Choosing gifts is both a bliss and a curse. Depending upon the camp you’re in, you’re either having a chance to get creative or are about to get stuck somewhere between “What should I gift?” and “I’m not going!” The good news is that we did the thinking job for you and have the answer to your prayers.
Jigsaws!
Whether you’re on the lookout for something extra special for the person young at heart or someone who’s just made the first steps, a wooden jigsaw puzzle could be an option. Correctly chosen jigsaw puzzles for toddlers or adults are a source of fun, satisfaction, and even development.
Jigsaw Puzzles for Toddlers (1-3 Years)
When picking a jigsaw puzzle for different age groups, keep in mind that it can be introduced when the little one is 9 months old. When mom and dad notice their kiddo manipulating and playing with simple objects, it may be the right time to incorporate jigsaw puzzles into the play routine.
Once the level is done, let the child have fun with different sizes and shapes puzzles. It is recommended to choose circle shapes since the little puzzlers can fit them in any direction.
Puzzle Size by Age 1-3 Years
The good news is that jigsaws vary from small and regular to big and huge. Whatever style you choose, the youngest should start their puzzling journey with huge pieces that they can grab with ease.
Puzzle Piece Material for Toddlers
Every puzzle piece material matters when in hands of a baby girl or boy. While a lot of children's jigsaw puzzles available on the market are manufactured from cardboard or paper, there are some rubber and wooden chefs-d'oeuvres.
Jigsaw Puzzle Patterns
Basically, two primary pattern types exist at the moment – random cut and ribbon cut.
Ribbon-cut jigsaws follow a grid. You can see horizontal and vertical lines that are clear and let you piece the jigsaw line by line.
The random cut is absolutely chaotic. Each piece is irregularly shaped, and there are no lines to follow. Instead, the users build clusters of pieces that add much intrigue to the process.
Which way to go? That depends.
If you’re on the hunt for wooden jigsaw puzzles for teens or adults, provide them with a greater challenge than random cut items offer. The ribbon or one-way strip cut is the easiest pattern to deal with since the pieces closely resemble each other. If seeking jigsaw puzzles for seniors or the youngest puzzlers, the ribbon-cut puzzles’ difficulty level works well for both.
Puzzle Pieces by Age 1-3 Years
When it comes to sorting puzzle pieces by age, the kids in the 1-3 age group should start piercing the simplest puzzle versions that contain 2-4 pieces. As your kid grows, the number of pieces will change reaching up to 20 pieces for kiddo of 3. At the same time, experts insist on kids being able to manage puzzles with 24 fragments by the age of 3. Development shows up differently for everyone.
Jigsaw Puzzle Themes for Toddlers
This is the point when the toughest choices are made. While the rules are quite clear when choosing puzzle sizes by age, jigsaw themes are all from the craftsman’s inspirations. It may be characters from fairytales and bedtime stories, cartoon heroes, situational scenes, vehicles, dolls, unicorns, or cute animals around jigsaw set – anything appropriate for the child’s interests.
What is really important is how jigsaw puzzle patterns are drawn and their placement on the canvas. Since puzzles serve as both a solo play and an educational tool, the image must be suitable for a particular age with a properly printed image that is eye-appealing.
Children's Jigsaw Puzzles (4-13 years)
As your little champ grows so does the kid’s experience. At this moment, children are good at joining and rotating puzzle pieces so you can move to more complex jigsaws with a greater number of pieces.
Puzzle Size by Age 4-13 Years
When choosing jigsaw puzzles by age, 4 and 5-year-old preschoolers have more sufficient skills for jigsawing with up to 60 pieces. They can now work with smaller fragments and get creative knowing the difference between “same” and “different.”
The potential of 8-13-year-old kiddo is marked by their ability to define different sizes of pieces and find their place in the puzzle.
Puzzle Piece Material for Children
At 4-13 years you’re 100% sure the little one is not going to have jigsaws for dessert. Kids will appreciate different puzzles from floor jigsaws to 3Ds.
Jigsaw Puzzle Patterns
As the kid grows, we suggest looking into the ribbon-cut collections. For a simpler game, choose a product with identical or similar pieces that line up in neat rows and columns. Or, as an alternative, pick irregularly shaped puzzles where every fragment is a little copy of animals, balloons, clouds, houses, and other silhouettes.
Puzzle Pieces by Age 4-13 Years
Early elementary school students seem to have fun with jigsaws containing more than 180 fragments. After having polished up skills with 60-100 pieces, they’re ready to handle fairly small pieces.
The right amount of challenge should be provided for 8-13-year-olds. Start with 200+ pieces featuring popular topics like landscapes, works of art, as well the ones based on your kid’s interests.
Jigsaw Puzzle Themes for Children
When it comes to puzzle themes for kids, you have dozens of options in mind. Just ensure to take your kid’s interests and hobbies into account. Ocean scenes, puppies, kittens, space objects, and LOL dolls are some of the most common topics available in the market.
Every puzzle requires full attention and that’s where all the magic is hidden. When piecing together all those fragments, the little one is surprisingly focused on learning to capture small details. Finally, a trial and error test (that the process of puzzling actually is!) helps kids get a more innovative mind and better in problem-solving.
Jigsaw Puzzles for Teens (13-18 years)
When it comes to choosing jigsaw puzzles for teens, consider the personal interests of the puzzler in the first place. Most teens enjoy dealing with a puzzle that features an image from their favorite TV show, cartoon, movie, music band, etc.
Wondering how to get the busy teen off the screen? Compete! Arrange a real home battle with the box of jigsaw puzzles for teens! Here’s the deal: the first to complete the puzzle gets the whole pizza. Ready?
Puzzle Size by Age
This is where the real fun starts! Teens are comfortable assembling puzzles of all existing sizes that vary from huge to smallest ones. No restrictions or cautions based on safety here.
Puzzle Piece Material for Teens
There are a variety of materials that teens would like to work with – from cardboard to plastic and premium quality wood. Choose a light material that is durable at the same time.
Jigsaw Puzzle Patterns
Jigsaw puzzles with irregular shapes are a perfect option here. Chances are the ribbon-cut puzzles will get your teenager bored sooner than you know, so add fuel to the fire with randomly cut fragments.
Puzzle Pieces by Age 13-18 Years
When it comes to the puzzling capabilities at this age, 500+ pieces are a perfect choice. Not only are the kids able to solve more difficult puzzles, but they’re also ready to challenge themselves (that makes the process more thrilling!).
Jigsaw Puzzle Themes for Teens
Again, we follow the list of personal preferences of the puzzler. Is it Taylor Swift, Kevin Hart, or Selena Gomez? Or, perhaps, your teenager is crazy about sports? Choose the topics that are attention-grabbing and remain popular with teens.
Low self-esteem in teens is a fact. And what can give a stronger sense of pride and satisfaction than “I did it!” when the last puzzle piece finds its place? A perfect boost to self-esteem and practice to work in a team are a great combination for positive mind-set growth.
Jigsaw Puzzles for Adults
Improved memory, stronger problem-solving skills, and increased IQ – all these benefits of puzzles prove that jigsaws are a universal pastime suitable not only for kids but adults as well.
Puzzle Size for Adults
Challenge yourself! Go for the small pieces that require more effort, and brain-racking. Not only will you unwind from a hectic day, but you will also be proud of yourself when the complete image can be seen.
Puzzle Piece Material for Adults
Plastic, cardboard, rubber, or wooden jigsaw puzzle for adults are at your service. However, if you’re on the lookout for a more durable option for the years to come, wooden jigsaw puzzles for adults can’t be beaten.
Jigsaw Puzzle Patterns
Two types of cut are available for adult puzzlers, but if you find identical piece shapes a bit boring, shop for more difficulty. Jigsaws with unique pieces will make the game funnier and the sense of accomplishment stronger.
Puzzle Pieces by Age
A 500+ piece wooden jigsaw puzzle for adults is a perfect starting point. Sooner than you know, you’ll work your way to the 1000-piece puzzle level and be craving for more difficulty.
Jigsaw Puzzle Themes for Adults
When picking jigsaw puzzles for adults, a lot of people usually follow specific themes, while others make random choices based on the mood, preferences, and tastes of their partners in crime. If you feel like the time to challenge yourself has finally come, the disturbing paintings created by the well-known Hieronymus Bosch will make your day.
Small, large, medium puzzles. Whatever you choose, try (at least once in a lifetime!) these perfect memory boosters and stress relievers. Puzzle solving can bring loads of benefits, and better productivity and family reunion are just some of them.
Jigsaw Puzzles for Seniors
Keeping the brain activity toned is a must at this age. Not only will jigsaws boost cognitive function and memory in seniors, but they also relieve stress and add more fun to the routine.
Puzzle Size for Seniors
On the one hand, large piece puzzles for seniors are easier to deal with at this age. On the other hand, smaller fragments help people focus and keep their minds busy.
Puzzle Piece Material for Seniors
Since puzzles enable seniors to exercise not only minds but finders as well, it’s better to choose jigsaws made of quality wood. Seniors tend to find it hard to pick up standard puzzle fragments. That’s why wooden items are easier to assemble. They grasp the thick pieces that slide into their hands with ease.
Jigsaw Puzzle Patterns
As people get older, they generally have fewer opportunities to focus. With that in mind, the random-cut puzzles are apparently in question.
Puzzle Pieces by Age
If you are not sure of what puzzle size is appropriate in a particular case, go for the collections comprising 50 to 100 fragments.
Assembling jigsaw puzzles is known to stimulate bursts of dopamine in the brain. And this, in turn, means a better mood! Needless to say that solving puzzles helps relieve stress and make family game nights more exciting when you’re vising your granny.
Jigsaw Puzzle Themes
For seniors, remembering details like shapes, colors, and patterns is a must. For that reason, it is better to shop for brightly colored puzzles with quality pictures. At the same time, stay away from images with too many tiny details that people with poor vision might find difficult to assemble.
Remember all of the suggestions mentioned above are just suggestions. As an adult, you know yourself better than anyone else does. As a parent, you’re aware of your kid’s interests and passions. And finally, as a senior person, you know what your heart is longing for. Whatever the reason for your puzzle shopping, the main purpose actually includes three key ingredients – fun, usefulness, and aesthetic. After all, the best jigsaw is the one you enjoy doing.
