If you think games, particularly screen-free ones, are just for kids, you may be missing out. In fact, strengthening your brain with “mentally active” sedentary behavior can actually reduce your risk of dementia, according to experts (not to mention keep you off your phone). If you need a fun but reasonably challenging game to get started, Kanoodle has enchanted our newsroom for just $10 a pop.This pocket-sized puzzle game is compact, customizable to different difficulty levels and contains up to 227 2D and 3D puzzles, meaning you can play over and over again without growing stale. The objective is to fit all 12 colorful, differently-shaped pieces, which are called noodles, into the correct positions on the game board (that doubles as the carrying case), depending on the starting point you’re given in the included booklet.If you’re worried about declining cognitive function or simply want to keep your brain stimulated, a game like Kanoodle is a great place to start. Multiple experts have confirmed this in previous reporting, noting that learning new games can keep your brain in shape and offer cognitive benefits by activating a variety of mental functions.AmazonThe booklet has 227 different puzzles for you to solve that range across difficulty levels.But Kanoodle is good for more than just sharpening your mind. In fact, three different members of the HuffPost Shopping team personally own the game, and all of them love it for different reasons.“I absolutely love Kanoodle. It’s a really neat game that feels like it’s training my cognitive muscles, much like playing crosswords or word games on my phone, except without a screen,” said Kevin Cortez, sales shopping editor. “It’s tactile, so I can just dump all the pieces out on a table, and it’s really attractive, thanks to how colorful they are.” (Just note: The noodles aren’t magnetic, so reviewers advise caution before playing in the car or anywhere dropping pieces would be a real pain.)Shopping analytics editor Lily Alig similarly loves the fun but screen-free nature of this activity, particularly in situations where you might typically be tempted to reach for your phone. “My boyfriend and I picked up the game on a whim and I spent the rest of the night messing with it while we watched a movie,” she said. “I love having something to do with my hands when I’m watching TV, and this is the perfect level of engaging.”Cortez’s praise also caught the attention of HuffPost managing editor of commerce, Emily Ruane, whose whole family has been loving Kanoodle. “I was extremely intrigued when Kevin brought this up in a recent meeting, so I impulse-added it to my Amazon cart — and it’s honestly the best $10 I’ve spent in a while,” Ruane said. “It arrived when I was about to go out to lunch with my kids and I loved how neatly it fit into my small handbag and how occupied it kept them at the restaurant. Thanks to the booklet of puzzles that it comes with, my 6-year-old can do this independently and find a challenge that works for her. It’s basically the size of a large iPhone and is so light and portable; it’s the perfect analog distraction.”Emily Ruane/HuffPostThe game board and case — about the size of a smartphone — are one and the same, making it compact and portable.But both Cortez and Ruane found, like Alig, that this is as useful for adults as it is kids. “It almost feels like an adult version of a baby plaything,” Cortez explained. “It secretly teaches you spatial awareness and reminds you just how rewarding it can feel to problem-solve in ways you normally wouldn’t otherwise. As someone who loves puzzles and spends his time on the internet all day, this is just such a nice break from the norm.”Ruane confirmed, “It’s definitely not just for kids — I find myself reaching for it instead of my phone when I have downtime in the evenings. Something about it just calls to my brain, and working out the puzzles definitely feels better than scrolling. I’ve managed to solve the 2D puzzles a few times, but I haven’t cracked any of the 3D ones yet — that’s my next challenge.” (P.S. Here’s a hack to give you even more to work with: One reviewer says you can turn some of the easier puzzles into harder ones by preloading fewer noodles on the board.)Simply put, this is a fun, easy and cheap way to both keep yourself off your phone and look out for your brain health. Below, you’ll find even more praise for this pocket-sized puzzle from reviewers who love it for their kids, for their elders and for themselves. At a cost of just $10, what do you have to lose?“Kanoodle is the perfect mix of fun and frustration! I bought it thinking I’d breeze through the puzzles—turns out, I’m not as smart as I thought. It’s addictive, though… I keep saying “just one more puzzle” and suddenly it’s midnight and I’m questioning my life choices. Great for keeping your brain sharp and your ego humble. Highly recommend if you enjoy feeling both proud and mildly defeated at the same time!” — Wendy K“This is such a fun little game that you can easily take along with you to pretty much anywhere because of how compact it is. It has a great value for the cost. The design is also perfect because everything fits snugly into the case. The quality is also really good too. I have played this puzzle many times now and there are no scuffs or scratches on any parts of the pieces or case. So definitely has great quality. It’s also very easy to put together! Love this product!” — Sophie“I bought this game for my mother in December 2025. She is elderly, and I was hoping it would give her a fun and engaging way to spend her time. At first, my son had to sit with her and help her distinguish between the purple and blue colors in the print design, as the colors were very close and difficult for her to tell apart. Once she got past that initial hurdle, the game became challenging yet manageable for her.Since then, she has been playing it on a daily basis. To my surprise, when the grandkids come to visit, they also enjoy picking a challenging pyramid to solve. It’s been wonderful to see the excitement of everyone for this little object. Couldn’t be happier with this purchase!” — Tea leaf“We picked up the Kanoodle brain teaser game and it’s been a huge hit in our house. Both my 5-year-old and 8-year-old absolutely love it, which says a lot because it can keep their attention without feeling like “work.” The puzzles range in difficulty, so younger kids can start with the easier challenges while older kids (and even adults) can really put their brains to the test. I’ve caught myself playing with it more than once!The game itself is small but very well made. The pieces feel sturdy and fit together nicely, and everything stores neatly in the included carrying case. That alone makes it a win for us...no lost pieces rolling around the house. Because it’s compact and self-contained, it’s perfect for travel. We’ve taken it on road trips and plane rides, and it’s been a great way to keep the kids entertained without screens.What I really like about Kanoodle is that it encourages problem-solving, spatial thinking, and patience, all while still being fun!” — Jesus L.For more fun games, check out these easy-to-learn options for your next game night from a list curated by the HuffPost Shopping team:AmazonA trivia game for history buffsMuch like the popular Trivial Pursuit format, the History Channel Trivia Game includes over 2,000 questions covering five categories: Arts & Culture, Sports & Recreation, Science & Technology, Geography & Landmarks and People & Events. The winner has to collect a card from each category by answering the questions correctly. TargetA TikTok-popular guessing game"Hues and Cues involves using verbal clues to guess a specific color square on the board," explained writer Griffin Wynne, who first heard of the game on TikTok. "This is a fun way for players to use their imaginations to come up with or decipher one-word hints."With 480 unique hues, the board game promises as many unique and creative rounds. Reviewers call it "a beautiful game that stretches your creativity" and say it's easy to learn for all ages. AmazonAn all-ages card game that'll test reflexesClaws Out promises a fun, fast and increasingly frenzied game for ages eight and up (cat lovers will love that the card game is feline-themed, too). The goal is to get rid of all your cards — if unpredictable special cards don’t end up rerouting the game in the blink of an eye.Reviewers are big fans; one writes, “We played obsessively for a full week … the grandkids loved it so much, we are buying a second set to replace the copy they are taking home.”The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.