Puzzles for Younger Kids

Many of the puzzles in this category will also present a challenge for many adults!

The Best Wood Puzzle Games for Each Age Group

If you’ve been scrolling the Mr Puzzle site wondering which puzzle is best for the little one in your life, we’ve narrowed down a few age groups and puzzles that should challenge their cognitive abilities in the best way.

• 2-3 years: Your toddler will begin to recognise and understand concepts like shapes, colours, numbers, time, and opposites. They’re ready to start problem-solving for themselves, so it’s the perfect time to get them their first puzzle. We’d recommend starting them off with the wooden geometric shapes and fractions puzzle.
• 3-5 years: Toddlers see leaps and bounds in their physical development as they learn to do things by themselves. They’ll begin to develop fine motor skills as they learn to hold items between their thumbs and first two fingers and they can start to follow simple instructions. We’d suggest this wooden 2D mosaic puzzle.
• 6-8 years: By this point in their lives, kids have been going through rapid cognitive development. Their language is developing by the day, and they’re becoming more independent. We’d suggest this Aussie Kids coloured wood tangram to help them tune their fine motor skills.

How to Help Your Kids without Giving Away the Solution

When you see your child struggling, it’s only natural to want to swoop in and help. However, the reward is much greater when kids can solve the problem for themselves. Those benefits such as self-esteem, concentration, emotional regulation only come from finishing things on their own. Here are a few ways you can help your kids solve their puzzle without giving the solution away.

• What is the problem? Asking children what they are struggling with allows them to articulate their frustration and better ask for help. Have them identify their problem and communicate it to you.
• Mitigate frustration. If your child is angry, confused, or upset, this is an opportunity to teach them how to calm themselves down. Practice breathing exercises and other coping mechanisms to help them build resilience. Encourage your kids to slow down and take their time solving the problem.
• Learn from mistakes. If your kid makes a mistake, encourage them to learn from it. Ask them why they think it didn’t work, how they’re going to do it differently, and applaud their efforts.