Put your phones, laptops and iPads away and turn to a good old-fashioned jigsaw for a digital detox.
Not only will it be a respite from the world of social media, but these puzzles will stimulate your cognitive functions with a mind-boggling, brain-teasing, problem-solving activity.
From 500 to 1000-piece editions, jigsaw puzzles come in all shapes, sizes and styles. Choose your preferred design and get the whole family involved in the challenge of completing it.
This group activity is a great way to bring everyone together, encourage team work, and has also been proven to have mindfulness qualities that will boost your mental wellbeing (there’s no surprise there that they boomed in lockdown). It’s easy to achieve, all you need is to invest in one of the options below, clear a table to work on and have patience to kick things off.
Here we’ve rounded up some of our favourite jigsaw puzzles that are not for the faint-hearted. There’s iterations for the cheese and wine connoisseurs and even one for the die-hard Agatha Christie fans.
Happy puzzling!
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Piece and Quiet Daydreamers 500 Piece Art Jigsaw Puzzle
Switch off and escape to your happy place - whether at the spa, beach or hitting the slopes - through this beautiful 500-piece art jigsaw.
It has been designed by artist Kitty O’Rourke and is made in the UK as part of Piece and Quiet’s mindful creativity collection. As the ultimate way to unwind, there’s also an artist spotlight card included too to get to know the designer.
Buy now £26.99, Piece and Quiet
Ridley’s Inspirational Women 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Challenge yourself to this 1000-piece jigsaw and get to know a host of inspiring women along the way. Featuring 54 hand-drawn illustrations of leading females throughout history such as Coco Chanel, Rosa Parks and Ella Fitzgerald, get piecing together this colourful circular puzzle with the help of the poster guide included.
Buy now £20.00, Oliver Bonas
mudpuppy Cool Cats A-Z 1000 Piece Puzzle
Join together this eclectic mix of cool cats – there’s one to represent each letter of the alphabet – and end up with a 1000-piece fun jigsaw to frame. From Ginger Tabby to Farm Cat, this is cat lover’s dream.
Buy now £13.43, Amazon
Gibsons TFL London Underground Tube Map 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Think you know the capital’s vast number of tube stations and its District, Victoria, Northern and Central lines? Put yourself and your friends to the test with this 1000-piece London Underground tube map jigsaw. Frame and hang up once completed and use it as your very own journey planner.
Buy now £15.99, John Lewis
Smith Street Books Where’s Bowie? 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Look out for David Bowie in this ‘Where’s Wally?’ style 500-piece jigsaw. Hidden as his alter-ego Ziggy Stardust in an outer-space setting, pull together all the pieces and enjoy as an interactive activity. Will the biggest Starman fan in your life rise up to the challenge?
Buy now £12.74, Amazon
Laurence King Publishing World of Jane Austen 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Step into the world of Jane Austen as you put together this 1000-piece immersive jigsaw of nineteenth-century England. Spot familiar faces and places from her six famous novels – from characters likes Mr Darcy and Mr Knightly, to the beautiful grounds of Pemberley Estate and the rolling hills of Derbyshire. Includes a fold-out poster for some extra help.
Buy now £14.99, John Lewis
Talking Tables 500 Piece Gin Jigsaw Puzzle & Poster
Your G&T with a twist, this 500-piece eye-catching jigsaw has been created in homage to the juniper drink. Featuring gin bottles and grapefruit fizz cocktails finished with a fruity garnish, this will make a great gift to all the gin-aholics out there. Plus it comes with a matching poster so you can frame it for a funky room decoration.
Buy now £18.98, Amazon
Liberty Tudor Building 750 Piece Shaped Jigsaw Puzzle
Shopaholic or budding architect? Make up the luxury department store’s iconic Tudor flagship facade with this puzzle. Complete with stained-glass windows and period chimney stacks, this 750-piece jigsaw comes together to show Liberty’s stunning building. Once complete, turn it over for a surprise – you’ll find a signature Liberty floral pattern printed on the reverse.
Buy now £30.00, Liberty
Ridley’s Cheese and Wine 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Fit together these 500 hand-illustrated puzzle pieces to reveal some of your favourite wine and cheese varieties. Featuring 20 delicious pairings, this will be sure to take your cheese and wine night to the next level. Brie-liant.
Buy now £13.20, Amazon
Laurence King Publishing The World of Agatha Christie 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Murder mystery fiends get ready to reveal 90 clues across this 1000-piece jigsaw that spotlights crime detective novelist Agatha Christie and her best-selling stories. Spot well-known characters including Poirot and Miss Marple, alongside weapons, locations and titles, from the Orient Express to the Nile. And there’s more discovering to do, thanks to the fold-out poster included with more interesting facts about the author and her inspiring novels.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
Mudpuppy Andy Warhol Flowers 500 Piece Puzzle
Brighten up your home with Andy Warhol’s ‘Flowers’ series, printed onto this 500-piece jigsaw. Match up the pieces for a therapeutic activity and finish with a vibrant result, created by the iconic pop art artist.
Buy now £11.96, Amazon
