Strengthen Spatial Reasoning Through Play and Practice
Explore a curated collection of games, puzzles, and activities designed to strengthen spatial reasoning for learners of all ages. Each resource is backed by research and easy to use in classrooms, at home, or in community programs—no special equipment required.

Origami
Suitable Age:
7
+
Activities

Origami
Origami is an art form that enhances spatial visualization and perception skills through hands-on learning. It promotes logical and sequential thinking, helping students comprehend and describe shapes using geometric terms like length, width, and height. This resource can be used to explore area by applying formulas to real-world structures.
Activities
|
Age:
7
+

Perspective Drawing
Suitable Age:
7
+
Activities

Perspective Drawing
Learn the fundamental techniques of perspective drawing. This resource explains how to create the illusion of three-dimensional depth and space on a two-dimensional surface. Explore concepts like vanishing points, the horizon line, and the two main types: linear perspective and atmospheric perspective, to make your artwork more realistic.
Activities
|
Age:
7
+

LEGO
Suitable Age:
3
+
Physical Games

LEGO
LEGO sets provide engaging, hands-on experiences for STEM and STEAM learning, activating multiple cognitive skills like spatial reasoning and problem-solving. Through building and programming, students can explore real-world concepts, such as designing space exploration rovers, while developing critical thinking and collaboration abilities.
Physical Games
|
Age:
3
+

Ribuk's Cubes
Suitable Age:
7
+
Physical Games

Ribuk's Cubes
The Rubik's Cube is a classic spatial puzzle that challenges problem-solving and spatial reasoning. This resource introduces the fundamentals of cube mechanics and teaches algorithmic thinking necessary to solve the puzzle. It's an engaging, hands-on tool for understanding geometry, permutations, and abstract thought processes.
Physical Games
|
Age:
7
+

The Talos Principle
Suitable Age:
12
+
Video Games

The Talos Principle
The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle game in the tradition of philosophical science fiction. Players, as an android, solve complex environmental puzzles by diverting drones, manipulating laser beams, and replicating time. Explore a non-linear world to uncover clues about humanity, technology, and civilization, prompting deep reflection on existence and free will.
Video Games
|
Age:
12
+

ThinkFun Gravity Maze
Suitable Age:
7
+
Physical Games

ThinkFun Gravity Maze
ThinkFun Gravity Maze is a gravity-powered logic maze game featuring 60 challenges. Strategically place towers to create a marble path to the target. This STEM toy sharpens logical reasoning, spatial reasoning, planning skills, and visual perception through fun, brain-teaser style gameplay. Perfect for building engineering concepts.
Physical Games
|
Age:
7
+

The Talos Principle
Suitable Age:
12
+
Video Games

The Talos Principle
The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle game in the tradition of philosophical science fiction. Players, as an android, solve complex environmental puzzles by diverting drones, manipulating laser beams, and replicating time. Explore a non-linear world to uncover clues about humanity, technology, and civilization, prompting deep reflection on existence and free will.
Video Games
|
Age:
12
+

Maker's Empire
Suitable Age:
7
+
Video Games

Maker's Empire
Makers Empire provides market-leading 3D design software and accredited professional learning programs for teachers to develop children's spatial reasoning skills, creative confidence, and interest in STEM. Their fun and easy-to-use 3D design app is built for 5-15 year olds and is backed by university research.
Video Games
|
Age:
7
+

Carto
Suitable Age:
12
+
Video Games

Carto
Carto is a charming adventure game featuring a unique, world-altering puzzle mechanic where you rearrange map pieces to change the environment. Join Carto on her journey across mysterious lands to reunite with her family. The game offers a peaceful exploration experience and a colorful cast of characters.
Video Games
|
Age:
12
+

Braid
Suitable Age:
12
+
Video Games

Braid
Braid is a unique puzzle-platformer where you manipulate the flow of time to solve complex puzzles and progress through levels. The protagonist, Tim, journeys through visually stunning worlds attempting to rescue a princess. The game explores themes of time, movement, and narrative complexity, offering a deep and often melancholic experience.
Video Games
|
Age:
12
+

The Room
Suitable Age:
12
+
Video Games

The Room
The Room is a 3D puzzle video game set in an abandoned manor. The core gameplay involves manipulating intricate objects and using a special lens to reveal hidden secrets and codes. The game encourages spatial thinking as players navigate the environment and solve complex puzzles centered around observation and spatial manipulation.
Video Games
|
Age:
12
+

Phasmophobia
Suitable Age:
16
+
Video Games

Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is a four-player co-op horror game where you and your team of paranormal investigators enter haunted locations to gather evidence and identify the ghost type. Use specialized equipment like EMF Readers and Spirit Boxes, while managing your sanity, to complete objectives and survive the chilling, supernatural activity.
Video Games
|
Age:
16
+

LEGO
Suitable Age:
3
+
Physical Games

LEGO
LEGO sets provide engaging, hands-on experiences for STEM and STEAM learning, activating multiple cognitive skills like spatial reasoning and problem-solving. Through building and programming, students can explore real-world concepts, such as designing space exploration rovers, while developing critical thinking and collaboration abilities.
Physical Games
|
Age:
3
+

Ribuk's Cubes
Suitable Age:
7
+
Physical Games

Ribuk's Cubes
The Rubik's Cube is a classic spatial puzzle that challenges problem-solving and spatial reasoning. This resource introduces the fundamentals of cube mechanics and teaches algorithmic thinking necessary to solve the puzzle. It's an engaging, hands-on tool for understanding geometry, permutations, and abstract thought processes.
Physical Games
|
Age:
7
+

ThinkFun Gravity Maze
Suitable Age:
7
+
Physical Games

ThinkFun Gravity Maze
ThinkFun Gravity Maze is a gravity-powered logic maze game featuring 60 challenges. Strategically place towers to create a marble path to the target. This STEM toy sharpens logical reasoning, spatial reasoning, planning skills, and visual perception through fun, brain-teaser style gameplay. Perfect for building engineering concepts.
Physical Games
|
Age:
7
+

Kanoodle
Suitable Age:
7
+
Physical Games

Kanoodle
Kanoodle is a challenging puzzle game designed to boost spatial reasoning and critical thinking. Players solve tricky 2D rectangular and complex 3D pyramid puzzles using colorful connected beads. With multiple levels of difficulty, it's a great hands-on way to improve focus, patience, and problem-solving skills for independent or quiet play.
Physical Games
|
Age:
7
+

Foldology
Suitable Age:
12
+
Physical Games

Foldology
Foldology is an engaging origami puzzle game offering 100 hands-on challenges that range from easy to complex. This brain-teasing activity is designed for tweens, teens, and adults to enhance visual-spatial skills and logical reasoning. It provides screen-free fun and can be a mindful, meditative experience.
Physical Games
|
Age:
12
+

Chess
Suitable Age:
7
+
Physical Games

Chess
Chess is a classic strategy game widely used as an educational tool. This resource provides materials for educators, including lesson plans, puzzles, and guides to help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and concentration. It supports the creation of school clubs and utilizes resources for learning and practice.
Physical Games
|
Age:
7
+

Origami
Suitable Age:
7
+
Activities

Origami
Origami is an art form that enhances spatial visualization and perception skills through hands-on learning. It promotes logical and sequential thinking, helping students comprehend and describe shapes using geometric terms like length, width, and height. This resource can be used to explore area by applying formulas to real-world structures.
Activities
|
Age:
7
+

Perspective Drawing
Suitable Age:
7
+
Activities

Perspective Drawing
Learn the fundamental techniques of perspective drawing. This resource explains how to create the illusion of three-dimensional depth and space on a two-dimensional surface. Explore concepts like vanishing points, the horizon line, and the two main types: linear perspective and atmospheric perspective, to make your artwork more realistic.
Activities
|
Age:
7
+

Brainometry
Suitable Age:
+
Activities

Brainometry
STEM Explorers Brainometry is a fun way to boost geometry knowledge, spatial reasoning, critical thinking, and fine motor skills. Use the 24 colorful, chunky, 3D shapes and double-sided challenge cards to solve brain-teasing 2D pattern puzzles. Ideal for ages 5 and up, this resource makes learning engaging and challenging.
Activities
|
Age:
+

Book Recommendations
Suitable Age:
3
+
Activities

Book Recommendations
A curated list of engaging picture books designed to introduce and reinforce spatial concepts for young learners. These recommendations cover a range of prepositions and positional words, featuring titles like "Behind the Mask," "Up, Down, and Around," "In-Between Things," and "Me on the Map" to expand children's spatial sense through fun stories and illustrations.
Activities
|
Age:
3
+

Vample (Free)
Suitable Age:
7
+
Activities

Vample (Free)
Vample (Free) offers 3D mental rotation training designed to enhance spatial reasoning skills. This free resource from the Vample network utilizes challenging exercises to improve a user's ability to visualize and manipulate three-dimensional objects mentally. It's an accessible tool for students and learners focused on developing spatial awareness.
Activities
|
Age:
7
+
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Atom Learning
Suitable Age:
7
+
Activities
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Atom Learning
Atom Learning is an online educational platform providing comprehensive Key Stage 2 teaching, learning, and exam preparation. It features industry-leading, curriculum-aligned resources for English, maths, science, and reasoning. Utilizing adaptive technology and automated marking, it helps pupils make clear progress and effectively prepare for senior school entrance exams, including the 11+.
Activities
|
Age:
7
+