We are all trying to find ways to adapt to confinement and one of the challenges is the boredom of being locked up at home for so long. After all, the number of TV series is finite and even Instagram and Tiktok posts are over. If you're one of those looking for new things to do, consider going back to basics: the old puzzle.
You will not be alone. The pace at which the puzzles are being sold is unprecedented. "There has been an extraordinary increase in puzzle sales in the past three to four weeks," says Ben Jamesson, vice president of marketing and product development at BuffaloGames. “At some retailers, we have even seen a 1200% increase compared to the same period last year. The activities that people can do while distancing themselves socially at home are in high demand right now. ”
With that in mind, puzzles can be pretty hard to find right now, but if you're not picky, tons are still available. If you are ready to start but don't know where, Jamesson says part number is an easy starting point.
"I would recommend starting with a 300 or 500 piece puzzle because you can finish it in a weekend or even just one night if you want to," he says. So if that's too easy, you can go to puzzles with 1,000, 2,000, or even 3,000 pieces.
Another factor to consider when choosing difficulty is the design itself. Karen Kavett, who has popular puzzle-focused Instagram and YouTube accounts, says color is key.
"Beginners should look for brightly colored puzzles with very clear color separation," she says. "That will make it easier to sort the pieces into different sections so that they can be finished quickly without getting frustrated." On the other hand, if you are looking for a challenge, she recommends puzzles with large areas of a similar color or even the same color.
In the end, it's about finding a puzzle that you really enjoy. "I love puzzles with bright, saturated colors, because if I'm going to look at a puzzle for hours, they should be colors that make me happy," says Kavett.
To help you find a puzzle that balances challenge and aesthetics, we've compiled a list based on Kavett and Jamesson's recommendations. The puzzles are divided by difficulty, and we even added some unique puzzles and accessories so you can become an expert.
Easy puzzles
Charles Wysocki 300 Big Piece Puzzle ($ 9.99; barnesandnoble.com)
When you think of puzzles, you're probably thinking of some photography or landscape painting that your grandmother is slowly putting together on her coffee table. This puzzle, with a random painting of five by Charles Wysocki, is reminiscent of those classics. And with 300 pieces, it's a great place to start so you don't get too frustrated.
500-Piece Cosmic Lights Puzzle ($ 13.99; amazon.com)
Increase the difficulty a little with more pieces. At 500, this puzzle presents the beautiful colors of cosmic lights.
Star Wars The Child Puzzle 500 Pieces ($ 9.99; target.com)
If you are a fan of El Niño (also known as Baby Yoda), this adorable puzzle will make you flatter its big eyes while you collect its 500 pieces.
Frank Lloyd Wright Guggenheim 2-Piece 500-Piece Puzzle ($ 19.99; amazon.com)
This double-sided puzzle represents Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Guggenheim Museum. On the one hand, a beautiful photo of the iconic architectural feat, and on the other, the plan of the building.
Harry Potter Flying Keys Puzzle ($ 15.95; barnesandnoble.com)
For the Harry Potter fan inside you, this 500-piece puzzle is the perfect start to sharpen your problem-solving skills.
Medium difficulty puzzles
Galison Jigsaw Puzzle, Bibliophile Book Club Darlings, 1000 Pieces ($ 12.99, originally $ 16.99; amazon.com)
Travel to your dream book collection with this 1,000-piece illustrated puzzle. Really ideal for a bibliophile.
Nevertheless She Persisted Puzzle ($ 18; uncommongoods.com)
If you need some inspiration, try solving this puzzle, which shows 24 of the most outstanding women in history. Tons of motivational quotes are included in the picture, so you can linger on this 1,000-piece puzzle all the way.
Galison All Are Welcome Here Jigsaw Puzzle, 1000 pieces ($ 17.82; amazon.com)
Gather a multitude of colorful and peaceful people with this delightful 1,000-piece puzzle.
Rocky Mountain National Park Poster Art of The WPA 1,000 Jigsaw Puzzle ($ 19.99; amazon.com)
If you're looking for a puzzle with a different look, this stylized option looks like a poster for Rocky Mountain National Park.
Colorful & Intricate Stained Glass Ceiling of Palace of Catalan Music ($ 49.99; etsy.com)
This magnificent puzzle is not only delightful to look at, but will also be a pleasure to put together slowly until it reaches its beautiful full form.
Difficult puzzles
Bgraamiens Blooming Color 1,000-Piece Round Jigsaw Puzzleor ($ 26.99; amazon.com)
This colorful puzzle is a real pleasure to put together. Intricate tones make it difficult to solve, but if it gets too difficult, there are a few letters on the back of the pieces to make it easier.
Animal Kingdom 3,000-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle ($ 39.99; amazon.com)
If you want a difficult puzzle due to its large number of pieces, this 3,000-piece kit is the one for you. It has a great animal landscape full of lions, giraffes and more. But you are not buying this for pretty animals, you are buying it for the challenge of putting together 3,000 pieces.
Areaware Gradient Puzzle ($ 25; urbanoutfitters.com)
This gradient puzzle is quite complicated because the only thing that distinguishes the pieces is a slight difference in color.
Bgraamiens The Lines Puzzle ($ 25.99; amazon.com)
The hectic lines that are drawn through this puzzle make it difficult to tell which piece goes where, as there is no logic to the way they are drawn. You will have to break your brains to solve this one.
Color-changing puzzle ($ 99; store.moma.org)
One of the most difficult puzzles, created by artist Clemens Habicht. The colors of the pieces change depending on the angle you look at them, creating a ridiculously difficult and mind-blowing experience.
Ravensburger Krypt Black ($ 24.99; ravensburger.com)
This devilish puzzle is infamously challenging, according to our experts. There are less than 1,000 pieces, but they are all the same color. You will have to rely on the shapes of the pieces themselves and your own deciphering skills if you are going to try to solve it.
Unique puzzles
Custom puzzle (from $ 17.99, originally from $ 19.99; etsy.com)
If you are looking for something more sentimental, try this personalized puzzle. Just send a high quality photo and you will receive puzzle pieces that create that image.
Night Sky Wooden Puzzle ($ 90; uncommongoods.com)
This unconventional puzzle is made of wood, and its pieces have a drastically different shape than a normal puzzle.
Wrebbit Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall 3D Puzzle 850 Pieces ($ 49.95; amazon.com)
This type of 3D puzzle adds a new dimension to your standard hobby as they rise from the table. This one from Harry Potter will have you build Hogwarts in your own kitchen.
Wrebbit 2011 New York Midtown West 3D Puzzle 900 Pieces ($ 44.99; target.com)
This 900-piece puzzle recreates the Midtown East skyline of New York, and its 3D construction will make these skyscrapers skyrocket in your own home.
Accessories for puzzles
Lavievert Jigsaw Puzzle Roll Mat ($ 20.99; amazon.com)
If you don't want your puzzle to fill the entire kitchen table until you solve it, this mat allows you to easily store it and finish it at a later date. It measures 46 by 26 inches and has a capacity of 1,500 pieces.
Brightech LightView Flex Magnifier ($ 29.99, originally $ 49.99; amazon.com)
Do your sessions end late at night, or do you just want some extra light? This powerful lamp will light up your workspace so you can see every detail of every piece. Plus, it has a built-in magnifying glass to help you really focus on the most challenging puzzle.
MagniPros 3X Magnifier ($ 24.95; amazon.com)
With a 300% magnification, this magnifying glass will help to enlarge the smallest details of your puzzle. It also has an adjustable light so you can put the perfect amount of light on your pieces.
AllwaySmart Puzzibly Puzzle Sorting Trays ($ 26.95; amazon.com)
If you have a puzzle with many different sections, these sorting trays are essential to keep all of your pieces separate. Divide and conquer with this set that contains eight trays and fits up to 1,000 pieces.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.