Puzzles are a must-have in any toddler’s toy collection
We are huge, huge fans of puzzles for toddlers. While there’s nothing wrong with some screen time, coloring, or playing pretend (in fact, we adore those things), puzzles are a classic that combines playtime with learning. They help little ones with motor skills and recognition, and they often hold their attention for a solid amount of time. There are wins aplenty here, folks!
Of course, we can’t throw them a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle (not that you would. We just have to cover our bases here.). Puzzles for toddlers are specifically designed for little hands and developing minds. Animal friends, shapes, colors, and recognizable characters are ideal (and luckily, we have all those and more below). And don’t sweat it if your babe isn’t immediately interested in actually matching the pieces to their spots right off the bat. Just holding, examining, and playing with puzzle pieces are super enriching for little ones! Our picks for the best puzzles for 1-3+ years are below.
Montessori Dinosaur Toddler Puzzles Set of 5
Montessori Mama's wooden puzzles feature 5 of your little one's favorite dinos in vibrant colors designed to encourage your little one to play and keep them engaged!
Best For: 2+ years
Montessori Dinosaur Toddler Puzzles Set of 5 ($24.99)—Buy Here!
Colorful Wooden Shape Puzzle
Color and shape recognition is one of the first steps in your babe's development, so you definitely can't go wrong with this colorful wooden puzzle from GYBBER&MUMU.
Best For: 18+ months
Colorful Wooden Shape Puzzle ($7.99)—Buy Here!
The Bumble Nums Build It Together Puzzle Set
This unique floor puzzle that features 3 simple first puzzles—just 3 pieces each!—of the Bumble Nums Characters Grumble, Bumble, and Stumble. Adorable, right? The mini character puzzles then fit together as parts of the larger 34-piece floor puzzle, so it grows with your kiddo.
Best For: 3+ years
The Bumble Nums Build It Together Puzzle Set ($18.29)—Buy Here!
Chuckle & Roar Shapes & Animals Learning Kids Puzzles 2pk
Your toddler can use this Chuckle & Roar puzzle set to learn shapes and colors at the same time in the Shapes & Colors puzzle. Then, they'll learn about the sounds each cute little animal makes in the wooden Animal puzzle!
Best For: 3+ years
Chuckle & Roar Shapes & Animals Learning Kids Puzzles 2pk ($10.99)—Buy Here!
Puzzle Builders
They'll be building critical thinking skills and fine motor skills with Puzzle Builders from Lakeshore Learning. Each chunky piece has a sweet 3D ladybug, spider, or bug and all the pieces fit together no matter how they're connected for no-fail play.
Best For: 12+ months
Puzzle Builders ($59.99)—Buy Here!
Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Cube Puzzle
Melissa & Doug puzzles are super popular, and with this clever cube puzzle, you can see why. It's actually 6 puzzles in 1, with each side of the cube pieces creating a different darling farm animal.
Best For: 3+ years
Melissa & Doug Farm Wooden Cube Puzzle ($9.99)—Buy Here!
Wee Gallery Beginner Pet Puzzle
This jumbo puzzle is ideal for floor play, and who could resist these adorably illustrated pets??
Best For: 2+ years
Wee Gallery Beginner Pet Puzzle ($19.99)—Buy Here!
Mudpuppy Mindfulness 4-in-A-Box Puzzle Set
This puzzle set includes 4 different puzzles with different levels of difficulty with beautiful illustrations and important messages. It even includes a mindfulness booklet!
Best For: 2+ years
Mudpuppy Mindfulness 4-in-A-Box Puzzle Set ($13.44)—Buy Here!
Montessori Rabbit and Bear Silicone Puzzles Set of 2
These silicone puzzles almost work as art on top of being so much fun to play with. This set includes both the rabbit and bear puzzles, each made of soft silicone!
Best For: Little ones able to grip
Montessori Rabbit and Bear Silicone Puzzles Set of 2 ($26.99)—Buy Here!
Multi-Layered Whale Puzzle
We really love the uniqueness of this stacking puzzle. It's also really durable, so it'll be played with for a long time.
Best For: 2+ years
Multi-Layered Whale Puzzle ($14.99)—Buy Here!
At the Market Play A-Long Puzzle
Help them build this huge 3' long 45-piece puzzle! It features five mini puzzles that increase in piece count from 1 to 5 and fit into the main jigsaw.
Best For: 2+ years
At the Market Play A-Long Puzzle ($12.99)—Buy Here!
Children of the World Puzzle
It's never too early to start learning about diversity, and this interchangeable puzzle not only introduces them to different races and ethnicities, it also shows them the different characteristics we share that connect us.
Best For: 12+ months
Children of the World Puzzle ($15.99)—Buy Here!
Furry Friends Jigsaw Puzzle
The colors of these puzzles are so much fun and we really like the included numbered pieces!
Best For: 3+ years
Furry Friends Jigsaw Puzzle ($14.99)—Buy Here!
Cocomelon Puzzles 4pk
It's always good to see a friend, and your toddler gets to hang with JJ and his buddies while they play and master these puzzles. Each one sports a different Cocomelon scene, too!
Best For: 3+ years
Cocomelon Puzzles 4pk ($12.88)—Buy Here!
Woodland Chunky Puzzle
Each wooden puzzle piece is smooth and chunky to make it easier for little hands to lift, grasp, examine and replace.
Best For: 12+ months
Woodland Chunky Puzzle ($24.40)—Buy Here!
Rainbow Caterpillar Gear Puzzle
The interlocking gears sit right on the pegs and work together for a fun twist on puzzles!
Best For: 18+ months
Rainbow Caterpillar Gear Puzzle ($10.94)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
All images courtesy of retailers.
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