21 best jigsaw puzzles for adults that challenge your brain
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- Putting together jigsaw puzzles is a fun activity that anyone can enjoy.
- We found 21 puzzles that will not only entertain but challenge the brain.
- See also: 23 activities to keep you busy when you're stuck at home
Feeling bored at home? Of the many activities you can do to fill the time, assembling a jigsaw puzzle is one of the more nostalgic and analog pastimes for people of all ages. Last year, jigsaw puzzles saw a 300% increase in sales due to more people staying at home.
Not only are they stimulating, but puzzles, particularly those thousand-piece beasts, can be quite challenging or plain frustrating at times. And many studies point to the benefits of puzzle-solving, including better spatial skills, memory retention, and cooperation with others. (Among the many well-known figures who enjoy jigsaw puzzles, Bill Gates is a fan, according to Inc. Magazine.)
So, even if you're just looking to combat boredom, know that completing a puzzle is productive for your brain.
Here are 21 cool and interesting puzzles to complete by yourself, with a partner, or as a group
Updated on 2/1/2021 by Les Shu: We added seven fun options for people interested in "Star Wars," Studio Ghibli, architecture, LEGO, space, and pets.
A beautiful crystalline puzzle with non-traditional piece shapes
Geode Puzzle, available at Uncommon Goods, $65
Number of pieces: 160 to 180 depending on the style
A puzzle with plenty of book lovers to keep track of
Book Club 1000 Piece Puzzle, at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, from $14.40
Number of pieces: 1,000
A puzzle featuring Mexican artist Frida Kahlo
The World of Frida Kahlo Puzzle, available at Uncommon Goods, $20
Number of pieces: 1,000
A 3D puzzle modeled after a famous Hogwarts tower
Wrebbit Harry Potter Hogwarts Astronomy Tower 3D Puzzle, available at Kohl's, $54.99
Number of pieces: 875
A delicious collection of fancy foods
Areaware Hors D'oeuvres Puzzles (3-count), available at Food52, $45
Number of pieces: About 70 per puzzle
For anime fans of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli
Totoro Season's Tidings Puzzle, at Barnes and Noble, $59.99
Number of pieces: 1,000
A bright and sunny scene at the local farmer's market
MasterPieces Farmer's Market, available at Amazon, $12.99
Number of pieces: 750
The front page of The New York Times — you choose the date and year
NYT Front Page Puzzle, available at Uncommon Goods, $49.95
Number of pieces: 500
A colorful puzzle bursting with flora and fauna
WanderPuzzleCo Just Chillin Puzzle, available at Etsy, $27.95
Number of pieces: 500
Headache-inducing puzzles with a spectrum of colors and patterns
Dusen Dusen & Gradient Puzzle Set, available at Food52, $40-75
Number of pieces: 100-500
A puzzle about a child and his guardian
Star Wars The Mandalorian: This is Not a Toy Puzzle, available at Amazon, $14.99
Number of pieces: 2,000
A puzzle you can customize with your own photos
Shutterfly Gallery Monogram Puzzle, available at Shutterfly, $19.79
Number of pieces: 520
A challenging puzzle for basketball fans
BasisWood Basketball Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles, available at Amazon, $52
Number of pieces: 188
A puzzle for stargazers
Hinkler Solar System Puzzle, at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, $10.99
Number of pieces: 500
A puzzle that comes in an attractive box and glue so you can display your final work
Bathing With Flowers Puzzle, available at Jiggy Puzzles, $49
Number of pieces: 800
For modern architecture buffs
Slowdown Studio Puzzle - Yoro Park, available at West Elm, $35
Number of pieces: 285
A dreamy look at the California coast and one of its most famous bridges
California Coast Bixby Bridge Puzzle, available at Zazzle, $18.95
Number of pieces: 1,000
A puzzle about dogs if they ruled the world
Dogs with Jobs Puzzle, at Barnes and Noble, $13.99
Number of pieces: 500
A puzzle of your best friends
Golden Girls 1000 Piece Puzzle, available at Urban Outfitters, $15.99
Number of pieces: 1,000
A LEGO set that doesn't come with instructions
LEGO Minifigure Faces Puzzle, available at Chronicle Books, $17.95
Number of pieces: 1,000
A challenge for devotees of Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright Saguaro Cactus and Forms Foil Stamped Puzzle, at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, from $19.13
Number of pieces: 1,000
Connie Chen Connie Chen is a former senior reporter on the Insider Reviews team, where she led coverage of home textiles, home entertaining, and food and drink. While at Insider, she specialized in all the things that enhance life at home, from the most comfortable bed sheets and fluffy pillows to cool online wine clubs and bartender-approved cocktail shakers. She combined rigorous testing methods, conversations with professionals, and active knowledge of the home and kitchen space to help readers get the most out of their money. When she's not changing duvet covers or washing towels twice a day for articles, she loves talking about and trying the newest snacks, drinks, and food gifts. You can see more of her testing process and other behind-the-scenes of being a product journalist on her Instagram @connayreviews. Connie joined Insider Reviews as an early member in 2017 and has also reported on products and services in the style, tech, fitness, travel, and e-learning spaces, with a particular interest and expertise in emerging startups. She has represented the team at CES and moderated panels on media business and the future of retail. Connie graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in media studies and business administration, which help inform her perspective on and coverage of industry trends, as well as the competitive e-commerce landscape at large. Read some of her work: The 4 best cocktail shakers in 2021 The 7 best women's bathrobes in 2021 The 5 best wine openers and corkscrews we tested in 2021 The 5 best bed sheets we tested in 2021 The 5 best cordless vacuums we tested in 2021 12 direct-to-consumer kitchen startups that are changing the way we shop for cookware and knives 8 tableware startups changing the way we shop for dishes Even chefs experience cooking burnout — here's how they get re-inspired in the kitchen How businesses create successful virtual experiences 50 cookbooks from famous restaurants across the US that will help you recreate their best dishes at home Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test kitchen products. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnl56ztb%2BOo6Cgq5GserHB2bOjnqtdm7yzecCdrKWsow%3D%3D