You may consider construction toys to be for children, who certainly gain a lot from them, but many adults also enjoy the challenge of creating something new. 'Meccano' was created by Frank Hornby, who also invented the model railways bearing his name and 'Dinky Toys'. 'Meccano' first appeared on the market in 1901. Hornby's original name for it was 'Mechanics Made Easy' and it was based on the toys he had created for his own sons. America copied the idea using the name 'Erector' with Meccano acquiring this brand in 1990.
'Meccano' consists of metal strips which are connected to create various designs using nuts and bolts. Recent ranges include making a version of the Eiffel Tower, a space rocket and a robot.
2. Lego
Answer: Construction
'Lego' was developed in Denmark and the company is still based there. The blocks were first sold in 1949 and were created by a carpenter named Ole Kirk Christiansen. Although usually considered a child's toy, the company has created many ranges aimed at adults. 'Lego' has become so well known that there are films, video games and clothing ranges based on the brand.
'Lego' bricks come in various sizes of blocks, which can be pressed together to make whatever the owner wishes, and a range of different colours. Many sets are sold with a specific item in mind for the purchaser to make, although general sets are still available to spark the imagination and creativity of the person using them.
3. Tinkertoy
Answer: Construction
Dating from 1914, the 'Tinkertoy' construction sets were created in the USA. Since 1986 the business has been owned by Hasbro. The construction set was developed by Charles H. Pajeau, a stone mason by trade, who was inspired to create the toy after seeing children use pencils and other objects during imaginative play.
The sets, originally, wood, consist of items such as a spool and sticks cut into various sizes. The first item to catch on was a Ferris wheel, but the toy is meant to spark the imagination of the child, who can create whatever comes to their mind.
4. Newton's Cradle
Answer: Executive
Apparently, executives need games to reduce their stress levels and Newton's cradle is one that has been around since the 1960s - the concept behind it is, of course, much older. The most common is made from metal and consists of five metal balls in a frame. The balls can be set in motion and swing from side to side.
The principles behind the game come from physics and demonstrate two principles - the conservation of energy and the conservation of momentum.
5. Fidget Spinner
Answer: Executive
Extremely popular from 2017, fidget spinners are a stress reducing gadget and are often described as an executive toy. They can provide a diversion and a release for anxiety and have also been marketed as helpful to neuro-divergent personalities, although there does not seem to be any reliable research to support this assertion. The patent for them was given to the American inventor Scott McCoskery.
The design consists of a central, flat disc containing a ball bearing surrounded by three (most often) moveable sections which can be spun around the middle part. Watching the sections spin around is a distraction for those who need to relieve their stress.
6. Stress Ball
Answer: Executive
Stress balls are often found in other shapes so may be known as stress relievers. They are designed to fit into one hand and are soft enough to be squeezed, giving the person using them to relieve tension. They have become so popular that they are used as promotional items to advertise certain companies, distributed as gifts to customers.
The original idea of having something harmless to relieve stress appears to date from the late 1980s when an executive saw the potential in having something that wouldn't cause damage when thrown. He created the first stress ball, marketing it under the patented name of 'Stressball' and it became a success. They now come in a wide range of designs. I once had one in the shape of a pink hippopotamus, but made the mistake of leaving it within reach of my dog. The debris left did not do much to reduce my stress levels.
7. Wordle
Answer: Puzzle
'Wordle' is an online word puzzle which took the world by storm in 2021. It was created by Josh Wardle who accepted an offer from the New York Times Company to sell the game in January 2022. Wardle said the attention on him and his family had become too much and the offer was very acceptable financially.
The game itself is deceptively simple. Players have a five by five blank grid in which to enter a word as a guess. Any letters which are correct and in the correct place are highlighted in green while any which are in the word but not in the right box are marked in yellow. Those which don't appear at all are grey. Armed with the information garnered, players continue guessing until they get the right answer or run out of moves.
8. Wasgij
Answer: Puzzle
If you looked closely at the name, you might have spotted that it is 'jigsaw' spelled in reverse. The game is a jigsaw puzzle, but with a twist. The picture on the box is not the one that will appear as the jigsaw is assembled. Instead, it is a clue as the people in the picture are looking at something and that is the picture you are piecing together in the puzzle.
The pictures use cartoon images, rather than real people, in both the clue image and the finished jigsaw. Numerous versions are available, with nearly 150 different options available according to the website in early 2025.
9. Sudoku
Answer: Puzzle
'Sudoku' is a numbers puzzle, usually said to have originated in Japan although earlier, very similar, games appeared in newspapers as long ago as the late nineteenth century. The modern version, and name, spread from Japan in the late 1990s and began appearing in the UK in 2004 in 'The Times' newspaper.
The game consists, usually, of nine grids, some of which have numbers in them. Each grid has to be completed with the numbers from one to nine with no number repeated in any column, row or grid. It can be classed as a type of logic puzzle.
10. Reversi
Answer: Board Game
Board games have been around for years and still provide much enjoyment for families even in the digital world we now live in. Among the long established games are 'Monopoly' and 'Clue/Cluedo', but 'Reversi' is even older, dating from 1883.
The game is strategic and can be played by only two people at a time. The game involves a board with 64 identical spaces and 64 playing pieces, which are reversible having a light and dark side. Each player chooses either light or dark and takes turns in placing their game piece on the board. The aim is to get more of your colour showing when the game ends, but strategy means that your opponent can reverse your pieces to their shade by careful placement. A more recent version of the game is called 'Othello'.
11. Articulate!
Answer: Board Game
'Articulate!' is a relatively new board game, dating from 1992. It can be played by any number of players from four to twenty and is recommended for ages twelve and upwards - a children's version is available. It was created by the British company Drumond Park, which also has a range of other board games.
Game play is in teams. The 'describer' is given one of the six categories, which are Nature, Person, Action, World, Random and Object, and has to describe things which fit the category but without using the word itself. Various other rules apply, and the game is won by the team with the most correct guesses.
12. Shogi
Answer: Board Game
Shogi is a board game designed for two players, and originated in Japan. It is often referred to as Japanese chess. The origins are unclear with some sources saying it dates from the sixth century while others refer to the ninth century - whichever it is, the game has ancient origins. The current version dates from the seventeenth century.
As with chess, the objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent's king. The pieces are different though, with pieces of identical shape but with script on them to identify them. The different pieces are named the king, bishop, knight and rook, with other pieces being the gold general, silver general, the lance and the pawn. As with western chess, strategy is key to winning the game.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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