Puzzles and printables to send a sick kid.
February 7, 2012 4:47 AM Subscribe
Cool puzzles, illusions and whatever else you think would entertain a very bright 9 year old boy who is going to be spending the next number of weeks in hospital. Printable would be a bonus.
Due to circumstances I am unable to visit but want to send something in the mail every day. I am going to limit it to things that I can print/draw. I am looking for things that will entertain, amuse and kill time. I am trawling though
The Moscow Puzzles for puzzles suitable for his age. I also found some good ideas in this thread especially this dragon illusion.
Any puzzles I send will have a smaller envelope inside with the answer, also a difficulty rating and a hint if he wants one. He has tons of books and access to games consoles etc I think that he will get a buzz out of getting a hand-picked puzzle/illusion each day.
I am going to order this book today and send them one by one if the book can be suitable disassembled. Any other book suggestions would be welcome.
Due to circumstances I am unable to visit but want to send something in the mail every day. I am going to limit it to things that I can print/draw. I am looking for things that will entertain, amuse and kill time. I am trawling though
The Moscow Puzzles for puzzles suitable for his age. I also found some good ideas in this thread especially this dragon illusion.
Any puzzles I send will have a smaller envelope inside with the answer, also a difficulty rating and a hint if he wants one. He has tons of books and access to games consoles etc I think that he will get a buzz out of getting a hand-picked puzzle/illusion each day.
I am going to order this book today and send them one by one if the book can be suitable disassembled. Any other book suggestions would be welcome.
Response by poster: Sticherbeast - that is precisely the kind of thing I am looking for. Thanks a lot.
posted by therubettes at 4:59 AM on February 7, 2012
posted by therubettes at 4:59 AM on February 7, 2012
Best answer: It's not a puzzle, but Ruth Heller designs for coloring kept an entire floor of customer service phone reps amused for a summer when we weren't allowed internet access.
posted by xingcat at 5:12 AM on February 7, 2012
posted by xingcat at 5:12 AM on February 7, 2012
Best answer: Glad you liked the Sam Loyd puzzles. Since his work is in the public domain, go ahead and download his full Cyclopedia of Puzzles. Be aware, though, that there are unfortunately some really awful racist caricatures in them - obviously, skip those.
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:26 AM on February 7, 2012
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:26 AM on February 7, 2012
Best answer: My kid and her friends all love doing logic puzzles these days - example. Easy to find & print.
posted by mikepop at 5:26 AM on February 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by mikepop at 5:26 AM on February 7, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I am a big fan of Conceptis's Pick-a-pix puzzles. You need a login, but they are free and can be printed. (Actually, now that I just logged in for the first time in about 2 years, I see they have changed to having points to "purchase" the puzzles. Not quite sure how that works yet.)
There are a number of other puzzle types that Conceptis has which were similarly fun as the pick a pix.
posted by chiefthe at 6:01 AM on February 7, 2012
There are a number of other puzzle types that Conceptis has which were similarly fun as the pick a pix.
posted by chiefthe at 6:01 AM on February 7, 2012
Response by poster: I hate to be the person who marks all the answers as best answer, but those are some really great recommendations. Thanks to you all.
posted by therubettes at 6:15 AM on February 7, 2012
posted by therubettes at 6:15 AM on February 7, 2012
YMMV on how much printing you actually want to do, but The Dungeon of D is highly recommended, is for ages 8 and up, and is a free solo-player D&D-style adventure game. This recommendation thread from Board Game Geek looks great.
posted by Shepherd at 6:58 AM on February 7, 2012
posted by Shepherd at 6:58 AM on February 7, 2012
I love the little dragon at Grand Illusions
http://www.grand-illusions.com/
Go to the optical illusions tab, there are quite a few pages of them, the dragon is great though.
I'm on my phone and can't get the links to work, sorry.
posted by BoscosMom at 7:18 AM on February 7, 2012
http://www.grand-illusions.com/
Go to the optical illusions tab, there are quite a few pages of them, the dragon is great though.
I'm on my phone and can't get the links to work, sorry.
posted by BoscosMom at 7:18 AM on February 7, 2012
At that age, I was obsessed with Altair Designs and Polysymetrics colouring books. The link above to the Altair website has great interactive colouring pages, but you can also find them online and print them out to send to him.
posted by Joh at 8:54 AM on February 7, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by Joh at 8:54 AM on February 7, 2012 [2 favorites]
One Billion Mazes, with answers, all printable PDFs. (previously linked on the Blue)
posted by SisterHavana at 1:46 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by SisterHavana at 1:46 PM on February 7, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks all. Some great suggestions there.
posted by therubettes at 3:39 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by therubettes at 3:39 PM on February 7, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Sticherbeast at 4:55 AM on February 7, 2012