Buying Advice

By Dave Fisher, About.com Guide to Puzzles

If you're looking for a gift to please a puzzling person, look no further.

Children's Jigsaw Puzzles
Holiday and Seasonal Puzzles
Crossword Puzzles
Kids' Puzzles and Word Games
Jigsaw Puzzles
Logic and Math Puzzles

Map and Geography Puzzles
Mechanical Puzzles
Puzzles for Preschoolers
Sudoku Puzzles
Visual Puzzles

Children's Jigsaw Puzzles

Here, you'll find intermediate puzzles designed for puzzlers of elementary school age. These puzzles have 100 to 300 pieces and are meant for youngsters between the ages of 5 and 10.

Holiday and Seasonal Puzzles

Looking for a gift for a puzzle fan? Here are a few suggestions for crosswords, jigsaw puzzles and other word games with a seasonal theme.

Crossword Puzzles

If you're shopping for puzzle books, then you've come to the right place. Here, you'll find easy crosswords for those new to puzzle solving, challenging crossword puzzles for more experienced solvers, cryptic crosswords, themed crosswords, kids' crossword puzzles and more!

Kids' Puzzles and Word Games

Word games, such as crossword and word search puzzles, provide an excellent method for children to acquire new vocabulary and to practice their spelling. Many of these puzzle books have themes that are sure to appeal to young solvers, such as animals, cars, dinosaurs and princesses

Jigsaw Puzzles

If you're shopping for jigsaw puzzles, then you've come to the right place. Here, you'll find 3D puzzles, a wide variety of themed jigsaw puzzles for older puzzlers and, for hard-core jigsaw fanatics, extra-challenging puzzles with as many as 18,000 pieces!

Logic and Math Puzzles

For the logically and mathematically inclined, here's a selection of books featuring math puzzles and games using various math concepts : polygons, numbers, topology, division, mazes, logic, magic squares, chess, cards, origami and much more! Or give your gray matter a workout with these brain-busting logic and lateral thinking problems.

Map and Geography Puzzles

These educational jigsaw puzzles are an excellent way for children to develop hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills, while teaching them the basic notions of geography. Older puzzlers will enjoy the challenge of piecing together more complex puzzles featuring antique maps or three dimensional models of our world.

Mechanical Puzzles

Challenging fun for those who like a "hands-on" experience of manipulative or mechanical puzzles, including Burrs, interlocking block, wooden assembly, and wire disentanglement puzzles, three-dimensional puzzles, puzzle boxes, shape puzzles, abstract form puzzles and sculptured/fine art puzzles.

Puzzles for Preschoolers

Learning can be fun! And puzzles are a great way to teach preschoolers numbers and letters and develop motor skills. It's also an early introduction to problem solving and critical thinking. Here are some game suggestions for the youngsters in your life.

Sudoku Puzzles

Sudoku is a popular number puzzle that is solved with logic and reasoning. A standard Sudoku puzzle is a 9x9 grid divided into nine 3x3 blocks. To start with, some numbers are given and the object is to fill in the rest of the grid using only numbers 1 to 9 so that no number repeats in any block, row or column. Here's a nice selection of Sudoku books and games for those that can't get enough of this additive, number-placing game.

Visual Puzzles

Some of these illustrations defy the rules of space and trick the eye into seeing two different visions. Others will change if you look at them long and hard enough. Some of these books claim that their use can help improve your eyesight and alleviate the symptoms of eyestrain. Some test your observation skills with hidden pictures scattered throughout the image. Definitely worth "looking" into!

Guide since 1997

Dave Fisher
Puzzles Guide

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