Puzzles

Once it’s time to step away from the computer, it’s important to indulge in your favorite hobbies or pick up new ones. Puzzles are a great way to pass the time whether you’re enjoying peace and quiet alone or you’re spending quality time with your entire family. They are incredibly fun, involve a little bit of strategy and can be enjoyed in an afternoon or over the course of a few weeks. Puzzles come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and piece quantities, so there is truly something for everyone. To learn more about puzzles and what you should look for when choosing one, keep reading!

What is a Puzzle?

A puzzle is a kind of game in which an image printed on cardboard or wood that has been randomly cut into different pieces and designed for puzzlers to piece back together. Many enjoy playing with them because they can be extremely peaceful and offer a completely different experience every time. Additionally, they boast a wide range of benefits.

Puzzle Benefits

The primary benefit of puzzles is that they can help improve your short term memory. The act of reassembling the pieces helps to reinforce connections between brain cells and improves overall mental speed. Puzzles are also great for improving visual spatial reasoning because players have to assess individual spaces and figure out where different pieces go. It has also been found that people who do puzzles may be less likely to develop Alzheimer's or dementia.

Completing puzzles is also a great way to practice self-care. Some find puzzling to be soothing and meditative, while others consider it a major stress reliever.

At Staples, you can even create your own personalized photo puzzle by uploading a picture.

What Kind of Puzzle Should You Buy?

Staples carries a wide variety of puzzles, below are some factors to keep in mind when you buy a puzzle.

Age Range

There are puzzles for all ages, so it’s important to find ones that are age appropriate. The majority of puzzle boxes prominently feature the ideal age range for the design but use your discretion when browsing. If you’re shopping for children, consider getting one that presents a challenge without being frustrating to the younger players. If you’re shopping for adult players, consider searching for a design that is a bit more complex and time consuming. For family puzzles, keep in mind all ages so everyone will be participating.

Theme

Jigsaw puzzles come in a seemingly endless amount of designs and themes, so the world is your oyster when picking one. To help narrow down the search, start by finding a theme that interests you and go from there until you find the perfect design. That way, no matter if you like animals, princesses, or even vintage cars, you’ll be able to find a puzzle that you’ll love to complete.

Number of Puzzle Pieces

Along with the versatility of the theme a puzzle can be featured in, the number of pieces can also be wide ranging. Puzzles with under 250 pieces work well for younger children. Those with 250 to 750 pieces are good for older children or adults who want a slight challenge. Designs with 750 to over 1,000 pieces are complex and work perfectly for those who are looking for long, interesting puzzles, or those who have prior experience puzzling.