The Best Toys for Adults with Dementia

Stage	Product	Type	Price (inc. VAT)
Early to mid	Jigsaw Puzzles	Puzzle	£17.99 each
Early to mid	Gibsons Piecing Together	Puzzle	From £12.99
Mid	Aquapaint	Creative activity	£19.99 per pack
Mid	Circuit Marble Maze	Game	£22.99
Mid to late	Track Marble Maze	Game	£22.99
Mid to late	Tactile Turn	Sensory fidget	£24.98
Mid to late	Fidget Widget Tool Kit	Fidget	£69.98
Late	Twiddle muffs	Sensory fidget	Varies

 

Relish’s specially designed jigsaw puzzles suit people at the early to mid stages of dementia, with piece counts spanning 13 pieces (mid stages), 35 pieces (early to mid stages), and 63 or 100 pieces (early stage). All feature high-contrast, familiar subjects and pieces measuring 45mm wide in the 13-piece range.

Completing a puzzle, however short, gives a tangible sense of achievement and progress.

Best features

• Subject matter tends to prompt conversation and spark memories.

• Pieces are large enough to handle comfortably for people who find fine motor tasks more effortful.

• Works well independently or as a shared activity between the person and a carer or family member.

• The 13-piece format delivers a genuine sense of completion without taking too long or becoming frustrating.

Best for: early to mid stages

• People in the early to mid stages of dementia who retain an interest in structured tasks and problem-solving.

• Works particularly well for people who loved jigsaws earlier in life but had given up due to frustration with standard puzzles. The reduced piece counts bring that pleasure back.

• Having two or three different piece counts on hand suits people whose capability varies day to day.

• Also works well in care homes as a group activity, particularly when carers participate rather than observe.

Worth knowing

• A frequently praised design feature: you can assemble the puzzle directly inside the box while the completed image on the lid serves as a reference. No separate table needed.

• Piece count is a practical guide, not a rigid rule. Someone in the early stage may still enjoy a 13-piece puzzle; someone in the mid stage may be ready for 35 pieces.

• As the condition progresses toward mid-to-late stage, the Track Marble Maze or fidget-based activities will be a better fit.

Price: £17.99 inc. VAT

 

Gibsons Piecing Together

The Gibsons Piecing Together collection is a well-regarded independent alternative to Relish in the UK dementia puzzle market. The range runs from 12 to 40 XXL pieces, developed with Dr Zoe Wyrko, a consultant geriatrician and specialist in care for older adults.

R&D included visits to care homes and Age UK Centres. Puzzles are made in the UK and Europe from 100% recycled board by a B Corp certified company.

Each puzzle includes a full-size reference print in the box, the same useful feature as Relish. Imagery draws on nostalgic mid-20th century themes (transport, garden scenes, dogs, and countryside) chosen to prompt memories and conversation.

Best features

• Developed with a consultant geriatrician and tested in care homes and Age UK Centres.

• Full-size reference print included in the box, allowing the puzzle to be assembled with the image as a guide.

• Made in the UK and Europe from 100% recycled board; B Corp certified.

• Range of piece sizes suits different abilities within the early to mid stage.

Best for: early to mid

• People who want a lower-cost puzzle option with strong independent credentials: B Corp certified, geriatrician-developed, and made from 100% recycled board.

• People who respond better to mid-20th century nostalgic imagery than to the country and nature scenes in the Relish range.

• Care homes wanting a wider spread of imagery themes across a group without duplicating Relish designs.

Worth knowing

• Gibsons does not use dementia stage labels on the packaging. There is no equivalent of Relish's explicit mid / early to mid / early designations. Carers need to judge piece count themselves rather than relying on a stage guide.

• Imagery themes skew towards mid-20th century nostalgia, which suits some people well but may feel less relevant for people born after the 1960s.

Price: From £12.99

 

Best Toys for Mid Stages of Dementia

Activities that are self-directing work best at the mid stage of dementia: no technique required, no decisions to make, no way to get it wrong. The carer's role shifts from instruction to companionship.

By this stage, cognition is changing but fine motor skills remain largely intact. The person may struggle with rules, instructions, or multi-step tasks.

Aquapaint

Aquapaint sets from Relish are reusable art sheets that reveal a pre-printed image when you brush them with plain water. No paints, no mess, no artistic skill needed: the image appears by itself. Each pack contains five sheets, each reusable after drying.

Each sheet fades back to white in around 15 to 20 minutes, resetting for another session. Relish offers multiple themes including garden scenes, ocean life, and classic vehicles, letting carers choose a subject connected to the person's interests.

Best features

• Genuinely self-directed: brushing water across the sheet brings an image gradually to life.

• No instruction needed beyond a brief demonstration.

• Packaging carries no mention of dementia or memory loss.

Best for: mid stage

• People in the mid stages of dementia who retain enough fine motor control to hold a paintbrush.

• Works well in group sessions in care homes, where multiple sheets can be laid out at once.

• The activity frequently prompts reminiscing. Carers report it starting conversations about past interests in art or gardening, particularly when familiar subjects are chosen.

• Works well as an intergenerational activity, with grandchildren and the person completing sheets together.

Worth knowing

• No paintbrush is included, which is the most common complaint among buyers. Budget for a suitable brush separately; Relish recommends one with around 1cm bristles and a 1.5cm handle for easier grip.

Price: £19.99 inc. VAT per pack

 

Mid to Late Stage Dementia Toys

At the mid to late stage, structured activities with rules or goals become harder to follow. Activities need to work through movement and sensation rather than cognition. Both products in this section require physical engagement but no instructions and no completion state: there is no right answer, no failure, and no need to follow steps.

Track Marble Maze

The Track Marble Maze is a handheld wooden maze game from Relish, designed for people in the mid to late stage of dementia. The goal is to guide a marble around the track by tilting the board with both hands.

The maze offers a contained, self-paced challenge. There is no time pressure and no competitive element: the focus is on the movement and the satisfaction of guiding the marble, rather than completing a course from start to finish. People who find rule-based games confusing will find it straightforward.

Best features

• Challenges coordination and hand control, working both hands at once.

• Marble sits behind a fixed clear perspex screen and cannot fall out.

• High colour contrast aids people with visual impairments; a lightweight build makes it easy to hold and manoeuvre.

• Compact enough to use at a table, in an armchair, or in a care home activity room.

Best for: mid to late stage

• Suits people who need an activity they can pick up and put down throughout the day rather than something requiring sustained attention.

• Works well as a solo activity or with a carer joining in, guiding gently without taking over.

Worth knowing

• Requires physical coordination to tilt and steer; at late stage, simpler sensory options will be a better fit.

• Relish also makes a Circuit Marble Maze, designed for the early to mid stage; check the Relish site for current stock status before purchasing.

Price: £22.99 inc. VAT

Tactile Turn

The Tactile Turn is a soft, segmented sensory fidget toy from Relish, recommended for people in the mid to late stages of dementia.

Unlike wooden fidget tools, the Tactile Turn uses soft, flexible material with contrasting textures and colours across its segments. Picking it up prompts immediate exploration: flipping, squeezing, or bending it in any direction. There is no right or wrong way to use it, which matters at the mid-to-late stage when following instructions becomes more difficult.

Best features

• Soft, multi-textured surface (ribbed and velvet sections) that invites handling without any instruction.

• No setup or demonstration needed; most people pick it up and start using it independently.

• Machine washable on a delicate cycle at 30° (hand wash recommended for regular use), which makes it practical for care home use.

• Packaging carries no mention of memory loss, ageing, or dementia, making it a considerate gift choice.

Best for: mid to late stages

• People in the mid-to-late stages of dementia who experience restless hands or general agitation.

• Works well alongside conversation or during quieter moments.

• Also practical for late stage, when simpler, softer objects are easier to use than structured games.

Worth knowing

• A sensory item, not a game. There is no challenge, score, or completion.

• Does not suit everyone; some people show no interest. A gentle demonstration helps, but do not force it.

• For people at earlier stages still looking for cognitive engagement, a puzzle or marble maze will provide more stimulus.

• Currently comes in one colour combination only.

Price: £24.98 inc. VAT

Best Toys for Late Stage Dementia

During later stages, the priority shifts from engagement to comfort and occupation. Restless hands need something to do; an agitated mind needs something to settle it. All three options in this section work through repetitive motion and touch, with no instructions, no completion states, and no failure mode. 

Fidget Widget Tool Kit

The Fidget Widget Tool Kit is a set of five wooden fidget tools developed in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Society and the University of Central Lancashire, recommended for mid to late and late stages of dementia.

Each widget in the kit has a distinct motion: twisting, sliding, rolling, turning, and spinning. The variety lets the person find the tool that suits them best. All five are smooth wood with a comfortable weight, built for repeated daily use in a home or care home setting.

Best features

• Eight years of research and development, carried out with people living with dementia, sit behind the kit.

• Unfold-and-lay-out format: place the widgets on a table, let the person choose.

• Each widget's motion is genuinely different from the others, reducing monotony across repeated sessions.

• Relish built it to meet a specific, underserved need: people with fidgeting behaviours at the later stages of dementia.

Best for: mid to late stages

• People in the mid-to-late and late stages who fidget, pick at clothing, or find it difficult to settle.

• Works well for one-to-one and small group sessions in care homes.

• Suits carers supporting someone at home who needs calmer, hands-on activity during the day.

• The wooden design suits people who find softer fidget items less appealing.

Worth knowing

• The price point is frequently raised in carer communities. Buying a twin pack first is worth trying before committing to the full kit.

• Individual Spin and Turn widgets are available separately in the UK store while stocks last.

• The kit was tested in real homes and care settings before going on sale, not just in a lab. The results confirmed it works across a range of environments and care situations.

Price: £69.98 inc. VAT

Twiddle Muffs

Twiddle muffs are knitted or fabric hand muffs with a variety of tactile attachments: buttons, zippers, ribbons, beads, and soft patches. They keep hands warm and occupied at the same time. Unlike wooden fidget tools, they are worn rather than held, which makes them accessible for people with limited grip or who simply prefer softer materials.

Best for: mid to late stages

• People at the mid-to-late and late stages who experience restless hands but find wooden or rigid fidget tools unappealing.

• People who disliked the Fidget Widget or Tactile Turn on trial: the soft, fabric format often suits those who did not respond to harder materials.

• Care home residents who spend long periods in a chair and benefit from the hand-warming element as well as the sensory stimulation.

Worth knowing

• No single dominant brand in the UK. Available from the Alzheimer's Society sensory shop, AlzProducts, and handmade sellers on Etsy. Price and quality vary.

• Some designs include small loose parts such as buttons that could pose a choking risk for people at very late stage. Check the design before buying.

• Free knitting and crochet patterns are widely available online (search Ravelry or Knit for Peace) if a family member or volunteer wants to make one.

Price: From £12

Soft Toys and Comfort Companions for People With Dementia

Soft toys and comfort companions are a distinct category that becomes more relevant at the mid-to-late and late stages of dementia. At these stages, the soothing weight and familiar texture of a soft toy can provide genuine comfort and reduce agitation, particularly during distressing moments or periods of confusion.

Relish does not stock this product type. For UK families and carers, the Alzheimer's Society sensory shop carries comfort companions, including robotic cats and dogs, and is a recommended starting point. The AlzProducts sensory stimulation range also carries items in this category.

Robotic companion pets have been shown to reduce agitation in people with dementia across multiple controlled trials, though not everyone living with dementia will respond to them in the same way.

Personal history matters: someone who disliked animals, or who finds robotic movement unsettling, is unlikely to benefit. A soft toy connected to a familiar type of animal or object may be a gentler starting point than a robotic pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone with dementia use these toys independently?

Several products in this guide work independently. The Tactile Turn, Aquapaint, and twiddle muffs all require no instructions or guidance: most people pick them up and begin independently.

The Fidget Widget Tool Kit works best when a carer lays the widgets out on a table first, but the person chooses and uses each widget on their own terms. At the later stages, a brief demonstration is often all it takes.

What's a good gift for a person with dementia?

The best gifts for people with dementia are practical, sensory, and matched to the person's current stage. At early to mid stages, puzzles and creative activities like Aquapaint make thoughtful choices.

At mid-to-late and late stages, fidget toys and sensory comfort items tend to be more appropriate. Stage labels on Relish products make it straightforward to choose.

Are there toys designed specifically for later-stage dementia?

There are a good range of toys that are made to target the later stages of dementia. The Fidget Widget Tool Kit, Tactile Turn, and twiddle muffs all suit mid-to-late and late stages.

They occupy hands and help calm restless minds rather than challenge cognition, making them appropriate when games and puzzles are no longer accessible. The Relish sensory and fidget toy collection is designed for late stages of dementia.

The Right Dementia Toy for Right Now 

Choosing a toy for someone with dementia works best when the decision starts with the person rather than the product. Knowing their stage provides a practical framework, but everyone’s personality, past interests, and what they find comforting should shape your choice.

The products in this guide span early stage to late, with a variety of themes to pick from. A former gardener may take to a nature-themed Aquapaint set; someone who worked with their hands may respond immediately to a fidget tool.

For a full range of dementia toys, sorted by stage and type, browse all of Relish’s dementia toys.