Don’t be a square! It’s time to think outside the box with a fresh take on the classic Rubik’s Cube.
This is not your typical Rubik’s Cube — in fact, it’s not a cube at all. Rubik’s Orbit from Winning Moves Games is a circular version of the strategic puzzle game. It features the familiar, color-blocked pieces of the original, 3D puzzle, but it’s shaped like a planet — there’s a sphere in the middle surrounded by rings made up of colored sections. The goal of the game is to twist and turn the pieces to color-match all six sides of the 360-degree rings.
The amount of time it takes to complete it will totally vary from one person to another. TBH, I’ve never been able to complete a regular Rubik’s Cube and this one proved no different for me. It might take some kids weeks to figure it out, while others might be able to complete it in minutes. Either way, it’s not a one-and-done type of toy — even kids who are really good at it can still challenge themselves by setting a timer and trying to beat their record or racing against the clock. It’s technically a single-player game, but kids can get competitive and try to complete it faster than their friends.
Rubik’s Orbit is recommended for kids ages 8 and up so players who are much younger might get frustrated with it if they don’t have the appropriate dexterity and strategic problem-solving skills, but it’s an excellent brain-teaser for those who are mature enough to wrap their heads around it. The puzzle element helps kids keep their minds active while also building problem-solving and motor skills.
As we enter spring and summer travel season, it’s worth noting that Rubik’s Orbit makes a great travel toy. There is no assembly required, no clean-up involved, no loud noises, and it’s compact in size, making it a simple way to keep kids occupied on long road trips or flights without disturbing fellow travelers. It can also double as a tactile toy as kids glide the colored pieces around the orbit. If you’re looking for even more ways to play, it’s durable enough that kids can turn it into a make-shift ball to play catch with, although if they throw it too hard, the pieces might break off.
Any which way you twist it, you can tease your brain with Rubik’s Orbit, the multifunctional, strategy sphere!
