Educational Puzzles

Always looking for gifts for children that are really fun but also educational for them in some way? I know that I am. I want to spend my money wisely to give them something they will enjoy. At the same time though, I want to help them grow intellectually and physically, also, with whatever item I pick. So, in my search for educational toys for the children in my life, I found many incredible jigsaw puzzles! I thought I'd share what I find with other parents and friends who may be looking, also.

I think I've found gifts that span over a large age range and interest base. You will find puzzles for the youngest learners all the way to adult in many themes such as alphabet, reading, numbers, telling time, shapes and colors, geographic locations, maps, oceanography, astronomy, zoology, art, and a few others that look fun!

As a teacher, I always like to include something on each lens that is educational in itself, so you will also find information about the educational benefits of playing with puzzles, the history of puzzles, how they are made, online puzzles to play with and create, and more. So, let's put the pieces together, and take a look at these ingeniously clever puzzles!

Photo Credit Thanks Due to LuMaxArt "Gold Guys": Also located at Wikipedia.

• fine motor skills
• shape recognition
• shape discrimination
• problem solving skills
• develops patience
• cooperation with others
• helps individual play
• promotes concentration
• picture recognition
• task completion
• counting ability
• map reading
• family time activity
• It's fun!!

Play with them anywhere on your computer!

~ Jig Zone allows you to create your own puzzles then provides code for you to link to them (see link) or to add it to your website! ~ Joyful Songs Jigsaw Puzzle ~ They may be made in all sorts of cool shapes that you will enjoy. You may also send a jigsaw postcard to a friend with your photo! (Click the picture to find an online jigsaw puzzle of my music studio!)

~ Try some cool online puzzles at Jigsaw Planet! There are many to choose from which are already created, or you may make your own by downloading your own photos, then picking the shape and amount of pieces you want!! We made a puzzle of our dog!

~ Jigidi also allows you to play with online puzzles and create your own for free!

~ Create Jigsaws in Photoshop ~ find directions at eHow.

~ How to Make a Jigsaw Puzzle!

~ Jigsaw Puzzle Information: Many interesting articles about jigsaw puzzles! ~ History of Jigsaws, Making Jigsaws, Types of Jigsaw, Cutting Styles of Jigsaw Manufacturers, Choosing a Jigsaw, 20 Fascinating Facts about Jigsaws, 20 Frequently Asked Questions about Jigsaws, and Jigsaw Puzzle Contacts and Links.