13 Easy Jigsaw Puzzles For Beginners [Relax And Learn]
The best ones have clear designs and fewer pieces so you can finish without frustration. These puzzles also improve problem-solving abilities and help train your brain.
Sep 15, 202518.9K Shares295.8K Views
Jigsaw puzzlesare a relaxing and enjoyable way to pass the time while giving your brain a little workout. If you are new to puzzling, starting with an easy one can turn the experience into pure fun instead of frustration. Simple puzzles usually have fewer pieces and bright, clear pictures that are easy to match.
Not only are puzzles entertaining, they can also boost your memory, sharpen your focus, and help melt away stress. In this article, you’ll find beginner-friendly jigsaw puzzles to try, along with tips to help you solve them with ease and confidence.
Ravensburger “Travel Far” Puzzle (2-5 Pieces)
Ravensburger’s My First Travel Far puzzle set is like a little ticket to adventure for toddlers! Inside the box, you’ll find four mini puzzles with just 2, 3, 4, and 5 chunky pieces, perfect for tiny hands. Each puzzle shows a cheerful vehicle, like a green train, a bright red double-decker bus, a friendly tractor, and a speedy little car, all in bold, happy colors.
The pictures are full of helpful clues such as clear outlines, easy-to-spot backgrounds, and big details so little puzzlers can piece them together without feeling stuck. It is a playful way to teach the basics of matching shapes and colors while boosting their “I can do it!” confidence.
Melissa & Doug Chunky Wooden Puzzles (4 Pieces Each)
Melissa & Doug makes durable wooden floor puzzles with very large pieces for little hands. Their farm or zoo animal puzzles have just 4-6 oversized pieces that fit together on the floor. These chunky puzzles are ideal for beginners and children because the pieces are sturdy, easy to grasp, and each puzzle forms a complete scene.
Wooden or large-piece puzzles are recommended for new puzzlers because the size and design minimize frustration. This line in particular is known for quality and beginner-friendly designs.
White Mountain Farm Animals (300 Pieces)
White Mountain Puzzles’ Farm Animals is a beginner-friendly 300-piece set that’s packed with familiar critters. The completed image (18″×24″) shows a curious cow, sheep, chicks, bunnies, a kitten on a horse, and a barnyard scene with vivid greens and reds.
Because the puzzle is only 300 pieces and each animal and object is brightly colored, beginners can spot matching pieces fairly easily. Beginner puzzles from this brand range from 300-550 pieces with extra-large pieces for kids and seniors, making them manageable for newcomers. People who regularly join daily jigsaw puzzle activities often love this one because each section feels like a quick, achievable goal.
White Mountain Dinosaurs (300 Pieces)
Another 300-piece puzzle is Dinosaurs, illustrated by artist P.D. Moreno. It depicts a lively prehistoric scene with many dinosaur species on land and in water. The high contrast between creatures and background helps new puzzlers: for example, the bright orange dinosaurs stand out against green palm trees and blue sky.
This 300-piece set (finished 18″×24″) is great for kids, capturing the excitement of the Mesozoic era. Beginners will enjoy matching the distinct colors of each dinosaur and assembling the action-packed illustrations.
White Mountain Travel The World (500 Pieces)
If you enjoy travel themes, White Mountain’s Travel The World is a 500-piece puzzle with retro-style posters. It features colorful, vintage travel posters from destinations like Cuba, France, Switzerland, Australia, and more.
Each small poster block acts as its own mini-picture, so beginners can sort and complete one country at a time. The variety of colors and patterns makes grouping pieces easier. This puzzle’s clear sections and moderate piece count make it accessible for new puzzlers.
White Mountain Old Candy Store (1000 Pieces)
For a fun, colorful image with more pieces, try White Mountain’s Old Candy Store . This 18″×24″ puzzle shows a candy shop filled with gumdrops, gummy bears, lollipops, licorice, and other sweets. The vast array of candy shapes means each color section is fairly distinct.
Beginners can sort by candy type or color and gradually put together sections. Although 1000 pieces is more than a typical beginner puzzle, the clear imagery and high-contrast colors keep the difficulty manageable for enthusiastic newcomers.
White Mountain Noah’s Ark (300 Pieces)
A third 300-piece option from White Mountain is Noah’s Ark, an animal-themed puzzle by Eva Nikolskaya. The scene shows pairs of animals boarding the ark two by two, with a sunny sky in the background.
This puzzle has large, bold drawings of the animals on deck, so matching pieces by animal color is intuitive. Completing the ark’s wooden structure and the blue water below gives clear sections. Its simplified design helps beginners stay on track.
Large-Piece Floor And Jigsaw Kits
Beyond specific images, look for large-piece puzzles or multi-puzzle kits. Many beginner puzzles come in the 100-300 piece range with oversized pieces. For example, floor jigsaw kits include 4 smaller puzzles that combine into one big image. The advantage is each sub-puzzle has very large pieces and a simple picture.
Beginner sets have “large, easy-to-handle pieces” ideal for small hands. Any “jumbo” or floor puzzle labeled for young kids will be very forgiving. Start with one featuring bright animals or vehicles, then gradually move to finer puzzles.
Cartoon & Animal-Themed Puzzles
Puzzles with cartoon characters, comics, or cute animals are great for beginners of all ages. Young and old alike can tackle a 100-300 piece puzzle if the image is clear. For example, puzzles featuring friendly cartoon forest scenes, farm animals, comic book moviesor favorite movie characters can motivate puzzlers.
The key is a simple, distinct image - avoid solid sky or water areas. Look for puzzles where the main subjects stand out clearly. Themes like landscapes and animals are easiest to start with because the variety of colors and patterns help sort pieces.
Jigsaw Puzzle Apps (Digital Puzzles)
Beginner puzzlers can also try mobile or tablet apps. Apps like “Jigsaw Puzzles - Puzzle Games” (Android/iOS) offer thousands of free puzzles in hundreds of categories. These digital jigsaws often let you choose piece count (from under 100 up to 400+) and can automatically highlight matching spots.
Digital puzzles cover all major categories and are easy to play for seniors and kids. The convenience of selecting a smaller puzzle and using hints (or even turning pieces as needed) can boost confidence. Plus, you can rotate or shuffle without losing pieces. For beginners who enjoy screens, a puzzle app is an easy, mess-free way to practice the skills.
Printable Jigsaw Puzzles
For a no-cost option, use free printable jigsaw puzzles. Many websites offer PDF puzzles you can print on cardstock. You simply cut along the template lines. This lets beginners start extremely small and build up. Printable puzzles are great for customizing the experience - you can choose an age-appropriate size; 9 or 36 pieces, as recommended by child development experts. These printables are designed so that even the 9-piece versions help very young children recognize shapes and patterns in a simple way.
Scenic Nature And Landscape Puzzles
Puzzles featuring scenic landscapes or nature can be surprisingly beginner-friendly if the image has distinct sections. For instance, a 200-500 piece puzzle of a colorful mountain lake, forest, or flower garden can be easier than one solid blue ocean. This is because each natural feature provides a clue.
Puzzles with clear, distinct images are easier to assemble than those with large uniform areas. Try a puzzle of a bright meadow with flowers and a cabin, or a sunset beach where the sky and sand contrast. Beginners can sort by sky pieces, water pieces, etc. The combination of vivid colors and clear boundaries makes these scenic puzzles a satisfying challenge.
Creative And Custom Puzzles
Finally, beginners can get creative with custom or novelty puzzles. For example, many services let you upload a photo to make a puzzle - pick a picture you love and order it in an easy size (300 pieces or less). Alternatively, look for educational jigsaws or pattern puzzles that come with simple images.
The point is to choose something personally engaging. Even though these aren’t standard products, they follow the same rules: start with fewer, larger pieces and clear colors or shapes. If you design your own printable puzzle, remember the guidelines; use about 9 to 36 pieces depending on age, and label backside for reference.
How To Solve Jigsaw Puzzles - Tips For Beginners
Before you begin, turn all pieces picture-side up on a large flat surface. This lets you see every color and detail. Sort the pieces into groups: edges vs. centers, and by obvious colors or patterns. Using trays or bowls to keep them organized can help. Start by building the border first.
Edges have one flat side - assembling this frame gives you a clear outline. Next, identify a distinctive section of the image to tackle, such as a bright tree, a building, or a cluster of flowers. Assemble that piece of the puzzle. Completing small sections is motivating and makes it easier to see where surrounding pieces fit. If pieces of the same color or texture are left, try sorting those by the piece shape.
Take your time and be patient. Puzzles are meant to be fun and even relaxing. Many beginners find that learning the basics also opens the door to enjoying daily puzzle benefitssuch as better memory, sharper focus, and reduced stress. If you get stuck, step away briefly or work on another section.
Celebrate small wins, like finishing the border or one animal, to keep motivated. With each puzzle you complete, you’ll learn new strategies and gain confidence. Remember, even experts tackle challenging puzzles bit by bit – the goal is steady progress and enjoyment.
FAQs About Easy Jigsaw Puzzles
What Puzzle Size Is Best For Beginners?
Start small. For adults or older kids new to puzzles, 100-500 pieces is a good range. Puzzles around 300 pieces often hit the sweet spot - they’re challenging yet manageable. Very young children should start under 50 pieces and work up.
What Themes Or Images Work Best?
Choose clear, high-contrast images. Puzzles with distinct objects and many colors are easiest. Landscapes, cityscapes, or cartoon scenes usually have obvious sections. Avoid puzzles dominated by one color or pattern until you gain skill.
Which Brands Make Beginner Puzzles?
Several brands offer beginner-friendly puzzles. White Mountain Puzzles has many 30-550 piece sets with bright, detailed images. Melissa & Doug offers sturdy wooden puzzles with large pieces ideal for kids.
Can I Do Puzzles On My Phone Or Tablet?
Many apps offer thousands of puzzles with adjustable difficulty. They often include hints and the ability to choose fewer pieces to start. Look for free jigsaw apps on your device’s store - they’re perfect for beginners who want to practice without buying a physical set.
Are Printable Jigsaw Puzzles Good For Beginners?
Yes, free printable puzzles come in easy sizes for kids. Print them on heavy paper or cardstock. These let beginners get the same experience without cost. Just cut along the lines and enjoy the puzzle - it’s a great DIY introduction.
Conclusion
Getting started with jigsaw puzzles is as easy as picking the right one. Beginners do best with fewer pieces, bigger chunks, and clear, colorful pictures. The important thing is to have fun and build confidence one step at a time.
Follow the tips above: sort your pieces, build the edges first, and focus on clear sections. Before you know it, you’ll be snapping that final piece into place with a big smile. Now that you know which puzzles are easiest and how to tackle them, happy puzzling! If you found these ideas helpful, share this article with friends or family who love puzzles. And next time someone asks for a fun, easy puzzle suggestion, you’ll be ready with the perfect answer.
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Jump to
Ravensburger “Travel Far” Puzzle (2-5 Pieces)
Melissa & Doug Chunky Wooden Puzzles (4 Pieces Each)
White Mountain Farm Animals (300 Pieces)
White Mountain Dinosaurs (300 Pieces)
White Mountain Travel The World (500 Pieces)
White Mountain Old Candy Store (1000 Pieces)
White Mountain Noah’s Ark (300 Pieces)
Large-Piece Floor And Jigsaw Kits
Cartoon & Animal-Themed Puzzles
Jigsaw Puzzle Apps (Digital Puzzles)
Printable Jigsaw Puzzles
Scenic Nature And Landscape Puzzles
Creative And Custom Puzzles
How To Solve Jigsaw Puzzles - Tips For Beginners
FAQs About Easy Jigsaw Puzzles
Conclusion
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