How to Choose Jigsaw for A Child According To Age?
Each child is different and the size of jigsaw puzzle they can do will very much depend on the experience they have had doing jigsaw puzzles, their interest and ability. However, here is a guide giving advice on the size of jigsaw puzzles for different ages.
Age 2
The best puzzles for 2 year olds are ones with big chunky pieces so little hands to maneuver the pieces and put them in the right place. Look for chunky wooden puzzles. You can get many to with pegs to help them lift the pieces in and out. Also look for puzzles with bright and big pieces which are easier for smaller children to manage.
You can also get floor puzzles with around 12 big pieces which are can be good for 2 to 3 year olds. A good way to start to do floor puzzles with younger children is to do the puzzle for them. Then when its completed take one or two pieces away. You can then ask them where the missing pieces go and to help you put them back.
You can also get floor puzzles with around 12 big pieces which are can be good for 2 to 3 year olds. A good way to start to do floor puzzles with younger children is to do the puzzle for them. Then when its completed take one or two pieces away. You can then ask them where the missing pieces go and to help you put them back.
Age 3
At age 3, they will still enjoy doing wooden peg puzzles but their fine motor skills are developing and between ages 3 and 4 they should be able to do cardboard puzzles. I think the best puzzles for my kids when they were 3 years old were puzzles with bigger pieces. These are easier for little hands to do. There are floor puzzles which have big pieces and are really visual when completed. You can get floor and other puzzles with around 12 pieces to start off with. As they get older they should be able to move onto puzzles as big as 24 pieces.
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My 3 year old currently loves doing the Melissa and Doug See and Spell puzzles featured in the picture opposite.
*Please note as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may get a small commission for purchases made through Amazon links in this article.* They are letter puzzles where you have the picture of an object with its word next to it. The word is a puzzle and you have to find the correct letters to fit in it. The photo features lots of the picture boards. You can turn each picture board over and there is another word on the other side. |
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My 3 year old doesn't really understand the concept of letters or spelling yet, but he loves doing these. I think it's a good way to introduce him to his letters, alphabets and words. It's also great for his fine motor skills.
We actually used these with my eldest son. He did them at ages 3 and 4 and enjoyed them just as much.
We actually used these with my eldest son. He did them at ages 3 and 4 and enjoyed them just as much.
melissa and Doug See and Spell
  
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Melissa and Doug See and Spell is a learning toy develops multiple skills including fine motor skills, sight reading vocabulary and spelling.
There are over 50 letters so you don't have to hunt around too much for the right one. Kids love playing with the jigsaw and learning at the same time. |
Age 4
At age 4 years old my eldest son, loved doing floor puzzles or puzzles with larger pieces. Puzzles with around 20 or 24 pieces are a good size for most 4 year olds. Although with lots of practice or a strong ability they may be able to complete puzzles up to 60 pieces.
Melissa & Doug Under the Sea Ocean Animals Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle
  
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This puzzle is a great challenge for most 4 year olds.
It is brightly colored and features sturdy wooden pieces. There is a tray to do the puzzle on. Some 4 year olds may need a little help and encouragement but they will be doing the puzzles independently in no time at all. |
Age 5
When my son was 5 years old, he loved doing jigsaw puzzles.
He could complete 24 and 35 piece jigsaws quite easily. He could do 50 piece jigsaw puzzles with a little help. He could do even bigger jigsaws with a little more help. All these puzzles featured pieces with larger pieces than standard adult sized jigsaws.
Most 5 year olds should be able to do a 24 piece floor puzzle quite easily with some practice. If they are used to completing jigsaw puzzles and do a lot they may be able to do puzzles up to 100 pieces or possibly more (again with xxl pieces). But for most kids between ages 5 or 6, a jigsaw of about 48 to 60 pieces is a good size (challenging but not too easy).
When buying jigsaw puzzles for my 5 year old, I found its best to choose one with a picture which appeals to them. My own son loved to do angry bird puzzles. My neice loved princess puzzles. Other ideas include , superheros, dinosaurs or other puzzles with movie or TV characters..
He could complete 24 and 35 piece jigsaws quite easily. He could do 50 piece jigsaw puzzles with a little help. He could do even bigger jigsaws with a little more help. All these puzzles featured pieces with larger pieces than standard adult sized jigsaws.
Most 5 year olds should be able to do a 24 piece floor puzzle quite easily with some practice. If they are used to completing jigsaw puzzles and do a lot they may be able to do puzzles up to 100 pieces or possibly more (again with xxl pieces). But for most kids between ages 5 or 6, a jigsaw of about 48 to 60 pieces is a good size (challenging but not too easy).
When buying jigsaw puzzles for my 5 year old, I found its best to choose one with a picture which appeals to them. My own son loved to do angry bird puzzles. My neice loved princess puzzles. Other ideas include , superheros, dinosaurs or other puzzles with movie or TV characters..
Learning Resources Magnetic U.S. Map Puzzle
  
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This is a 45 magnetic puzzle which is aimed at kids between 4 plus, although I think a 4 year old will need help to do this one.
The puzzle pieces are magnetic so you can do this one on the fridge. It's extremely educational as kids are not only improving fine motor skills but learning the states of America at the same time. The puzzle comes with an outline that children can use to help them put the pieces in the right place. However, they can do it without the outline if they prefer. |
Age 6
My son still enjoyed doing smaller puzzles at age 6, but a challenging puzzle for him would be around 48 to 60 pieces. Again a 6 year old, could do puzzles around 100 extra large pieces or more with some practice.
Ravensburger do a range of puzzles of 100 pieces which have xxl pieces. As the pieces are bigger than a standard adult sized puzzle, it makes the puzzles easier to do. They have all kinds of themed puzzles including Frozen, Toy Story, How to Train Your Dragon, Disney Cars and lots more. Check out the Ravensburger puzzles here.
Ravensburger do a range of puzzles of 100 pieces which have xxl pieces. As the pieces are bigger than a standard adult sized puzzle, it makes the puzzles easier to do. They have all kinds of themed puzzles including Frozen, Toy Story, How to Train Your Dragon, Disney Cars and lots more. Check out the Ravensburger puzzles here.
60 Piece Princess Puzzle
  
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This is obviously an excellent puzzle option for princess fans.
Kids are often enthusiastic to do puzzles of things they are interested in, so if they love Disney princesses this one is a must. The puzzle is made by Ravensburger and is 60 pieces. The pieces are a nice size (bigger than standard size but not too large). It's a nice one for older kids to do independently or younger kids to do with an adult. |
Age 7
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At age 7, a puzzles of 48 to 60 pieces is quite a nice beginner size. You could choose puzzles with smaller pieces to make it more challenging. But for an extra challenge puzzles of 100 pieces are a good size. As detailed above, Ravensburger do some great 100 piece puzzles with xxl and xl pieces which are perfect for kids. In the picture opposite is the 100 piece Dragons themed puzzle my 7 year old son is currently doing. It has xxl pieces.
Check it out here. Ravensburger also make 150 piece puzzles with extra large pieces too. |
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If you want to challenge your 7 year old, you can pick up 100 piece puzzles with standard sized pieces. Or check out some xl and xxl puzzles with 150 and 200 pieces. My own son is currently enjoying just doing the100 piece puzzles so I'm just going to let him enjoy what he is currently happy to do.
100 piece Extra large solar system puzzle
  
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This solar system puzzle is 100 XXL pieces which are made of extra thick cardboard.
It's aimed for kids aged 6 plus. Ravesburger make the puzzle and the pieces fit together perfectly which show the high quality of puzzles by Ravesburger as opposed to other puzzle makers |
Age 8
A good challenging sized puzzle for 8 year olds will be between 100 and 200 pieces. They will probably still love doing smaller 40 to 60 piece puzzles but for many this will be fairly easy. For kids that are ready to move puzzles with more pieces, I again recommend the Ravensburger puzzles with extra large pieces and after this you can move onto 100 piece puzzles with smaller pieces for more of a challenge. Ravensburger also make 150 and 200 piece puzzles which you can also get in xl or xxl sized pieces too.
Realm of the Giants XXL 200 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
  
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This 200 piece dinosaur jigsaw is made up of XXL pieces and is recommended for kids aged 8 plus.
As already stated the quality of Ravensburger puzzles are excellent and the puzzles are durable and will last. As the pieces fit together so nicely it makes it a really pleasant experience to do the puzzle and kids are less likely to get frustrated. |
Eco Friendly Jigsaw Puzzles
There are many companies who make eco friendly versions of jigsaw puzzles out of recycled paper and vegetable based inks. Yu can get these types of puzzles from companies who include Petit Collage, Suns Out and Eboo.
Types of Puzzles
There are lots of types of puzzles to choose from. They include floor puzzles (giant puzzles with big pieces). Floor puzzles are really visual for young kids which will motivate them to complete it.
Peg puzzles are generally wooden puzzles with little pegs on that help kids lift them out and put them back in the puzzle. They are great for younger kids.
3d puzzles are puzzles which create 3d models after they are completed. They tend to be great for older kids and teenagers. You can get 3D puzzles of landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower which are great to display when completed.
Puzzle ball - the clue is in the name - these are puzzles which are ball. You can get puzzle balls of the Earth and the planets so these are great to be displayed too.
Peg puzzles are generally wooden puzzles with little pegs on that help kids lift them out and put them back in the puzzle. They are great for younger kids.
3d puzzles are puzzles which create 3d models after they are completed. They tend to be great for older kids and teenagers. You can get 3D puzzles of landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower which are great to display when completed.
Puzzle ball - the clue is in the name - these are puzzles which are ball. You can get puzzle balls of the Earth and the planets so these are great to be displayed too.
Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles for Kids
There are so many benefits of doing jigsaw puzzles for kids:
Self esteem - Completing a challenging jigsaw puzzle can build self esteem and confidence.
Social skills - A big jigsaw puzzle can be worked on by several members of a family, friends or siblings. It can be a great team building exercise where you work together to complete a project.
Hand / eye - co-ordination - Jigsaw puzzles can help improve hand / eye co-ordination and fine motor skills.
Educational - As we've seen there are many educational jigsaw puzzles which can help teach history, geography and other concepts. There are also jigsaw puzzles to help teach letters too.
Problem Solving Skills - Kids have to think about where different pieces go and how they fit together, giving them confidence to solve problems.
Focus and concentration - Great for encouraging kids to focus and concentrate to complete a project. Also can be good to let them work on their own and develop independent working skills.
Self esteem - Completing a challenging jigsaw puzzle can build self esteem and confidence.
Social skills - A big jigsaw puzzle can be worked on by several members of a family, friends or siblings. It can be a great team building exercise where you work together to complete a project.
Hand / eye - co-ordination - Jigsaw puzzles can help improve hand / eye co-ordination and fine motor skills.
Educational - As we've seen there are many educational jigsaw puzzles which can help teach history, geography and other concepts. There are also jigsaw puzzles to help teach letters too.
Problem Solving Skills - Kids have to think about where different pieces go and how they fit together, giving them confidence to solve problems.
Focus and concentration - Great for encouraging kids to focus and concentrate to complete a project. Also can be good to let them work on their own and develop independent working skills.
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