Are you struggling with thinking of a Christmas gift your little one will play with for more than 10 minutes before boredom strikes? Are you getting peeved with getting bamboozled by all these ridiculously gimmicky Christmas presents which require a bajillion batteries?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas presents, but quite frankly, I don’t want a tonne of brain-numbing toys exploding onto our floor this Christmas. But what I do want is….some good old-fashioned jigsaw puzzles, as well as some other modern options like the ones from Unidragon.
Truth be told, we have a bit of a love affair with jigsaw puzzles in this house at the moment. It started with a two-piece set at 18 months, fast forward on to seven years old and we’ve never looked back since.
With that said, I’ve teamed up with toysandbears.com – an easy to use site where parents can choose toys and bears by age or interest, all at a competitive price – to hold the banner high now, and telling you to go forth, and reclaim jigsaw puzzles as your Christmas gift of choice for the following reasons!
1. Jigsaw puzzles keep your children better entertained than flashing lights and noises
Let’s face it, when you have seen a few lights, pressed a few buttons and heard a few songs – the holy trinity of most toys on offer – the show is over. The beauty of jigsaw puzzles is that while most toys only touch on very basic problem-solving skills – if at all – jigsaw puzzles take problem-solving to the next level and far beyond by helping our little would-be cherubs to hone their logic, develop critical thinking and memory, enhance visualization and power up their creativity. Extra brownie points for the fact that the reward they get when they solve a jigsaw puzzle is much better than any flashing light and noise combo!
2. They go the extra mile
Unlike many other toys, jigsaw puzzles take persistence and practice to get them right. This means that while other toys have been long discarded because they have already been figured out, jigsaw puzzles will see strong-headed little ones returning to them countless times, until they have absolutely mastered them. That means months and months and quite possibly dare I say it, years! of mileage – but more importantly, hours and hours of relative peace for parents as little ones tackle the challenge of completing and mastering puzzles.
3. Learning the fun way
We all know we are supposed to be supporting the learning of literacy and numeracy in our little’uns but quite frankly, in these busy lives we lead, it can sometimes be difficult to have the headspace to find fun and creative ways of doing that. Thankfully there are some great educational jigsaw puzzles out there which focus on teaching ABCs and 123s.
4. Helping your child get the hang of the small stuff
Let’s face it, the quicker our munchkins can hone their fine and gross motor skills, the easier all our lives will be. Jigsaw puzzles are a great way of developing their finger muscles and dexterity (think less dropping of everything, everywhere; and being able to hold a pencil!). And so ultimately, they’re not just a great gift for them…but also you!
Cover picture credit: People photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com
If you enjoyed this post, please consider supporting this site by buying us a virtual coffee.
[…] Find me a gift! 4 reasons why puzzles rule ok this and every Christmas – some inspiration for those of you still scrabbling around for Crimbo presents that won’t end up in the charity shop heap! […]
I loooove puzzles, we have bought our boy puzzles this xmas and have asked for more from family as well. They are the best entertainment! They can actually keep DS entertained for 20 minutes – win for me!!! He has the shortest attention span normally, but loves his puzzles 🙂
We MUST as a family get better at doing puzzles and board games. We’ve had a rollercoast couple of months and been relying on screen time a bit too much. Your post is a kick up the back side and a much needed one.
PS Thanks for hosting #coolmumsclub
Yes!! I used to love puzzles when I was little and it’s not something I’ve even thought about for Baby Girl. She’s still a little young but I think it would be good to get her a basic one this Christmas. Thanks for the inspo xxx #coolmumclub
I love this post as an antidote to all the latest gadgets that are popping up on Christmas gift lists this time of year. So much fun watching young ones work things out and terrific for all the reasons you give above. I love a good puzzle, but hardly ever make the time myself. Life is a bit of a puzzle some days haha 🙂 #coolmumclub
Love this post! It must be so easy to just buy yet another toy, but this gift shows thought and goes the extra mile! Plus who doesn’t love a puzzle! Competitive streak anyone 😉 My boy and husband will be all over this in a few years #coolmumclub xx
I live puzzle and I remember loving them when I was little 2. We have actually bought Leo a couple puzzles for Christmas as I agree with you,, they are so much better than the flashy noisy things!xx #coolmumclub
So that should say – ‘I love puzzles and I remember loving them when I was little too’ clearly it’s too early for me to be blogging haha
I love Orchard Toys puzzles. They just seem that bit more substantial than many others. I think (wink wink) that Santa might have a few in his sleigh for our tots this year….
#xoolmumclub x
Completely agree! Can’t wait for my bubba to be old enough to do them. So in the meantime, I have bought some to keep her grandmother entertained instead! Ha ha #coolmumclub
I love puzzles as presents for my little one. He engages more with them than other toys and learns the fun way. I’ve picked up a few for Christmas this year so I really hope he takes to them like he did the others. You really can’t go wrong with a puzzle and it’s a bonus that they are educational as well as fun. Great post! #coolmumclub
Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
I totally agree that puzzles always make a wonderful gift. There is so much learning in a puzzle. I’ve heard really great things about the high quality of Orchard Toys, which is important with puzzles for little ones. #coolmumclub x
Puzzles are fabulous. Unfortunately we always seem to be a piece or two down. The main task is getting all the pieces together before we start. Fantastic Christmas idea though! #coolmumclub
You can never go wrong with a jigsaw puzzle. I love buying these for presents, I agree that there can be a bit more substance to a traditional puzzle than some of the all singing/dancing toys. Great suggestions. #Coolmumsclub
Oh I love puzzles. All the boys have a couple to unwrap on Christmas Day.
I’ve always loved doing puzzles with them!
Lovely post! Totally agree with you! I think going back to the basic toys like puzzles is more educational compared to some of the new toys nowadays, they’re cheap to buy as well. #coolmumclub
Definitely…although having a smaller sibling somewhat catastrophic for the jigsaws…guess there is always the table 🙂 #coolmumclub
Glad I just read this post, think I might need a couple of puzzles in the kids stockings this year! #coolmumclub
I love the Orchard Toys range. I’ve asked for puzzles for Mini R (18mo) for xmas hoping they will occupy his mind and so he’s not constantly playing with toys that have songs that make me want to gouge my eyes out. #CoolMumClub
This is such a refreshing post! And has reminded me how much I love puzzles, especially Orchard Toys ones. They definitely win over the latest piece of flashy, noisy plastic crap. Happy Christmas! x #coolmumclub
Love it, much more engaging for a child and they are learning (double plus)! Rather than bashing around a flashy truck that makes siren noises. ; ) #coolmumclub
So cool! The Tubblet used to love stuff from Orchard 🙂
Yes, even my we-won’t-play-with-anything boys will play with a puzzle!! It’s a struggle to stop bits going between the floorboards (underneath our front room there is a graveyard for puzzle pieces!!) but they do love them!
#coolmumclub
I do so love me a puzzle…just find it so frustrating not to do it for them..!!!?? Bad mummy? Indeed! Need to tie my hands behind my back. Cheers! #coolmumclub
Great post as I totally agree. My two love puzzles and I know it will keep them amused for more than 5 minute. #coolmumclub xx
I love to do puzzles with the little ones. Perfect to occupy them during the colder months.
Doing puzzles with grandchildren who live far away is splendid bonding time
The whole family enjoy doing jigsaws together!
We love jigsaw puzzles! We do them as a family!
Isn’t it odd that toy trends change so quickly and have become techy and expensive bug jigsaw puzzles never get old.
Yes, definitely! Jigsaws have been passed down in my family for generations. I am now doing jigsaws with my children that I did with my grandma. Such a fun way to pass the time together.
I nephew would love the finding memo puzzle.
*My
My twin girls love doing puzzles so much that they need some more challenging ones to attempt! They really do help with problem solving and are more educational than they are given credit for.
Love jigsaws. Great for problem solving and coordination for kids.
My Granddaughter loves jigsaws as she enjoys putting the pieces in place & seeing the picture appear.
jigsaws are a brilliant gift because they improve children’s dexterity wityout them realising. Manoeuvring those little pieces helps with their hand eye coordination.
My twins enjoy doing jigsaws which is great as I’ve always loved doing jigsaws, I have bought them one each for Christmas
I am totally with you. Puzzles make lovely gifts and my kids love them thankfully. They have a growing collection x
my grandchildren love doing puzzles it keeps them busy for hours!
Who could possibly disagree with anything in your post? Jigsaws are enduring favourites for good reason!
My kids love jigsaws, and the concentration seems to be calming for them!
mine loves doing puzzles,so do i 🙂
My granddaughter enjoys doing puzzles, and I enjoy helping her.
We all love a puzzle in this house as it is something we can all get involved in and do together.
My 3 year old absolutely loves puzzles, he’s so skilled at them and can do them for age 6+. We’ve got several new ones for him for Christmas