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10 Best Wooden Puzzles for Kids & Toddlers in 2024

last updated Oct 21, 2019

When you first sit down with your little one at a young age and present their first wooden puzzle, they may want to put the pieces in their mouth more than on the board, but that is all part of the learning experience. The more you engage with them, the more the hand-eye coordination will take control and before you know if they will be putting the pieces right into place.

The best part is watching the smile on their faces. Being patient helping them with puzzles may be as frustrating as finding the best puzzles. We have researched many puzzles on the market and were able to compile a comprehensive list of the best wooden puzzles for kids and toddlers. Keep reading to know more.

This is the best product on our list that is currently in stock:

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Melissa & Doug Vehicles
94/100 our score
Educational Value
94
Materials
93
Physical Development
95
Melissa & Doug Vehicles
Why is it better?

4 Different Puzzles with 12 pieces each

Pieces large and durable

Wooden box doubles as frame

Portable enough for travel

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
Melissa & Doug Vehicles
Test Winner: Melissa & Doug Vehicles
Amazon Link
Researched Sources
15
Researched Sources
Hours Researching
13
Hours Researching
Products Evaluated
15
Products Evaluated
Last Updated:
By Jessica Mentzer:

In the most recent update to the Best Wooden Puzzles one product was replaced with a product that better fit the features of the page. Seven products received updated criteria sections and pictures.

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Rank
PictureProduct
Name
Rating
Shops
#1
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94.3
Educational Value
95 %
Materials
93 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
#2
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
Educational Value
94 %
Materials
93 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
$7.34
#3
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
Educational Value
95 %
Materials
92 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
$8.99
#4
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.7
Educational Value
95 %
Materials
91 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
$20.99
#5
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.3
Educational Value
95 %
Materials
90 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
$29.99
#6
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.3
Educational Value
92 %
Materials
93 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
$26.95
#7
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
Educational Value
96 %
Materials
88 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
$7.99
#8
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
Educational Value
94 %
Materials
90 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
#9
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.3
Educational Value
93 %
Materials
89 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
#10
The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.3
Educational Value
94 %
Materials
88 %
Physical Development
95 %
Price Comparison Last Updated (21.03.24)
Amazon Link
$31.99

10 Best Wooden Puzzles Reviewed

1. Melissa & Doug Mix 'n Match

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94.3
melissa & doug mix 'n match wooden puzzle
melissa & doug mix 'n match wooden puzzle example
melissa & doug mix 'n match wooden puzzle farm
melissa & doug mix 'n match wooden puzzle designs
Amazon Link
Educational Value
95
Materials
93
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
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Includes all 3 puzzles

Shapes are interchangeable

Large wooden pieces

3 sturdy wooden frames

Puzzle pieces can get lost.

Only half of each car or animal is removable

Included in this set of wooden puzzles are three complete puzzles. Each of the puzzles are constructed from wooden materials making them sturdy and durable. Each of the puzzle pieces that are placed down in the puzzle feature an easy to grab red peg. This makes it easy for little fingers to move those pieces around with ease.

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Educational Value

The wooden peg puzzles are a time-honored tradition that never grows old. This type of wooden puzzle is ideal for kids at an early age. While using peg puzzles kids can learn to identify certain shapes. These three puzzles are also interchangeable to stimulate a child’s imagination.

Materials

Each puzzle is comprised of at least 8 puzzle pieces with the vehicle board containing 9. Each puzzle piece is beautifully designed in rich vibrant colors with happy animal faces on an equally colorful background. The bundle comes with a durable and safe wooden tray.

Physical Development

This are excellent wooden puzzles to introduce to your 2-year old although we think that some kids as young as 18 months can actually benefit from it. It is great for developing simple problem-solving skills, enhancing fine motor skills, and reinforce pattern and shape recognition.

2. Melissa & Doug Vehicles

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
melissa & doug vehicles wooden puzzle
melissa & doug vehicles wooden puzzle jigsaw
melissa & doug vehicles wooden puzzle stacked
melissa & doug vehicles wooden puzzle pieces
melissa & doug vehicles wooden puzzle kid playing
Amazon Link
Educational Value
94
Materials
93
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$7.34

4 Different Puzzles with 12 pieces each

Pieces large and durable

Wooden box doubles as frame

Portable enough for travel

Pieces can be lost over time

Only one model can be framed in the box frame for display

At an early age kids seem drawn to vehicles such as cars and trucks. The Melissa & Doug Vehicles 4 in 1 Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles give them a chance to build their own. This puzzle also teaches young kids about what a fire truck is and a steam engine are. These fun puzzles can also be kept by a child after they finish completing each model.

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Educational Value

For the older toddlers who may be looking for a puzzle that’s slightly more advanced with a bit of a challenge, a jigsaw puzzle may be the way to go! Kids will get more satisfaction out of knowing they’ve fit all the right pieces together and the reward will come with they sit back and look at the awesome picture they’ve created.

Materials

The Vehicles wooden puzzles are a great option because it’s sturdy and durable, and will hold up extremely well to kids who are still learning not to put things in their mouths, bang them on the table, etc. It’s basically toddler-proof! When all the pieces are fit together these puzzles form a firetruck, a school bus, a train, and a race car. For the price of one puzzle, your child has the chance to put together four different and unique puzzle, all of which will bring a smile to his or her face when they’ve completed it. Each puzzle fits neatly into a strong wooden box which makes travel a breeze if your child wants to take his to school, on vacation, or to a friend’s house.

Physical Development

The wood puzzles designs come in very interesting scenes that you can actually frame them and hang on your kid’s wall in his or her bedroom. It’s also great for developing and enhancing his or her fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and spatial intelligence.

3. Melissa & Doug African Plains

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
94
melissa & doug african plains wooden puzzle
melissa & doug african plains wooden puzzle pieces
melissa & doug african plains wooden puzzle completed
Amazon Link
Educational Value
95
Materials
92
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$8.99

Beautiful artwork

Fun and whimsical animal expressions make the puzzle engaging

Perfect for elementary school

Great for group play

Can be personally engraved

Puzzle pieces may easily fall out if not being carried carefully

The option to add a personal touch to this puzzle is really unique and special and adds another level to this gift. It’s something your child will hold onto for a long time and actually want to play with simply because their name is on it!

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Educational Value

This handcrafted jigsaw wooden puzzles are absolutely perfect for kids who love animals. The safari is mysterious and interesting and this puzzle does it justice with a beautiful and artfully created safari scene that will motivate your kids to want to piece this puzzle together again and again. The scene depicts classic safari animals such as a lion, flamingo, elephant, zebra, giraffe, and hippo. They’re adorable yet still realistic and make for the perfect educational tool to teach your kids about wildlife. For a few more dollars you can even have your child’s name engraved on the top for a perfect personal gift!

Materials

With 24 pieces it’s perfect for anyone in elementary school and functions as a great first jigsaw puzzle. They’ll have the chance to figure it out and use critical thinking skills to do so, but it’s not overwhelming to the point where they’d have trouble with it.

Physical Development

Grasping each puzzle piece will help develop your child’s fine motor skills. While the storage tray is a great bonus, it will also help teach your child how to be organized. While building the puzzle your child’s knowledge of colors and animals will increase as they determine which pieces can be used for each animal.

4. Melissa & Doug Animals Peg Set

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.7
melissa & doug peg set wooden puzzle
melissa & doug peg set wooden puzzle farm pieces
melissa & doug peg set wooden puzzle sea design
melissa & doug peg set wooden puzzle pets design
Amazon Link
Educational Value
95
Materials
91
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$20.99

Six large durable wooden pieces per puzzle

Peg handles easy for kids to grab hold of

Colorful fully illustrated puzzle boards

Individually wrapped, ideal to give as gifts

Animals illustrations laminated stickers not painted onto pieces

Some pieces can get lost.

Entertaining your little one while they work on those developmental milestones are easy with this set of three animal inspired wooden puzzles. The set comes with a puzzle that features farm animals, a puzzle that has household pets, and another with ocean animals. It is a wonderful set that feature everything that gets those little fingers and hands moving.

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Educational Value

Teach your child about farm life with horses, cows, and chickens, or engage them in underwater learning with whales, dolphins, and sharks. This is a great puzzle option for younger ages such a two, but also a wonderful learning guide for ages three and four as well. These puzzles will have a long-term place on your child’s shelves as they get older and the puzzles become less of a sensory game, and more of a learning game when they begin to identify specific animals.

Materials

Does your child love going to the petting zoo or maybe even love being around your family’s pets? Now they can have the animal environment they love so much right in front of them! These animal puzzles come in sets of three different themes: farm animals, common pets, and underwater marine life. Each of the puzzles is colorful and bright, filled with vibrant scenes and expressive animals.

Physical Development

Wooden puzzles offer motor skill improvement as well as sensory memorization and Melissa & Doug have created puzzle sets that do a great job of that and so much more. With these puzzles, your child will improve their coordination but also have the chance to learn about the animal pieces they’re taking out and fitting back in.

5. Melissa & Doug Alphabet & Numbers

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.3
melissa & doug alphabet & numbers wooden puzzle
melissa & doug alphabet & numbers wooden puzzle child playing
melissa & doug alphabet & numbers wooden puzzle numbers
Amazon Link
Educational Value
95
Materials
90
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$29.99

Wood composition makes the puzzles durable and safe

Increases knowledge of colors, letters, and numbers

Improves fine motor skills & hand-eye coordination

Designed with bright vibrant colors

The designs on the pieces are not printed on

Learning those numbers, letters, and colors with this set of three wooden constructed puzzles will be fun for all. The puzzles are a great way to promote their physical development while working towards letter, color, and number recognition. Each of the puzzles feature colorful images, vibrant color schemes, and appealing content to really get the little ones involved.

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Educational Value

With your purchase, you will receive three different educational wooden puzzles. Your little one can practice counting with the number puzzle that features numbers 0-9. They can also increase their knowledge of letters using the alphabet puzzle. The fish puzzle will help improve their color recognition. These puzzles are perfect for children between the ages of three and five.

Materials

Wooden constructed puzzles are ideal for the little ones. They are durable and sturdy allowing the little ones to really be able to use and work with the puzzles without parenting being worried about the pieces completing falling apart. Each of these puzzles are constructed with high quality wood that has been sanded and smooth edges. The construction provided a sturdy medium for lots of hours of learning fun.

Physical Development

As your child reaches for the pieces and places them in the correct spot on the board they will be increasing their fine motor skills as well as their hand-eye coordination. The bright vibrant colors will stimulate their sensory skills. There’s no reason to get nervous if your child places a piece in the wrong spot. They will improve their problem-solving skills as they work to find the correct spot for each piece. With each puzzle, they complete your child’s confidence will increase, thus helping them learn a sense of independence. As you build with them say the letters, numbers, or colors to them to help increase their social skills.

6. Fat Brain Toys Personalized Name

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93.3
fat brain toys personalized name wooden puzzles
Amazon Link
Educational Value
92
Materials
93
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$26.95

An interactive way for kids to learn their name

Fun and bright colors

Personalized gift makes this puzzle special

High-quality wood ensures it will last

Only nine letters can be used, including spaces

No punctuation marks can be added

Looking for that puzzle that has been made just for your little one? Well the search has been completed. This is a wooden puzzle that is made just for them with their name being the pieces to the puzzle. Each of the puzzles are made completely made to order just for them. It will feature their name with nine characters or less. It is the perfect working puzzle or even use it for decor in their room.

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Educational Value

Each letter in your child’s name will be uniquely designed with a different bright color for each, along with a puzzle board that will fit all the letters perfectly. This makes a great gift for holidays and birthdays and will become a toy that they’ll hold onto long after they’ve already learned to spell their name. When they’ve successfully learned to spell their name they’ll love bringing this puzzle in for show and tell to show all their friends how proud they are!

Materials

It wouldn’t be on this list if it wasn’t made out of wood. The name plate and the letters of your child’s name are made out of high-quality wood, thus making them durable enough to survive countless building sessions. All of the pieces have been sanded thus eliminating the possibility of your child getting a splinter. The letters have been painted so you won’t have to worry about them losing their bright shades over time.

Physical Development

Puzzles are a great way to learn how to spell and even more fun when what you’re child is learning, is their own name. Phonetics and letter placement are equally important when your child is learning how to spell and this puzzle can help with both as well as motor development.

7. Gybber & Mumu Preschool

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
gybber & mumu preschool wooden puzzle
gybber & mumu preschool wooden puzzle size
gybber & mumu preschool wooden puzzle child playing
gybber & mumu preschool wooden puzzle design
Amazon Link
Educational Value
96
Materials
88
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$7.99

Kid-friendly shape and color wooden puzzle

Each puzzle features nine different shapes and colors

Constructed from high-quality materials with kid-safe paints

Shapes can be used on board or stacked on the side

Boosts color and shape recognition

Water-based paints used and can chip easily

Puzzle shape pieces are thin and hard for the small hands to grip

Included with this wooden puzzle is one wooden board and nine pieces. It is a colorful puzzle that features all beginning shapes. Using this puzzle is perfect for introducing shapes and working with children on shape recognition. Each of the shapes are a bright color and all feature a different color making it easy to distinguish between them.

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Educational Value

Shapes, colors, and more--this learning puzzle is constructed from wood and offers multiple play-based learning activities. It is an overall great learning tool that will provide toddlers and kids with the ability to learn how to stack and match, along with encouraging them to identify shapes and colors.

Materials

The kid-friendly paints on the wooden pieces are water-based and contain no lacquers and are extremely durable. Each puzzle piece and the board have been created and constructed from high-quality materials and are safe for everyone in the family. Included with each puzzle are nine different colored shapes that each has a place on the wooden board. It is best suited for children over the age of 3 years old. Hours of endless open play will be experienced with this fun wooden puzzle with shapes and bright colors.

Physical Development

Wooden puzzles can be used for many play-based activities that are fun for the little ones, but while they are having fun, they are also learning. These wooden puzzles feature shapes and colors that promote recognition of each of them while also enhancing dexterity and motor skills. Parents are able to work with children using this puzzle to help learn their colors and shapes easily.

8. Rolimate Jigsaw Educational

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
93
rolimate jigsaw educational wooden puzzle
rolimate jigsaw educational wooden puzzle designs
rolimate jigsaw educational wooden puzzle pieces
Amazon Link
Educational Value
94
Materials
90
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Block design wooden puzzle with tray

Six puzzles in one

Set includes nine painted blocks and puzzle tray

Constructed with wooden and non toxic paint materials

Promotes strong problem solving skills

No pictures to guide the puzzle putting together process

Smaller wooden puzzle with nine individual blocks to make up the whole

One of the coolest things about this featured puzzle is that it is six wooden puzzles in one. The design of the puzzle features nine cubes that make up six different animals inspired cube puzzle. Each of the pieces of the puzzle are shaped like cubes and then each of the cubes fit done into the uniquely created tray.

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Educational Value

This has been designed to be the perfect toddler wooden puzzle has it helps promote the development of strong problem solving and physical developmental skills. When introducing colors, shapes, and animals having tools to enforce the lesson are a great way to develop strong skills that work towards early literacy.

Materials

Each of the nine blocks that are included with this puzzle set have been constructed from a solid piece of wood. Each of the sides have been sanded and then painted. The sanded edges ensure that there are no sharp corners or edges of the puzzle. The paint used on all the pieces is very colorful and non toxic.

Physical Development

The physical developmental skills work as an inspiration for children to work towards mastering hand eye coordination, color recognition skills, and fine motor skill development. Through this experience it will promote the development of their intellectual skills. The unique block design of this wooden puzzle will keep them interested and engaged for longer periods of time.

9. Melissa & Doug Space Voyage

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.3
melissa & doug space voyage wooden puzzle
melissa & doug space voyage wooden puzzle pieces
Amazon Link
Educational Value
93
Materials
89
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link

Artwork is excellent

Somewhat challenging

Pieces fit together snugly

Great for kids who love space

Some painted pieces may chip over time

Up and beyond is where is space themed puzzle is going to take your little ones. This is a space voyage puzzle that features 48 pieces. Each of the pieces are durable and fit together smoothly giving the complete picture a very flawless look. The details that are included in this scene will be awesome to discover when your little one finishes up this puzzle.

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Educational Value

Foster a love of Science in your child with this space voyage puzzle. Once these wooden puzzles for are built, your child can get an up-close look at the sun, moon, and planets. In fact, you can even take it further and teach your little one about galaxies, spaceships, and so much more. This puzzle doesn’t have to be enjoyed independently. Encourage your child to build with their friends and family to further increase their social skills.

Materials

Both the pieces and the board are composed of wood, thus allowing your child to build this puzzle over and over without fearing of it breaking. The wood base gives your little one a sturdy foundation on which to lay the puzzle pieces.

Physical Development

With forty-eight pieces, your child will experience a challenging but fun build. The beautiful artwork and bright colors will appeal to your child’s sensory skills while also inspiring them to be curious about the universe. While the pieces are durable they are lightweight and easy to grasp. Putting each piece in place will stimulate your child’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

10. BeginAgain Animal Parade A to Z

The rating is based on the average rating (1-100) from all the criteria in which we rated this product.
92.3
begin again animal parade A to Z wooden puzzles
begin again animal parade A to Z wooden puzzles shapes
begin again animal parade A to Z wooden puzzles box
Amazon Link
Educational Value
94
Materials
88
Physical Development
95
best offer for today
Amazon Link
$31.99

Board-less wooden puzzle featuring letters and animals

Each piece features a lowercase and uppercase letter

All pieces have corresponding animals and are cut into that shape

Constructed from rubber trees that have been sustainably harvested

Improves problem-solving skills

Paint used on the pieces has been applied thinly and chips easily

Letters and placing the puzzle together does not flow left to right

Wooden puzzles without the board allow children to build, create, and learn. This puzzle is all that and more. With each completed puzzle, little ones learn and improve their problem-solving skills on so many different levels. Learning their letters and animals will be super-fun with this puzzle.

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Educational Value

Puzzles that do not have boards are a great way to improve the problem-solving skills within children. This learning puzzle features letters and animals, but the real skill-building comes when they start to put it together. It can be stacked together in many ways, but getting them together is challenging and very rewarding at the same time.

Materials

It features animals from A to Z in an educational wooden puzzles game. All of the pieces of this puzzle feature a lowercase letter on one side and an uppercase letter on the other side then a corresponding animal is the shape. Each of these shapes then fit together in a variety of ways to create a parade-like an animal puzzle. The wood used in creating the pieces is from sustainably harvested rubber trees.

Physical Development

Being able to move about and put a puzzle together might be something that sounds odd, but this animal inspired alphabet puzzle is great for getting a little movement and physical developmental skills worked on. The puzzle is large enough that it can be worked around a table and when putting the puzzle together the development of fine motor skills is really worked.

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Educational Value

This is another crucial element that is found in wood puzzles building at an early age. Through building puzzles, kids will not only learn things such as letters of the alphabet or simple words but also there are other educational elements that can be sharpened such as language, mathematics and geography. A kid even at an early age can learn about solving problems and this is where a puzzle can come into play. Puzzles give kids many pieces and it’s up to them to figure out how to take these pieces and make them into a completed image. Puzzles are an early lesson about how to see a problem at hand and figure out how to fix it.

Materials

It is clear that wooden puzzles toys are one of the most beneficial learning tools you can ever provide your kid. It is, therefore, crucial to choose one that is not so complicated for your child’s developmental age but is challenging enough to make him or her want to strive. We know how difficult it can be to choose an age- and developmentally appropriate kids wooden puzzle so we have come up with our list of the 10 best. Our researchers have to consider the developmental appropriateness of a few hundred wooden puzzles and chose only those that are safe, of high-quality construction, manufactured by credible toy companies, and passed the discriminating tastes of parents.

Physical Development

Puzzles can be used to challenge and promote development in many age ranges, but when used in early childhood development like toddlers and kids the fine motor skills development challenge is amazing. Engaging with a wooden puzzle allows children to grasp pieces and learn how to manipulate each one to be able to fit into the exact shape of a neighboring piece or in a tray. Having many different puzzles available to them to play with and having a selection of different styles allows them to be able to master the fine motor skill set with working all the different shapes and the different sizes of the shapes. Each time they work the puzzle it will involve them being able to sort out the pieces, placing them, and completing the task. The movements develop the small muscles in the hands and also encourage the dexterity. Working a puzzle from start to finish is a complete physical process that is great for all the little ones to experience.

Parents, Did You Know?

Children of all ages are able to benefit from wooden puzzles. They offer a learning experience that is brain-building, engaging, and interactive. Puzzles help children develop their fine-motor skills, promote cooperative play, and boost their problem-solving abilities. When playing with wood puzzles, children most often benefit when adults are there to work with them. This is a great way to take a learning experience and also make it bonding time. Kids are able to feel proud of themselves for completing the wooden puzzle and adults are able to use it as a learning opportunity to encourage colors, shape, letter, and number recognition.

Parents, Did You Know?

There are so many different kinds of wooden puzzles for different ages of children. Young children benefit most from the puzzles that have large wooden pieces that fit together in easy board cutouts whereas older children like puzzles that have different shapes and more configurations. Then there are the puzzles that feature locks, flaps, and sounds. Everyone loves those kinds of puzzles.

Parents, Did You Know?

Puzzles help with the development and enhancement of your kids’ physical skills. Specifically, they learn to develop and master their hand-eye coordination as they try to pick up the puzzle pieces and slot them into their places. These kinds of toys also help develop and refine your child’s gross- and fine-motor skills. Younger kids will be able to develop their gross-motor skills as a necessary foundation for more precise fine-motor skills. As they grow older, they will be able to pick up and slot puzzle pieces with absolute precision which can help them master their fine-motor skills. This becomes the foundation for better handwriting skills later in childhood.

Other Factors to Consider

Social Development

It’s essential for a parent to build a bond with their child at any age. Building puzzles together is a great way to have a bonding moment. Building puzzles is also a great way for kids to learn how to socialize with other kids and spend quality time with their parents. This will include friends or their siblings who can help them put their puzzle together. So, puzzles can be a fun, challenging and interactive experience for more than one individual.

Wooden Puzzles are great for stimulating your child’s cognitive development while at the same time enhancing both his physical and emotional skills. We are optimistic that you will be able to choose several from our list of the 10 best wood puzzles to give to your kid.

Logic

Puzzle toys also help develop your kid’s cognitive skills, especially his or her recognition of shapes and colors as well as help enhance his or her memory, spatial intelligence, problem-solving skills, and a general understanding of the world. Wooden Puzzle that comes in different shapes and colors can develop and reinforce your kid’s recognition of these characteristics which can pave the way for more complex cognitive processing of more abstract puzzles. Your kid also will develop his or her memory as he or she attempts to remember or recall the specific shape of puzzle pieces that may not fit a particular slot now but will fit at a later time. This also helps enhance their spatial intelligence where they try to make sense of the puzzle slot and attempt to correlate that with the various shapes of puzzle pieces that they see. Overall, their problem-solving skills are enhanced through constant trial-and-error methods as well as the use of rudimentary logic and critical thinking skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

q: How do I keep track of puzzle pieces?

a:

One of the main cons of the wooden puzzles on this list is the fact that pieces can get lost over time. This is one of the main drawbacks of puzzles in general no matter the age level. So, when a child is done playing with the puzzle, try to account for all the pieces. The best way to do this is to put the puzzle together to store it away.

q: Are these wooden puzzles built to last?

a:

Wooden puzzles are quite durable and are built to last with quality construction. A wooden puzzle can take much wear and tear. That’s not to say that some care isn’t involved. For example, it is not a good idea to get a wooden puzzle wet such as a child accidentally spilling a beverage on it or leaving a puzzle out in the rain or throwing it in a pool. Water can damage the wood and cause it to warp and wear down so always make sure that if a puzzle is exposed to water or dampness, it is dried off immediately and then air-dried overnight.

q: Are all these wooden puzzles safe and nontoxic?

a:

This has been a major concern for parents since 2007 when the major plastic toy recall occurred that involved many popular baby toys. However, this recall involved plastic toys only, not wooden ones. A wooden puzzle is made from something that is completely natural. Yes, there are other things that are involved such as paint, finishes and even a certain amount of plastic. As stated above, several of the wooden puzzles listed here ensure consumers that these puzzles were made with the nontoxic material. The companies featured on this list have taken the time to understand these concerns and to try to put their consumer’s fears to rest by creating puzzles for younger kids that are safe and nontoxic.

q: Can a wooden puzzle be cleaned and sterilized?

a:

Like any young child’s toy, it will be important to sterilize wooden puzzles periodically. However, there are certain parameters to keep in mind, such as using a safe, nontoxic cleaner such diluted vinegar placed in an empty spray bottle that will actually disinfect the pieces without being harmful to the child. Another thing to always remember is not to soak any of these pieces in water, as water is an enemy of wood. The best course of action is to get a spray bottle of the nontoxic cleaner of choice, spray the toy with the cleaner, then using a damp washcloth go over the toy once more. Afterward, gently pat down the toy with a dry sterile towel, then place the pieces in a dry spot for them to air dry, usually overnight. There are several step-by-step tutorials that can be found online that will guide you through sterilizing wooden puzzles and other wooden toys.

q: What is the ideal age for a kid to start building puzzles?

a:

On average, the ideal age for a child to start being introduced to simple puzzles such as the ones listed here is age 2 years. However, a child who is around 12 months old will start to learn about placing things such as blocks into containers. A few of the puzzles listed here are ideal for this stage of development and are perfect for kids who are 1 year of age.

q: How do I know which puzzle is ideal for my child?

a:

First, it’s important to take into consideration the age of your child. As stated above, not all wooden puzzles are ideal for all age levels. It’s always important when choosing a puzzle to look at the box for a listing of the age recommendation. If your child falls below the recommended age level, this isn’t the ideal puzzle for them. Also, as a child grows they start to develop interests, and this is also a hint as to which puzzle will interest them. Yes, always a good idea to buy some educational puzzles such as the examples above, which are ideal for kids who are around 4 or 5 years old and prepare them for what they will be or are learning in school.

q: How do I get my child to interact with puzzle building?

a:

This can be a challenge for parents who are trying to get their toddlers to understand what wooden puzzlesare. Sometimes, the child will just watch the parent build the puzzle, and not interact at first themselves. The best course of action is to be patient. If a parent shows the child step by step what needs to be done to complete the puzzle, eventually the child will catch on that they themselves can do this.

q: Will puzzles continue to interest my child the older they become?

a:

This is a good question with no easy answer. The older a child gets the more they will no doubt be interested in technology and video games. However, introducing them to puzzles at an early age could very well lead to them wanting to continue building puzzles and perhaps even give them a fun-filled hobby as they get older. In any case, a kid will still learn some great developmental skills-building puzzles at a young age, no doubt about that.

Sources

  1. Baby Center, When can my baby do simple puzzles?, Informative Articles
  2. Janice Davis, Why Puzzles are so Important for Kids Learning?, Informative Article
  3. Zac Cusac , The Benefits of Puzzles in Early Childhood Development, Informative Article
  4. Puzzle WareHouse, By Age, Product Information
  5. Sara Langer, How to Clean Wood Toys: An Easy Guide, How to Guide