Make Your Kid’s Childhood Exciting With the Best Puzzles for Toddlers
Introducing your toddler to the world of puzzles is a great way to keep them engaged, curious, and active. Not only do puzzles help kids learn problem-solving skills, but they also help them develop physical and fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. But with so many puzzles on the market, it can be hard to know which ones are the best ones for toddlers.
In this article, we will share our top picks for the best puzzles for toddlers in 2024. From wooden puzzles to 3-D puzzles and more, we’ve got just what your little one needs to stay entertained and keep learning all day long. We’ve also included reviews from parents and experts to provide you with the most comprehensive information about each puzzle. So, let’s get started!
Puzzles for Toddlers: Buying Guides
Choosing the best puzzles for toddlers can be challenging given the vast array of choices available in the market. To help you find the most suitable puzzle for your child, here is a buyer’s guide outlining key features to consider.
Things to Look for Before Buying Puzzles for Toddlers
Age appropriateness
Puzzles come in a variety of sizes with different levels of difficulty. When selecting the right puzzles for toddlers, it is important to consider the age range for which the puzzle has been designed. Younger children may require simpler puzzles with fewer pieces, while more advanced puzzles with more pieces will be more enjoyable for older kids.
Theme
Another factor to consider when shopping for puzzles is the theme. Many puzzles come with themes such as animals, shapes, numbers, and letters. Choosing a theme your toddler enjoys will make them much more likely to have fun while working on the puzzle.
Number of pieces
The number of pieces in a puzzle will also affect the difficulty level and overall enjoyment of the puzzle. For young children, simple puzzles with fewer pieces are often best because these can be completed relatively quickly. As your child gets older and their skills improve, you can gradually increase the complexity and number of pieces in the puzzle.
Colors
Parents must look for puzzles that use only a few colors in their designs. This will help keep your toddler’s attention by making it easier to distinguish between different parts and pieces of the puzzle. Too many colors can be overwhelming and could easily lead to frustration and boredom.
Durability
When selecting puzzles that are intended for toddlers, you should also look for ones that have high durability ratings. Puzzles with strong construction and high-quality materials will be able to withstand frequent use without breaking or becoming damaged easily. This can help ensure that your child’s puzzles will last over time and won’t need to be replaced every few months or so due to wear-and-tear-related damage.
Storage box
Many puzzles come with storage boxes or containers included in their purchase price. These boxes often feature handles that make it easy to store away or carry on-the-go when needed. Having a storage container makes it easy to keep all of your child’s puzzles together and organized when not in use.
Difficulty level
Look for puzzles that are suitable for your child’s age and skill level so they can successfully complete the puzzle without becoming frustrated or disinterested too quickly. This way they gain valuable problem-solving skills from completing the puzzle.
Educational value
Puzzles don’t just offer entertainment value but also educational value. Many puzzles feature numbers, letters, shapes, colors, etc., which allows children to learn as they work on completing them. Additionally, working on puzzles helps children develop problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills – all important components of early childhood development that can be gained through playtime activities like puzzles.
Cost
Last but not least, the cost is an important factor when deciding which type of puzzle set is right for your child – especially if you need multiple sets due to having multiple children at home! When selecting from budget-friendly options look out for discounted bundles that offer both quality and value for money!
Comparing the High-Quality Puzzles for Toddlers in 2024
Melissa & Doug Puzzles for Toddlers – Best Overall
The Melissa & Doug puzzles for toddlers are the perfect toy for young children just starting to explore the world around them. With bright colors, illustrations of a charming cottage, and five different shapes to uncover, this puzzle encourages visual perception abilities and hand-eye coordination. The extra-thick wooden pieces have jumbo wooden knobs that are easy for small hands to grab, making them accessible for children 12 months and up.
Apart from helping children develop important skills, this puzzle also helps establish an environment of unplugged, screen-free play. With pieces featuring full-color matching pictures under each one, kids are invited to explore and discover without help from technology. As with all the products from this brand, this toy was designed with durability in mind. It is made from high-quality materials that are sure to stand the test of time.
Pros
- Knobs are much bigger than other puzzles
- Beautifully colored and made with sturdy materials
- Easy for smaller hands to hold
- Highly recommended by multiple users
Cons
- Potentially too easy for some older toddlers
SpringFlower Puzzles for Toddlers – Most Fun
The SpringFlower puzzles for toddlers are made of high-quality, sturdy, and durable wood. They are both lead-free and BPA-free. This makes them easy for toddlers to handle and helps them learn their shapes, colors, math symbols, and more. Included with the puzzles are six flashcards that help toddlers understand where objects belong and how they go together, encouraging problem-solving skills without becoming too difficult or frustrating. The attractive colors and cute animal shapes help enrich a child’s sensory stimulation and brain development.
Each of the six puzzles features a different animal – bear, butterfly, ladybug, owl, snail, and bee – teaching children about the animal world while they play. The jigsaw puzzle gift toy is an excellent choice for any toddler aged 1 to 3 years old as it teaches important motor skills, logic, and reasoning in an engaging way – making learning fun!
Pros
- No sharp edges
- Bright and vivid colors
- Mostly symmetrical patterns
- Includes a storage bag and flashcards
Cons
- Too challenging and may need assistance
LURLIN Puzzles for Toddlers – Best Gift
The LURLIN puzzles for toddlers set is a colorful and highly educational toy for toddlers from 1 to 3 years of age. The puzzles feature 6 different animals that are brightly colored and have varied patterns, shapes, and sizes to help improve learning ability and recognize shapes in advance.
Additionally, the set includes 6 cognitive cards which assist with the development of hand-eye coordination, motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and natural curiosity in toddlers.
Safety is paramount to the brand and these wooden toys are rigorously tested for safety by an international laboratory and are approved for the ASTM test. The lead-free, BPA-free, Phthalates-free pieces have edges that are smooth to avoid hurting delicate skin. This puzzle set with its enjoyable features and certified safety standards will be a hit with any young child!
Pros
- High-quality material
- Includes fabric drawstring bag with animal print
- Very unique and thoughtful gift
- Cute design
Cons
- Small pieces may be a hazard
Montessori Mama Puzzles for Toddlers – Most Durable
The Montessori Mama puzzles for toddlers are the perfect choice for kids ages 3-5 who are just beginning to explore the world around them. The puzzles are made from high-quality, durable wood that is eco-friendly and lead-free, so parents can rest assured that their children will be playing with a safe product. An added bonus is the rounded edges, which means kids won’t hurt themselves while playing.
Apart from the educational benefits, these attractive puzzles will provide children with hours of fun. The vibrant colors and cute animal shapes including a dinosaur, dolphin, rabbit, and teddy bear shape puzzles will stimulate their senses as they work to piece the puzzle together. Solving these puzzles also helps develop spatial awareness, fine motor skills, improved concentration, shape recognition, and heightened memory and can even boost self-confidence in young children when they’re able to successfully complete it.
Pros
- Quality is great and very colorful
- Teaches colors, numbers, and coordination
- Can be done by a 3-year-old
- Smaller size is great for toddlers
Cons
- Takes a long time to assemble
Asher and Olivia Puzzles for Toddlers – Most Educational
The Asher and Olivia puzzles for toddlers are the perfect way to keep kids entertained and engaged in educational puzzles. This set comes complete with 6 different themes and a puzzle shelf for neat storage. Rather than relying on screens to engage kids, these wooden peg puzzles are an ideal educational tool to help toddlers learn about animals, letters, numbers, math signs, shapes, vehicles, and fruits. Plus, a teaching clock is included to help visually read time by understanding hours and minutes.
The pieces of each puzzle are cleverly designed to be easy for little hands to grasp. They are the perfect size for babies and toddlers to improve their pattern recognition skills. Also included is an ABC Alphabet puzzle with items for each letter and a Number Puzzle with math signs. The Zoo Animal Puzzle features baby animals while the Vehicle Sound Puzzle takes it up a notch with name tags for each item.
Pros
- Price is reasonable
- Comes with an organizational rack
- Handle grips are easy to grasp
- Perfect for daycare centers
Cons
- No background image for the number puzzle
People Also Asked
A: The best puzzles for toddlers are intended for children aged 3-5 years old.
A: Yes, puzzles help to develop a child’s problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, and spatial awareness and improve their memory.
A: To help toddlers complete a puzzle, parents can begin by setting out the pieces on a flat surface and inviting their toddler to put them back together – starting with just a few pieces at a time and slowly increasing the number as their toddler’s confidence grows. Parents can also give verbal encouragement and reward their toddlers for accomplishing completing the puzzle.
A: Yes, some of the puzzles come with varying levels of difficulty, allowing the child to challenge themselves and advance as they become more skilled in solving puzzles.
A: These puzzles are made of high-quality materials and designed to last through multiple uses. They are also durable enough to withstand many hours of playtime and handling by active toddlers without breaking or tearing easily due to their strong grips and non-toxic materials.
A: Yes, some of the puzzles for toddlers come with multiple pieces which can be shared among a small group of children so that they can work together to solve the puzzle.
A: Yes, some of the puzzles come with accessories such as markers or play pieces, adding more fun and interactive elements to the puzzle-solving process.
A: The themes for these puzzles range from animals, nature scenes, cartoon characters, numbers and letters, musical instruments, transportation or construction vehicles, etc.
A: Yes, some of the puzzles provide educational content, such as counting numbers or learning letters, which help to develop a child’s cognitive skills further while playing with the puzzle.
A: Yes, there are some age-specific instructions included with some of the puzzle sets, such as what age group is appropriate for each game/activity.
