If you enjoy solving puzzles and like sorting things into categories, you're in for a treat. There’s something really satisfying about finding the thread that connects different ideas or items. One great example is “Connections” from the New York Times—also known as Connections NYT. It’s a simple concept: group words by shared themes. But don’t let the simplicity fool you, it really gets your brain working. The best part? You can play games like this every day to give your mind a small workout while having fun.
Here’s a list of 10 category-based puzzle games that are perfect for daily play:
1. Connections (NYT) – As mentioned above, this puzzle asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of connected ideas. It’s quick to play, and you only get one puzzle per day, so it's easy to make it a daily habit.
2. Wordle Peaks – This variation of Wordle mixes word guessing with hints that guide you to a fitting word. While not a category game at first glance, success often depends on grouping word choices smartly.
3. Red Herring – This puzzle asks you to sort words into categories while avoiding trap options that seem like they belong. It’s great for improving focus and memory.
4. Knitwit – A light-hearted board game turned app, players must group words or images by shared themes. It’s a mix of pattern spotting and speed.
5. PuzzGrid – Similar in style to Connections, this game challenges you to find four groups of related terms in a grid. It has user-submitted puzzles so there's always something new.
6. Syllacrostic – This crossword-style game uses clues to guess words, which are then sorted by syllables. You'll use both language skills and logic.
7. Categorize This! – A straightforward quiz game where you're asked to place options into the right category. Great for a daily brain boost.
8. Trivia Crack Categories – Pick a topic and answer trivia questions based on it. Many of the questions involve sorting ideas by subject.
9. Categorizr – You’re given a theme and asked to pick the items that belong. It’s great for learning and sharpening recall.
10. Four Fours Puzzle – While more math-based, this brain teaser asks you to make numbers from a limited set—sort of like finding the right groupings using rules.
Trying out these kinds of games daily can be both fun and helpful. They’re like small snacks for your brain—good for you, and easy to enjoy. Give a few a shot and see which ones stick!