baba / Wakakusa Children’s Choir

I want to play at the Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day) event! Here’s an idea for a hishi-mochi puzzle.

It’s a unique puzzle where you combine pieces while looking at a sample.

You’ll need 36 empty boxes, origami paper, paper cups, and illustrations of Hina dolls.

The three colors are the key point of the hishi-mochi puzzle, but if you change the colors, it could be used for other events too.

It’s important to prepare empty boxes that are the same shape and size.

Definitely give it a try!

Straw Brain-Training Puzzle

[Super Easy] Brain-Training Puzzle Using Straws

This is a puzzle game where you move a 3D-connected shape made of straws to see what forms you can create.

You cut six straws in half and connect them with string.

First, arrange three squares in a row and extend one side at the top and bottom.

Next, fold those extended sides back and connect them to the square on the opposite side to complete the whole puzzle.

Because the puzzle is connected in three dimensions, you can form not only flat shapes but also solids like cubes—so try moving it freely and play around.

To expand the range of movement, it’s also recommended to use elastic rubber cord instead of string.

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A 3D puzzle made from a milk carton

Milk carton 3D puzzle

This activity involves making identical parts from milk cartons and having fun by combining the finished pieces in different ways.

It’s important to measure carefully so the parts are the same size; that consistency contributes to a unified look when they’re lined up and good balance when they’re stacked.

Try various games—like creating patterns by arranging the pieces or competing to see who can stack them the highest—to give the brain a solid workout.

You can also make use of the package designs and turn it into a game where you aim to reconstruct the original shape; that raises the difficulty level and is highly recommended.

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Olympic Games with a cap puzzle

[Senior Recreation] List Olympic Events: Easy Puzzle Made with Plastic Bottle Caps – How to Make and Play ★ Plus: Summer Vegetable Origami Activities

It’s a puzzle game where you combine letters written on plastic bottle caps to complete words that match a given theme.

Write several theme-related words on paper, cut out each character, and attach one character to each bottle cap to create the pieces.

Even with a set theme, the more letters there are, the harder it becomes to arrange them correctly.

As a hint, it’s a good idea to use different cap colors so players can roughly sort them.

Mixing in katakana along with hiragana can also serve as helpful clues.

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