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Toys and games

From first toys to big kid favourites, share your best finds and recommendations. For the latest must-have toys loved by parents, sign up for Mumsnet Swears By emails.

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Original poster

"You can never have too many jigsaws"

23 replies

TheSurgeonsMate · 15/02/2013 12:35

I read this on MN once, a poster said you can't have too many books or jigsaws. I kind of hope it's true - I like jigsaws myself.

Do you feel that jigsaws are this valuable as toys, that any amount of spending on them can be justified?!

And if you love jigsaws too - what great toddler ones do you know? We've just been given this. I was so impressed with it, the shape makes it very engaging to do, finish one animal and you can see the feet of the next one up. And the pictures are just a bit different.

OP posts:

jojane · 15/02/2013 12:39

You CAN have too many jigsaws when they are all mixed up! We also have a box of 10 Pixar puzzles, nightmare sorting out the different puzzles, I put them all in bags but it didn't last long!

Panzee · 15/02/2013 12:40

I hate jigsaws! There always seems to be a bit missing and they get all bent. :(

Original poster

TheSurgeonsMate · 15/02/2013 17:04

jojane the first time I tried to separate out our three Octonauts puzzles I thought I had to use the pictures to do it. I didn't realise that they have (subtly) different patterns on the backs of the bits. Does this help? (Not much if there are TEN puzzles, I imagine.)

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Original poster

TheSurgeonsMate · 15/02/2013 19:54

I want to change my title to "Can your one year old do fifty piece puzzles?" That's the way to get jigsaw recommendations, not by asking politely.

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Panzee · 15/02/2013 22:20

You asked in the post, I replied.

No, I don't feel that jigsaws are that valuable. Especially as there always seems to be a bit missing and they get bent and torn.

Hulababy · 15/02/2013 22:21

No jigsaw fans here either. DD never was overly interested in them; not something me or DH would ever consider doing either.

So - books - yes. Jigsaws - can live without.

drjohnsonscat · 15/02/2013 22:22

I am violently opposed to those three in one jigsaws that require a parent to sort the bits out first. And jigsaw books.

All other jigsaws may be permitted to live but those mentioned above are a crime against parenthood.

Startail · 15/02/2013 22:25

one jigsaw is too many, by definitional they come in lots of pieces.

It's always Mum who ends up finishing them and tidying up, while DDs sneak off back to the PC.

HSMMaCM · 15/02/2013 22:25

We get out the same jigsaw every Christmas and the challenge is to get it finished before the end of the school holidays.

HSMMaCM · 15/02/2013 22:26

Oh ... and we have thousands of books. we keep them in the local library.

Pascha · 15/02/2013 22:27

I like the little wooden ones, about 16 pieces. DS can do these with minimal input from me and they don't get bent.

beanandspud · 15/02/2013 22:27

I like jigsaws, as does DS, but once it's completed that's it. We don't tend to go back and do a jigsaw again so they are a bit of a 'disposable' toy which is quickly passed onto someone else/sold/regifted.

IThinkOfHappyWhenIThinkOfYou · 15/02/2013 22:29

I am violently opposed to those three in one jigsaws that require a parent to sort the bits out first. And jigsaw books.

Exactly

I will add 'character' puzzles where no consideration as to how anyone, let alone someone young enough to tolerate cinderella/lightening McQueen etc. will be able to find adjoining pieces due to copious amount of background.

LynetteScavo · 15/02/2013 22:30

It depends on the person/child#

DC1 loved jigsaws, so we had quite a few. DC1 & 3 couldn't be bothered with jigsaws at all. So I guess we hard far too many for them.

I don't really see the point in jigsaws. I see them almost in the same light as word searches.

scrappydappydoo · 15/02/2013 22:31

I think it depends on the child. DD1 was a bit meh over jigsaws and we had frequent tears when she couldn't do them. DD2 however was/is obsessed - found Orchard toys ones good to start with and then whatever was cheap in the charity shop.
And yes - do not get jigsaw books they are pita. The best ones are the multi ones that have different patterns on the back so you know which piece belongs to which puzzle without having to do the actual puzzle. I have actually resorted to doing this myself with a pen - just for my sanity.

ladyintheradiator · 15/02/2013 22:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LookatMeeeeeee · 15/02/2013 22:33

Jigsaws are great! I recommend Djeco as a brand, really gorgeous quality and chunky pieces.

poocatcherchampion · 15/02/2013 22:34

I love jigsaws. very enjoyable way to spend an evening pre dd

10 mo dd not fussed. but she will love them!

scrappydappydoo · 15/02/2013 22:37

Oh yes - the M&S town ones are quite good as several fit together to make a bigger picture.

Original poster

TheSurgeonsMate · 15/02/2013 23:40

ithink it's a good point about how well 'made' the jigsaw is. I remember the first time I saw a kid doing a proper kid's puzzle, not just a picture cut into bits, and being so interested to see that every piece had a clue as to what the next piece was. That was Orchard, I think.

There is a jigsaw maker character in a George Perec novel called Life: A User's Manual who points out that for adults a well made puzzle might be cut so that there are not clues to the next piece!

For me as a grown up I think the appeal is in getting to know a picture really well and seeing what goes into it.

Am going to check out djeco and m and s jigsaws next

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Original poster

TheSurgeonsMate · 15/02/2013 23:41

And I think the acclaim on educational value is clearly much less than for books!

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steppemum · 15/02/2013 23:57

We have been given lots of those jigsaw books. They are a nightmare, as you turn the page then all the pieces fall out.

Also 3 in a box puzzles - hopeless

Also all disney etc puzzles, they are too difficult as they are too fiddly, and the pictures are too similar in colour.

For toddler age I liked puzzles with good sized pieces, which were are different shapes. especially like floor puzzles as the pieces are big and don't get lost.
I think toddlers can move onto puzzles with more pieces much more quickly than we usually imagine if they are good puzzles. Large puzzles that have some pieces which are animal /boat/car shaped are nice too

As to 'you can never have enough jigsaws or books' Yes you can. When you have too many of anything they can no longer select as the shelf is too overwhelming. I have culled all our books and jigsaws, and the ones left are better used. Then we use the library for variation of books.

Bakingtins · 25/04/2013 09:23

I know this is an old thread but wanted to recommend Orchard toys for jigsaws and games. They are very sturdy and have good pictures, usually as you describe that each piece has "a bit of the next animal" so they are easy to complete. We (2 yr old) particularly like big wheels, who's in the jungle? , big bus and Giant alphabet

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