In our world of electronic gadgets, the classic jigsaw puzzle is getting short shrift. It's not sexy or fun, some think, so it can't be fun. But jigsaw puzzles are a great source of inexpensive entertainment. As you pass the jigsaw puzzles in the toy department on your way to the best Lego's, Leap Pads, iPads, and console games, here are some reasons why you should stop and take a long look at the puzzles.
Inexpensive
Jigsaw puzzles are cheaper than many other toys and entertainment options. You can get a 1,000 puzzle for less than $5 at some stores. You can find boxes with many included puzzles for under $10. And the price only goes down if you buy on clearance or at a thrift store or yard sale.
All Ages and Ability Levels
You can find jigsaw puzzles with large pieces that work well for young children or those with dexterity issues. There are puzzles that contain many thousands of pieces if you need a challenge (I've seen one with 32,000 pieces) or single color puzzles if you want to go crazy. And there is a lot in the middle of the road. Whatever your skill, age, or amount of free time, you can find a puzzle that works for you.
Final Puzzles
A puzzle can provide several hours of entertainment. Given the cheap cost, you get a lot of fun time for your dollar.
Good for Your Mind
Puzzles are a great activity to keep your brain sharp. They challenge your intelligence, spatial thinking, and logic. Even better, they work both sides of your brain at the same time, something few other activities do. The creative side works to realize the finished product, while the logical side works to fit the pieces.
Community Engagement
Although the puzzle taxes your brain, it's not so demanding that you can't talk to your friends or family while you work on it. Some of the best conversations in this house have happened over a puzzle.
No Electricity Required
You don't need electricity to work on the puzzle (at least during the day), unlike video games or movies. This means they don't add to your energy bill and you can use them during snow storms or hurricanes when the power is out. It gives you something to do when other options are not available.
Improve Your Focus
Nothing teaches you focus and concentration on a task like finding the right piece to fit into a puzzle. You also learn patience because it can take a long time before the puzzle starts to come together and you have to keep plugging it until it does.
Help Your Subconscious
They give your understanding a chance to work on other things. Working a puzzle allows your mind to relax and think about other things. Whenever something big worries me or when I need to find a solution to a problem, I pull out a puzzle. I came up with some of my best ideas and solutions while messing around.
Inexpensive Artwork
If you glue the finished puzzle together and mount it, you have an interesting work of art for your house or apartment. Puzzle glue and a frame or mounting board are inexpensive.
Educational Tool
I learned about art and geography from puzzles. Puzzles of paintings and famous places inspired me to seek more information.
Arthritis Help
Puzzles provide a gentle and fun way for patients to develop creativity and exercise their hands. Moving the pieces, picking them up, and answering them doesn't seem like a big deal to a person of normal intelligence, but for someone with arthritis it can be a mental challenge.
The next time you're looking for some fun on a budget, don't just skip the jigsaw puzzle route. Puzzles are cheap and give you many benefits for very little money. You can't say that about most forms of entertainment. To make this even more budget friendly, you probably have a few neglected puzzles in your closet right now.
Penguin Classics Crossword Puzzles
Finally, if you are reading this and want to find crossword puzzles to play, the best puzzle book available is The Penguin Classics Crossword Puzzles.
(Main image courtesy of Filip Federowicz (filu))
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