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Children learn through play. As an occupational therapist who works with children and youth, I use games and toys almost every day to help develop important cognitive, visual perceptual, motor, sensory, social, play and leisure skills. While many different types of activities can be used in therapy, this blog focuses on off-the-shelf games and toys that are accessible to most. Whether you are a therapist, parent, teacher, or a game lover like me, I hope you discover something useful while you are here. Learn a different way to play a game you already own or discover a new game for your next family game night. Either way, just go play. It's good for you!

The OT Magazine named The Playful Otter one of the Top 5 Pediatric OT Blogs.


Aug 23, 2023

Family Style Jigsaw Puzzle


Family-Style Puzzles have three different sized pieces.

Do you love jigsaw puzzles and wish the whole family could sit down together and join in the fun, but a 750 piece puzzle would be too hard for one and a 200 piece puzzle would be too easy for another? Well wish no longer because it is possible to purchase "family style" jigsaw puzzles, puzzles that are designed so that everyone can work together at their own level.

Family-style puzzles include three different sized pieces - small, medium and large - in one box. I have given these puzzles as gifts and recommended them to families on numerous occasions. I'm always happy when I can figure out an activity that families can do together when there are different cognitive and/or skill levels involved, and this is one. 

A family-style puzzle typically starts on one side with a single sized piece and moves to the other side (or top to bottom), with the pieces changing in size as you go. I haven't run across them too often, but we assembled one a couple of days ago at home and then I saw another family-style puzzle at one of my kid's homes yesterday. So I am going to add the few I know about below and then I will do a computer search and see if I can find others.

Here is the puzzle we recently assembled and the graphic on the back that showed where the different sized pieces were located on the puzzle. Let the kids start on the big pieces on one side, the adults start with the small pieces on the other side, and work until you meet somewhere in the middle.



For tips on how to teach kids how to work jigsaw puzzles, read my post Tips for Assembling Jigsaw Puzzles.


NOTE: I have owned and/or blogged about the first few puzzles on the list. The others I found through an internet search and are affiliate links to Amazon.

Snowy Afternoon Friends - 300 pieces

Disney Family Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle - 400 pieces

I SPY Christmas - WARNING - This is not a family style puzzle, even though the box says so and even shows the piece sizes on the box. The pieces are all the same size.

The Peanuts Movie Family Puzzle - 400 pieces

Peeking Through - 400 pieces (animals)

Together Time - 400 pieces (Charlie Brown)

Puppies Picnic - 399 pieces

Gingerbread Houses - 350 pieces

Summer Carnival - 400 pieces

Apple of My Eye - 400 pieces

Springtime Wonders - 400 pieces (animals)

Ocean Park - 400 pieces

Three Generations - 400 pieces


Check out other types of puzzles I have blogged about:


Progressive Puzzles - 9 board puzzles for beginners - 4 to 9 pieces each
Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles - A good place to start
Tumble Jumble Pond Life Puzzle - A 3D puzzle with rectangular pieces printed on all sides



2 comments:

  1. I absolutely love adult jigsaw puzzles! They provide such a relaxing and immersive experience. There's something so satisfying about sorting through all those pieces and slowly seeing the image come together. Plus, they're a fantastic way to unwind after a long day and give your mind a break from screens. I've even started framing some of my completed puzzles as unique pieces of wall art. It's a hobby that combines creativity and mindfulness, and I can't recommend it enough!

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  2. I'm right there with you! While I was working I dreamed of the time when I would retire and have more time to relax with jigsaw puzzles. LOL

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