Do you know someone who always seems to be working on sudoku or crossword puzzles? These screen-free stumpers are a great way to take an intentional break from our devices while still engaging our brains.
From traditional puzzles that will keep them busy well into the night to brain teasers they can boast about once completed, we found something for every level of enthusiast.
Doubles as décor$undefined$7.99
One that'll have them stumped$undefined$18.99
Traditional puzzles to shop
Mudpuppy Santa's Bakery 48-Piece House-Shaped Puzzle Ornament
Once put together, this puzzle will reveal a wintry scene filled with elves in a gingerbread-like house. Plus, the adorable box doubles as an ornament!
MasterPieces Rainbow Gradient 1,000-Piece Puzzle
For an option that's aesthetically pleasing while still putting your puzzle-solving skills (and patience) to the test, opt for this one rainbow gradient design. At the very least, it'll keep you entertained for hours.
Ravensburger "Harry Potter" Collector's Edition 1,000-Piece Puzzle
Ravensburger is a popular brand in the puzzle space — priding themselves on high-quality puzzles with unbeatable designs for every interest. This one is for all the Potterheads, portraying a scene from "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" during the triwizard tournament.
Puzzledly Saucy 1,000-Piece Puzzle
Your foodie friend will be a fan of this 1,000-piece puzzle that features sauces and condiments galore from sriracha and mayo (yes, separately) to barbecue, soy sauce and more.
New York Puzzle Company Central Park Row 500-Piece Puzzle
If they're dreaming of warmer days spent in Central Park, gift them this puzzle to tie them over until their next trip.
Different Puzzles Flattering Fishes 500-Piece Puzzle
Don't let the front of the box fool you — what you see isn't always what you get. This brand hopes to stump everyone, including frequent puzzle solvers, by revealing a final image completely different from what appears on the box.
The clue related to this puzzle is: "Perspective is all about how hungry you are..." So the end result might not even have to do with fish at all! Frustrating? Sure. Fun? Absolutely.
Shutterfly Photo Hero Gallery Portrait Puzzle
Turn family holiday cards, vacation photos, school portraits and more into a puzzle they can break out when they're missing home or long distance family members.
Shutterfly offers options ranging from 60 to 1,014 pieces.
Rifle Paper Co. Nutcracker Sweets Holiday Jigsaw Puzzle
Rifle Paper Co. turned a few of this year's holiday patterns into puzzles! It's in the shape of a stocking and will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your Christmas décor.
Le Puzz Match Made in Heaven 1,000-Piece Puzzle
"I just got this 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle from Le Puzz and it’s among the coolest ones I’ve ever seen. It comes with a poster (way easier to hang up than a completed puzzle) and there’s even a word search on the back of the box!" says production associate Audrey Ekman. "I love the modern, fun packaging design because the box will actually look nice sitting out under the coffee table or on a shelf. Not to brag about my incredibly exciting weekend plans, but I can’t wait to put this together!"
Jiggy Lazy Girl Book Club Puzzle
Perfect for the book lover in your life, this 800-piece puzzle features classic book titles altered to reflect a "lazy girl" lifestyle. "Sherlock's Home," "Girl, Uninterrupted" and "The Perks of Being a Homebody" are just a few you can look forward to.
It also comes with glue to stick pieces together so you can safely frame it once complete.
Piecework Rise and Shine 1,000-Piece Puzzle
"This 1,000-piecer has been on my personal wish list for a while since I’m big on bagels and weekend breakfast," says senior SEO editor Jess Bender. "Luckily for me, I saw this exact puzzle on clearance for $5 during a Barnes & Noble store closing blowout sale, so naturally I had to treat myself to it when I had this rare chance."
Uncommon Goods Geode Puzzle
Available in three different colors, this uniquely shaped puzzle easily doubles as décor once finished. Many reviewers said they bought these as gifts for their "puzzler" friends, who then reported they bought another one in a different color because they enjoyed it so much.
Hammacher Schlemmer The New York Times Jigsaw Puzzle of your Birthdate
For a thoughtful, personalized gift, customize this puzzle that shows off the front page of the New York Times the day they were born. They'll look forward to piecing together an assortment of sports, news, weather and top stories from their special day.
Puzzle accessories to shop
Uncommon Goods Puzzle Roll Away Mat
Tuck puzzles away without skipping a beat (or losing a piece) thanks to this roll away mat that keeps your hard work preserved until you're ready to get back at it.
Piecework Puzzle Trays
If you prefer to separate portions of your puzzle while working, this set of six nesting trays will help them keep everything separate but organized. The brand says its suitable for puzzles up to 1,000 pieces.
Bits and Pieces Wooden Puzzle Plateau
"I gave this to my best friend (and big fan of puzzles) for her birthday a few years ago and she loved it," says commerce writer Danielle Murphy. "We used it every day and it was really helpful to separate pieces and store away when we needed a break."
There are four sliding drawers you can use to conceal pieces that aren't in use or to organize separate sections.
Ravensburger Puzzle Board
Leaning over a table to put together puzzles promotes bad posture and an achy back. This easel aims to dissolve those problems by providing puzzlers with a surface that can be adjusted to sit at a more comfortable angle.
Brain puzzles to shop
Tenzi Dice Party Game
My sister and I were obsessed with this game when we were younger, playing well into our teenage years and even again a couple of months ago.
Multiple ways to play have kept us engaged and the fast-paced nature of it all heightens competition.
Tricky Triangle Peg Game
Often seen at Cracker Barrel, this triangle peg game has a simple set-up yet proves to be a real stumper. The goal of the game is to remove each of the pegs from the board by "jumping," similar to how you play checkers.
Educational Insights Kanoodle Ultimate Champion
Perfect for plane travel and road trips, Kanoodle presents players with 500 instruction cards to set up the puzzle of their choice. Then it's a race against time to figure out the right way to fill in the grid.
Uncommon Goods By The Book Brainteaser Game
Similar to Kanoodle, follow the display depicted on one of the included cards and figure out how to build organize the rest of the bookcase. The cards get harder as you go along, with the cat and flower pot figurines ultimately determining if you've built a level bookshelf or not.
Rubik's Cube 5-by-5 Cube
150 squares make up this Rubik's Cube that the brand says is one of their hardest yet. It's perfect for those who are looking for more of a challenge after completing the traditional 3-by-3 cube with ease.
MoMA Design Store Gradient Wooden Solitaire Game
Similar to the triangle peg game, the goal of this color-oriented one is the same — to only have one bead remaining.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides for everyone on your list including board game lovers, movie lovers, music lovers and more.
