Educational Games

Look at the skills the game practises, not just the age printed on the box. A confident six-year-old may thrive with a game aimed at eight-year-olds, while a child who finds reading tricky might prefer a number or memory game aimed younger. Jaques labels each game clearly, so check the description for the specific skills involved before buying.

Wooden games handle repeated use far better than card or plastic alternatives. Pieces do not bend, crack or lose colour quickly, which matters when a game is played weekly for years. There is also a tactile quality to solid wood that children respond well to. Jaques has used quality wood in its games since 1795, and many sets last decades with normal household use.

Jaques games are made with child safety in mind, using non-toxic finishes and smooth-sanded wooden components. As with any game containing small pieces, always check the minimum age guidance on the product and supervise younger children accordingly. If you are buying for a child under three, look specifically for games marked suitable for that age range.

Keep wooden games away from prolonged damp and direct heat, both of which can warp or crack the wood over time. Wipe pieces clean with a dry or very slightly damp cloth rather than soaking them. Store the set in its original box when not in use to keep pieces together and protect the finish. Treated this way, a Jaques wooden game can genuinely last a generation.

Educational games are consistently well-received gifts because they offer something to do together rather than something to consume alone. To pick the right one, think about what the child already enjoys: if they like stories, a word or literacy game suits them; if they enjoy puzzles, a logic or strategy game works better. A gift from Jaques also carries a sense of occasion, given the 1795 heritage and the quality of the packaging.

The range covers a broad spread of early learning and school-age skills including literacy, phonics, spelling, numeracy, memory, logic, strategy and creative thinking. Some games focus on a single skill, such as letter recognition, while others build several at once through gameplay. This means you can find something purposeful for a child at almost any stage of primary school learning.

They do both, and that combination is the point. Children practise skills more willingly when they do not feel they are studying, and games provide exactly that cover. Repetition through play builds fluency in maths facts, spelling patterns and logical reasoning in a way that worksheets rarely achieve. Teachers and educational specialists have recommended game-based learning for this reason for well over a century.