Created in Collaboration with Timeless Toys (Harrisonburg, VA) and Pufferbellies Toys & Books (Staunton, VA)
Here’s your guide for the best brain-boosting games and toys for the 2025 Christmas season!
This year we’re excited to bring you one of our favorite traditions in collaboration with two local toy stores, Timeless Toys and Pufferbellies, to make your holiday shopping easy, smart, and supportive of local businesses!
Below you’ll find brain-building gift ideas for all ages and skill levels, broken down into categories for easy browsing. These are all screen-free, hands-on picks to spark connection and joy this season!
Family Game Night Favorites
Scroll through to see what made the list or see the chart below for more details! →
| Game | Description | Age | Top Skills Engaged |
Okay, Genius… |
Hilarious and absurd questions: Engage in lively debates with absurd questions that spark laughter and creativity. | 14+ |
|
Dumpster Dice |
This easy-to-learn, fast-paced game has multiple ways to play, making it perfect for multigenerational family game nights. | 6+ |
|
Play Nine |
Play your hand right to try to achieve the lowest score (but watch out for the sand traps and challenges along the way!) | 8+ | |
Aggravation |
It’s a classic, and we love this option for kids and adults alike to race to bring all your marbles “home”! | 6+ |
|
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza |
This will probably be on every game list we make! We love this one for a quick, fun family game night that gets everyone learning and laughing. | 5+ |
|
Dutch Blitz |
Easy to learn but a constant challenge, Dutch Blitz will have the whole family on their feet racing to win! | 8+ |
|
Outfoxed! |
This cooperative game has you move around the board to gather clues and then use the special evidence scanner to rule out suspects. It’s a great early board game to teach teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving! | 5+ |
|
Shut the Box |
Practice some simple mental math and strategy in this addicting game the whole family will love. | 6+ |
|
Mantis Card Game |
Steal or score your way to the top in this deceptively fun simple game you can play with the ease of Uno but the depth of Gin Rummy! | 7+ |
|
Mexican Train Dominoes |
Great for smaller or larger groups, the classic game of Mexican Train Dominoes is sure to become a family favorite! | 8+ |
|
Triominos |
A unique take on classic dominoes that takes it to the next level, Triominos gets you strategizing, matching, and scoring points. | 7+ |
|
Solo Games, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers
Scroll through to see what made the list or see the chart below for more details! →
| Game | Description | Age | Top Skills Engaged |
IQ Stars |
With over 120 challenges, this puzzle will challenge anyone to try to fit all of the stars onto the grid. It’s a great game for travel or quiet moments when hands and brains need something to do! | 6+ |
|
Instant Insanity |
It’s a classic brain-bending puzzle that seems simple but will keep the whole family trying to find the right solutions! | 7+ |
|
Cat Stax |
This one’s a Pufferbellies favorite! Select a challenge card and get all of the cats arranged perfectly within the guidelines. | 8+ |
|
One in a Chameleon |
Choose the chameleons that match the colors, then test your visual-spatial skills to find all the right hiding places! | 6+ |
|
STEM & Building Kits
Scroll through to see what made the list or see the chart below for more details! →
| Game | Description | Age | Top Skills Engaged |
Solar Race Car Kit |
This is a great hands-on STEM gift! Build a functional solar-powered race car and learn more about the science of solar energy. | 8+ |
|
Plus-Plus Blocks |
A versatile building toy, these small blocks have unlimited potential to be turned into some amazing creations! The tubes are perfect to stick in a stocking for kids of all ages. | 5+ |
|
CDX Roller Coaster Kits |
Created by a native Shenandoah Valley roller coaster engineer, these real-life models of roller coasters are great introductions to engineering and problem-solving for your at-home builders! (And you can get a small engine to power them for even more fun!) | 10+ |
|
Connetix Rainbow Ball Run Expansion |
Turn magnetic tiles into a ball run with this fun expansion pack! Practice engineering, problem-solving, and visual-spatial skills to complete the course. | 3+ |
|
Creative Kids Corner: Smart Arts & Crafts
Scroll through to see what made the list or see the chart below for more details! →
| Game | Description | Age | Top Skills Engaged |
Origami Farm |
Perfect for crafty, creative kids, Origami Farm leads you step-by-step through creating creatures out of provided origami paper! | 8+ |
|
My Simple Sewing Kit |
Create food-themed fun projects with this simple kit that teaches the basics of sewing! | 4+ |
|
Spirograph |
Make mesmerizing patterns and create works of art with a classic Spirograph! Check out these fun alternatives for a junior version for younger kids and even a travel sized option (great for a stocking stuffer!) | 5+ |
|
LED Light Tracing Board |
For budding artists, architects, or illustrators, this tracing board is adjustable and appropriate for all skill levels. | 11+ |
|
Paint by Sticker Books |
A mess-free option to create works of art, Paint by Sticker books are perfect for quiet moments of creativity! | 4+ |
|
Beadlings |
With over 3,500 seed beads in 9 different colors, you can make 24 oh-so-small (adorable!) designs! | 8+ |
|
Colorforms |
Create works of art over and over again with these sticker-like shapes! Check out all of the available options here to expand your masterpiece. | 3+ |
|
For Developing Brains: Baby & Toddler Items
| Game | Description | Age | Top Skills Engaged |
PlayTab |
This is a great sensory/developmental busy board for babies and toddlers with repositionable tiles to keep things interesting! Grab the base and then interchange tiles to engage small hands (and minds). | 6mo+ |
|
Lock & Learn Play Board |
Engage little hands with this busy board that teaches problem-solving while engaging fine motor skills! | 1+ |
|
Sensory & Fidget Favorites
| Game | Description | Age |
Gump |
It’s a soft & squishy stress ball that gives you the satisfaction of slime—without the mess! | 5+ |
NeeDoh Nice Ice Baby |
A mini version of a favorite fidget toy, this is a great option to throw in a stocking for anyone on your list! | 5+ |
Twiddle Dragon Egg |
This is an enchanting fidget toy with a beautiful egg, sensory/fidgety dragon, and a bonus mini dragon figure thrown in! | 5+ |
We’re so grateful for the teams at Pufferbellies and Timeless Toys for their collaboration and support in creating this smart gift guide!
Have a very Merry Christmas, and we hope these gifts build more than just brain skills this season—we hope they’re a springboard for more play, fun, and connection for you and your loved ones!