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Looking for something new for your kids to do during the upcoming June holidays? Why not let them figure out how to solve a Rubik’s cube! After all, Rubik’s cubes help to improve one’s problem-solving skills and enhance concentration levels. Not to mention, your little one will definitely be occupied for a while. It’s a win-win for both parents and kids! From standard 3×3 cubes to unique ones with different shapes and sizes, here’s our rundown of the best types of Rubik’s cubes in Singapore!
The Rubik’s cube (also known as a speed cube) was invented in 1974 by Ernő Rubik, a Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture. It is essentially a 3D puzzle in the form of a plastic cube covered with multicoloured squares. A player starts with a randomised and shuffled configuration of the cube and attempts to twist and rotate it so that all the squares on each face are of the same colour.
While it might seem like a relatively simple toy, learning how to solve a Rubik’s cube actually has tremendous benefits for kids. Here are some of them:
With thousands of twists and combinations, it is no wonder some can take hours to solve a Rubik’s cube. Solving a Rubik’s cube requires the use of many algorithms, where you have to memorise each step and each move in a sequential manner. This helps to improve your kids’ strategisation and problem solving skills.
Other than increasing one’s patience and concentration levels, solving a Rubik’s cube also helps to improve fine motor skills. The speed and agility used to solve a Rubik’s cube translates to sharper reflexes and incredible hand-eye coordination.
Learning how to solve a Rubik’s cube helps stimulate the mind since you’ll always be thinking of the next move. Moreover, it helps kids keep boredom at bay during the school holidays and may even break mild addictions like excessive gaming.
The standard Rubik’s cube takes on a 3×3 format and measures 5.6cm on each side. It usually comes in six main colours – red, orange, yellow, green, blue and white. Over the years, there have been varying designs of the cube too.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Before you dive deeper into the world of Rubik’s cubes, you need to conquer the most basic of cubes first: the Original 3×3 Rubik’s Cube (available on xinxiaorui67999.sg). Designed with well-tensioned corners, this 3×3 Rubik’s cube promises a super-comfy and satisfying use. Alternatively, consider the Magnetic Original Rubik’s Cube (available on Cuber Space) which is smoother. This is because the magnets keep the cube aligned and reduce overshooting for people who are rough on their turns.
Yes, you read that right. There’s such a thing as a Periodic Table Rubik’s Cube (available on shopity.sg). As one of the best speed cubes, it teaches you some science in the process too! Featuring 54 different elements on all sides, your child will surely be able to recognise (and hopefully remember!) some of the symbols by the time they are done solving it.
Calling all mahjong fans! This Mahjong Rubik’s Cube (available on wax2020.sg) is one you’ll definitely want to get! Designed with all three suits and big tiles such as ‘fa cai’ and ‘hong zhong’, you’ll probably be more motivated to learn how to solve it. And just like the mahjong game itself, this best Rubik’s cube will keep your mind active and improve your reflexes. Check out our list of mahjong-themed gifts you can buy to usher in some good luck from the mahjong gods!
Rubik’s cubes don’t just come in the standard 3×3 format. There are some that take on other shapes which are more beginner-friendly and serve as a good starting point for your kids before moving on to harder cubes.
Another best Rubik’s cube you must add to your collection is the Ivy Cube (available on F.F.shop), also known as the Eye Skewb. It is said to be one of the easiest Rubik’s cubes to solve because no tough algorithms are required. As such, the Ivy Cube is a type of Rubik’s Cube that is highly recommended for beginners and those who would like to try something a bit simpler to solve.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Similar to the Ivy Cube, the Skewb (available on xiaoruia.sg) is another type of Rubik’s cube that is made for beginners. Taking on the shape of a cube that is cut diagonally two times along each of the four axes, the Skewb is easier to twist and turn. As one of the best Rubik’s cubes, it is made with a double inner anti-stick design which can effectively prevent the cube from sticking.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
As its name suggests, the Gear Cube (available on xiaoruia.sg) places all gears externally in order for the mechanics to be seen. And since each face of the Gear Cube can only turn in 180° increments or half turns, it is easier to solve than the standard 3×3 Rubik’s cube. And did we mention that this Rubik’s cube is priced below $5? How worth it!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Consisting of squares, rectangles and triangles, the Fisher Cube (available on xiaoruia.sg) sure looks like a challenge! However, it is actually much easier to solve given that once any potential parity has been fixed, the rest of the Fisher Cube is solved exactly the same as a standard 3×3 one. Made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, you can be assured that this best Rubik’s cube is environmentally-friendly too!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Consisting of only 12 moveable pieces, the Dino Cube (available on xiaoruia.sg) has got to be another best Rubik’s cube for beginners to try. This is because each move of the Dino Cube only affects three edge pieces at once. In other words, the triangular shapes make it simpler to solve one part of the puzzle without disturbing what is already solved – definitely easy for kids to learn!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
If your kids have already mastered the easy cubes, it’s time to move on to something more challenging! These Rubik’s cubes make use of even more algorithms so set aside a few hours when you’re learning how to solve them.
Don’t be fooled by the size of this 2×2 Rubik’s Cube (available on Cuber Space). It may be tiny but it actually requires a special algorithm that takes a few tries to get right. As one of the best Rubik’s cubes in Singapore, this 2×2 Rubik’s Cube is made with optimised corner cut performance such that every turn is smooth like butter!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Finding the 3×3 Rubik’s cube too easy? One up the rest by trying this 4×4 Rubik’s Cube (available on xinxiaorui67999.sg) instead! It follows a similar algorithm as the 3×3, just with additional steps. With an affordable price point below $10, this 4×4 Rubik’s Cube is truly one of the best Rubik’s cubes you can find.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Bigger can sometimes be harder. If you (or your kid) are up for the challenge, go one step further and try out more of the best speed cubes in Singapore. This includes the 5×5 Rubik’s Cube (available on xinxiaorui67999.sg) and 6×6 Rubik’s Cube (available on xiaoruia.sg). They might be more time consuming, but completing the 5×5 Rubik’s Cube and 6×6 Rubik’s Cube will truly be oh-so-satisfying!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
When it comes to the best Rubik’s cubes in Singapore, nothing quite beats the Square-1 Cube (available on xiaoruia.sg). This is because it has a mixture of squares, rectangles and triangles all in one! Thus, the Square-1 has an added level of difficulty among the numerous types of Rubik’s cubes due to how it can change shape as it is twisted.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
(Credit: xinxiaorui67999.sg)
It might look like an ordinary Rubik’s cube at first glance, but this Windmill Cube (available on xinxiaorui67999.sg) is actually cut diagonally on the white and yellow faces, rather than horizontally like the rest of the cube. As its name suggests, this Rubik’s cube can be rotated in different combinations to form the shape of a windmill. Psst, we think this Windmill Cube works as a nice display item on your kid’s study table!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Unlike other types of best Rubik’s cubes which come in splashes of colours, the Mirror Cube (available on Cuber Space) stuns in classy shades of silver or gold. Another difference is that instead of squares, the Mirror Cube is made of rectangles. This means that when you scramble it, the puzzle takes a chaotic form and loses its cubic shape which makes the solving process more complicated.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
If you’re really keen for your young one to master how to solve all types of Rubik’s cubes, this Polaris Cube (available on charmant.sg) is a must-try! Taking on the shape of a star with uniquely-shaped sides, the challenge of the Polaris Cube lies in how you can only turn each corner by 60 degrees. Time to put on those thinking caps!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Another type of Rubik’s cube that has to be in your collection are cuboid Rubik’s cubes. Like square Rubik’s cubes, they come in different configurations too. The main difference is that a cube has six square-shaped faces of the same size but a cuboid has rectangular or square faces of different sizes.
For starters, we recommend the 2x2x3 Cuboid (available on Cubling) which is a common buy thanks to how easy it is to solve. While it only has three main steps, this best speed cube does require prior knowledge of how to solve a Rubik’s cube.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
It might literally be two-thirds of a standard 3×3 Rubik’s cube but this 2x3x3 Cuboid (available on Amigo Cube) uses a completely different set of algorithms to solve. This means that you can’t underestimate its difficulty – it may be small but it presents its own set of challenges! Either way, we’re sure the kids will have fun with this 2x3x3 Cuboid!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Another frontrunner on our list of best Rubik’s cubes is the Floppy Cube (available on xiaoruia.sg), otherwise known as the 1x3x3 cuboid. Designed as one level of the standard 3×3 Rubik’s cube, the Floppy Cube has only nine moveable pieces with limited rotations. This means that you probably can solve it on your own even without the help of any algorithm! If you’re looking to add a bonus element of fun for your kids, consider this Fidget Spinner Rubik’s Cube (available on INTROEARS toy store SG) which essentially adds a fidget spinner in the middlemost piece!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Other than squares and cuboids, there have since been many new variations of Rubik’s cubes in different shapes and sizes. This includes triangles, hexagons and even dodecahedrons! Explore the different shapes with your little ones this holiday!
We can’t write a list of the best Rubik’s cubes without including the iconic Pyraminx (available on xinxiaorui67999.sg)! Often given out as Children’s Day gifts, the Pyraminx is a relatively easy Rubik’s cube to solve. In fact, some even think that it is easier than the standard 3×3 Rubik cube given how it has a lesser number of possible permutations. Alternatively, you can consider the 2×2 Triangle Pyramid Cube (available on xiaoruia.sg) which is a smaller version of the Pyraminx.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
In the spirit of the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival which also happens during the June school holidays, we think it’s apt to try out the Mastermorphix (available on xiaoruia.sg) which is shaped like a bak chang dumpling. The Mastermorphix has four triangular sides like the Pyraminx but is made up of other shapes too. However, the irregular shapes make the Mastermorphix hard to master and it definitely requires hours of dedicated practice!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Get trippy with this Twisted Rubik’s Cube (available on xiaoruia.sg) this June holidays! Given its edgy design, it can be easy to get a bumpy feeling when solving this twisted Rubik’s cube. But as one of the best speed cubes, it already has that in consideration by designing a small round hole in the middle which makes the inner structure more stable and decreases deformation.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
While most Rubik’s cubes have six colours, the Kilominx (available on Cuber Space) overkills with 12 colours including those not on the standard cubes like purple and pink. With 20 movable corners in total, each face of the Kilominx is shaped like a pentagon and has five corners. And while it might look intimidating to solve, this best speed cube actually uses many algorithms from the standard 3×3 Rubik’s cube. So always start from the basics!
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
The Megaminx (available on xiaoruia.sg) is truly a sight to behold. Made in the shape of a dodecahedron with 12 sides, the Megaminx has a whopping 50 movable pieces to rearrange! But like its Kilominx counterpart, this type of Rubik’s cube is actually quite simple to solve as the main concepts are very similar to that of a 3×3 Rubik’s cube.
How to solve this best Rubik’s cube:
Aside from the cube itself, there are many accessories you can purchase to make your child’s Rubik’s cube experience better. This includes mats, lubricants and more!
If you’re serious about letting your kid explore the world of Rubik’s cubes, then we recommend investing in a good Rubik’s cube Timer & Mat Bundle (available on Cuber Space). The timer comes with a multi-sensor that has accurate readings. All you have to do is place both hands on the timer when you’re done solving the cube. Here’s a video example of how it works:
Psst, the fastest ever recorded time that someone took to solve a standard 3×3 Rubik’s cube is 3.47 seconds – colour us impressed! Meanwhile, the mat ensures that your cube has a safe and soft landing spot so as to prevent damage.
When it comes to solving the best Rubik’s cubes, regular lubrication is important so that the cubes can perform well. This is especially so if you play with the cubes on a regular basis. As such, a Water Based M-1 Lube (available on Cuber Space) will definitely come in handy. All you have to do is apply one to two drops of lube to the contact surfaces of the cube and scramble the puzzle to spread it out.
As part of Rubik’s cube maintenance, it is always important to have a Small Cross Screwdriver (available on xiaoruia.sg) at hand. This is in the event that the Rubik’s cube comes apart when you’re scrambling it up too fast and some of the pieces come apart.
Challenging but fun, we hope that this list of the best Rubik’s cubes will add some colourful fun to your kids’ holidays. Otherwise, check out these fun holiday programmes and camps that your kids can attend for a meaningful and fulfilling time. Alternatively, bring them out for some fun at these best indoor playgrounds or visit the best art jamming studios in Singapore to unleash their creativity!
Time to jingle his bells!
‘Tis the season to be jolly and a little competitive!
For a-meow-zing staycays.
Ending the year with a blast (of fireworks).
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