Modern Play & Old-School Toys: Benefits of Rubik’s Cubes for Kids Today

When kids are at play, there is much more happening than simply fun and games. Play is a child’s primary method of learning, allowing them to explore their imaginations, think creatively, practice self-expression and develop problem-solving skills. In short, when kids are playing, they can be their most authentic selves while discovering the world around them.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, evidence-based programs are combined with a special focus on fun and games so that kids stay excited about learning while gaining all the benefits of play.

“Play serves as a vehicle for all of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Priority Outcomes: health and well-being, character, leadership, academic success — even life and workforce readiness,” says Chrissy Chen, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national director of youth development programs and innovation.

As kids and teens navigate an increasingly digital world, spending an average of over 4 hours daily on social media, they can still gain much from their grandparents’ generation of toys. One such “old school” toy that is resurging in popularity since its 1980 world debut is the Rubik’s Cube.

Created as a teaching tool in 1974 by Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian architecture professor, Rubik’s Cube went on to gain popularity throughout Hungary before selling millions of units worldwide. The three-dimensional puzzle then spurred a Rubik’s Cube World Championship competition before making regular appearances in pop culture and on social media. With each passing decade, the Rubik’s Cube has continued to attract new generations of “cubers” while sparking nostalgia among older fans.

Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Spin Master have partnered up to leverage the educational possibilities of engaging play with the Rubik’s Cube, promoting growth and development among young people. Spin Master’s Thompson Clarke, a Master Rubik’s Cube Solver, offers many compelling reasons why the Rubik’s Cube remains a valuable tool for learning and screen-free fun.

Boost Creativity & Focus: The Cognitive Benefits of Rubik’s Cube Play

Thompson Clarke has been a Rubik’s Cube enthusiast since he first learned to solve the world-renowned puzzle at age 11. By age 12, the Canadian native participated in his first competition. The following year, he sang the praises of Rubik’s Cube on national television during a media tour. Thompson went on to found his university’s Rubik’s Cube Club and organize the first World Cube Association competition in Southwestern Ontario. Today, he serves as a global brand manager for Rubik’s Cube at Spin Master.

“Growing up, I knew there were aspects of the Rubik’s Cube that I wanted in my future career,” Thompson says. “Solving Rubik’s Cube requires problem-solving skills, creativity and analytical thinking. The Cube’s 3D structure has benefited my spatial reasoning, while memorizing hundreds of algorithms has improved my general memorization skills. I hoped to find a job that would challenge me in similar ways. While I knew the Cube would always be part of my life and identity, I never envisioned it becoming my full-fledged career.”

Thompson’s passion for the Rubik’s Cube didn’t just develop into a fulfilling vocation; it also equipped him with an outlook that has positively impacted every aspect of his life.

“The Rubik’s Cube teaches grit,” says Thompson. “Learning to solve the Cube made me less prone to frustration with new puzzles. I remind myself that I’ve overcome difficult puzzles before and that I can solve new ones with time and effort. I’ve also come to appreciate challenges that push me to think differently. Solving the Cube has become second nature, so now when I face different challenges, I see those challenges as valuable learning opportunities.”

Unplugged Play: How Analog Toys and Activities Support Youth Development

“Screen-free play can be as impactful as it is enjoyable, as it cultivates fun while building essential social-emotional skills including increased focus and patience,” Chrissy says.

Building blocks, dolls, art supplies and playing dress up encourage creative thinking while allowing children to invent their own games and stories. Balls, jump ropes, puzzles and crafting help young people develop coordination, dexterity and balance. Role-playing and pretend play allow kids and teens to practice sharing, cooperation, negotiation and conflict resolution while expressing their emotions and developing empathy. All these toys and activities provide essential skills for personal growth without relying on digital technology.

Low-tech problem-solving activities help to reduce screen time while inspiring young people to consider multiple perspectives in lieu of being limited by pre-programmed functions. Kids learn to question assumptions, explore different possibilities and adapt their strategies as they see fit. Though our world is increasingly becoming reliant on digital technologies, the kind of critical thinking that analog toys and activities offer is vital for navigating an increasingly digital environment.

Club Kids Take on the Challenge of Solving Rubik’s Cube

Across the country, the Union League Boys & Girls Club, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area participated in an interactive session led by Thompson. The unique class equipped kids and teens with techniques on how to solve a Rubik’s Cube as well as strategies on how to approach challenges in all areas of their lives with confidence. During the session, participants focused on breaking complex problems down into manageable steps. Young people in attendance were also encouraged to be persistent, celebrate their successes, embrace hands-on challenges and develop a growth mindset.

Thompson says, “The interactive class taught beginners that it’s okay to ask for help. Though some people may feel that getting help is “cheating,” all top speedcubers have benefited from guidance.”

Whether the class participants become master Rubik’s Cube solvers or speedcubers in their own right remains to be seen. What is most important is that this accessible, engaging screen-free play contributed to their cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth — an outcome that Boys & Girls Clubs and Spin Master are focused on achieving for young people throughout the nation.