A List of Our Family’s Favorite Puzzle Brands
Are you a collector?
If so, then you will understand why I just can't leave a pretty puzzle lying on the store shelf. Especially the seasonal ones. When I spot a new one, my willpower just quietly slips out the door, and I end up bringing it home.
Maybe I have an excuse, though. I grew up in a puzzle family, and Sundays at my grandma's meant a puzzle on the table (and card games, when we weren't puzzling). Over the years we've tried all kinds, from classic jigsaws to wooden ones to 3D builds, and I've noticed that some brands are just made better than others.
Here are the ones we keep coming back to:
Cavallini & Co.
The award for prettiest puzzles and packaging goes to Cavallini & Co., hands down. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the quality is fantastic: sturdy pieces, vibrant images, and cylindrical containers that can handle some serious wear and tear. No crushed, ripped puzzle boxes here!
Our favorites are their mini puzzles. They're the perfect size to toss in a bag for trips or a Sunday at grandma's. 240 pieces means they're just challenging enough to feel satisfying while still easy to finish one or two in an afternoon. The whole family can pitch in, from the kids to the grandparents. That's a win in our house!
The New York Puzzle Company
Oh, the New York Puzzle Company. An illustrator's Achilles heel.
The pieces snap together snugly, the boxes are built to last, and the artwork is absolute perfection. What more could you ask for in a puzzle? They're my go-to for seasonal designs especially, because there's nothing better than a cup of cocoa, a little Bing Crosby, and a holiday puzzle spread out on the table at Christmastime.
One thing I will note about this company is that their puzzles can be difficult. These take us quite a while to finish! But the artwork is so charming, and these are definitely worth gluing and framing once they are done.
Mudpuppy Puzzles
The best puzzles for kids! Mudpuppy's artwork is bright and lively, the pieces are big enough for even my youngest, and many of the ones we own are educational, too. A nerdy art mom's dream product!
These are by far the most requested puzzles at our house, and I love that I can sit down and finish one with my kids in under 20 minutes. They love pulling them out on a rainy day when all we want is to get cozy and relax. It's such an easy way to spend some quiet time together.
Brother & Sister Design Studio
This brand's wooden puzzles are so much fun! Fair warning: they're difficult, but so satisfying. I wouldn't call them kid-friendly, but they are definitely husband approved. My husband can happily spend hours on one.
I've only been able to find these at Hobby Lobby, but if there isn't a store near you, they carry them online too. Just search "Brother & Sister Design Studio" on Hobby Lobby's site. We also own the succulent garden and tree of life puzzles, and we love them all!
Brands I’m looking into
Here are the brands I'm eyeing but haven't brought home yet. If my track record holds, that won't last long!
Puzzlefolk
This is a Utah brand! I'd love to visit their shop sometime. Puzzlefolk carries 500 and 1,000 piece puzzles with a huge variety of illustrations. Their Christmas puzzles look adorable, and I'm thinking of grabbing Believe in the Magic and The First Noel for my kiddos this year!
Magic Puzzle Company
This company's puzzles really are magic! My sister owns a couple of them, and since she's the coolest aunt ever, she brought The Crystal Cave over so the kids could help solve it. This brand combines a puzzle, a game of I Spy, and a magic trick all in one. You feel like you've embarked on a quest when the box lid comes off, and my kids loved the big reveal at the end. Such a clever concept!
Well, there's the list! Grab a few (plus some hot chocolate) for your family's next puzzle night.
