The Puzzles Guide
What the Occupational Therapist wants you to know about puzzles!
Puzzles are one of the most underrated toys! Playing with puzzles is one of the BEST ways to target fine motor skills. Your little one practices grasping the pieces and fiddling to get them in the right spot all while using hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills, too. There are so many types of puzzles, it’s hard to know which are developmentally appropriate for each age. We took the guesswork out of the equation and enlisted the Occupational Therapist on the EPS Team to help us create this guide! See which puzzles are appropriate for which ages, how to play in a developmentally appropriate way, AND functional language to practice during play! Happy puzzling!
Montessori Mirror Puzzle: Show baby their reflection in the mirror puzzles, then cover them up and model pulling puzzle piece out with whole hand. Place puzzle piece back in and PAUSE - wait for baby to imitate you!
Functional Language to model: in, out, “I see you”; mama, dada, baby’s name
Melissa & Doug Barnyard Animal Jumbo Knob Puzzle: Perfect first puzzle! Model taking the puzzle piece out by grasping the large knob with whole hand and slamming the piece on the floor to make a ‘bang’ sound. You can label the motion with “off”. Baby will want to imitate you to try and make the same ‘bang’ sound with the puzzle piece.
Functional Language to model: off, in, bang, horse, neigh, cow, moo, sheep, baa
BigJigs Wooden Knob Puzzle (Animals): Hold up each animal puzzle piece by your face, label the animal, and model the animal’s sound. Then lay puzzle piece flat on hand and extend to baby, PAUSE, and wait for them to reach out and grab the puzzle piece. When baby grabs puzzle piece, repeat the animal name and sound!
Functional Language to model: cat, meow, dog, ruff, duck, quack, bunny, hop, in, out
Silicone Shaper Sorter Puzzle: Silicone shapes are perfect for mouthing and chewing as baby is exploring through their mouth. Start by holding silicone shapes out in front of baby one at a time, then move to baby picking up pieces off of the floor.
Functional Language to model: up, down, please, on
Melissa & Doug Safari Jumbo Knob Puzzle: Practice imitation skills by petting the animals on the puzzle before pulling them out. Then, label animals and their sounds as your grasp and remove the puzzle pieces from the puzzle board.
Functional Language to model: giraffe, lion, roar, elephant, pet, in, out, on, off
BigJigs Wooden Knob Puzzle (Transportation): Model taking pieces off of the puzzle board, then pretend to make them fly in the air or move on the ground. Place piece back on puzzle, PAUSE, then wait for baby to grab the piece and imitate you (it’s okay if they don’t imitate the movements exactly)!
Functional Language to model: vroom, beep, choo choo, boat, train, tractor, in, out, on, off
Montessori Single Shape Puzzles: Sit in front of baby and hold one of the small puzzles in your lap. Model pulling puzzle piece off the puzzle and placing it back on - PAUSE. Wait for baby to imitate you!
Functional Language to model: on, off, triangle, circle, square
Wooden Shape & Mirror Puzzles: Show baby their reflection in the small mirror. Let them grasp mirror with both hands and explore. Then, cover mirror back up with puzzle piece and let them try and problem solve how to reveal the mirror again.
Functional Language to model: “I see baby”, baby’s name, in, out
Wooden Knob Shape Puzzles: Fill puzzle with different photos of family members. Say “Where’s mama/dada?,” then PAUSE and wait for baby to remove puzzle piece to reveal the photo.
Functional Language: “Where’s …?”, mama, dada, baby
Wooden Montessori Shape Puzzles: Model tapping wooden puzzle pieces on puzzle board or floor while using pincer grasp - PAUSE and wait for baby to imitate you.
Functional Language to model: tap, bang, out, in, on, off
Melissa & Doug Sound Puzzle (Farm): Model taking puzzle pieces off of puzzle board with pincer grasp. Listen to the animal sounds the puzzle makes, then model the sound - PAUSE - and wait for baby to try.
Functional Language to model: animal names, animal sounds, on, off
Wooden Peg Puzzles: Hold one puzzle piece in each hand using pincer grasp and model clapping them together - PAUSE and wait for baby to imitate you.
Functional Language to model: on, off, tap, clap
Pincer Grasp & Egg Cup Puzzles: Pull long cylinder puzzle out 75% of the way, then say “Ready…Set…Drop!,” and release it back into cube to make a bang. Hand to baby and wait for them to imitate you. Similarly, hold wooden egg in hand and model dropping it into the small cup, then pass to baby.
Functional Language to model: ready, set, drop
Melissa & Doug Sound Puzzle (Instruments): Take one puzzle piece off saying “my turn,” then wait and listen to the musical sound. Pass baby the puzzle saying, “your turn,” PAUSE, and wait for baby to pull their piece off.
Functional Language to model: my turn, your turn, off, music
Wooden Peg Puzzles: Take puzzle piece off and put it on your head. Pretend to sneeze and as you say, “AH CHOO,” lean forward so the puzzle piece falls off of your head. PAUSE and wait for baby to try and pick up the next piece to place on your head.
Functional Language to model: sneeze, AH CHOOO, on, off, more, again
Montessori 5-Shape Peg Puzzle: Practice picking up different shape and spinning the pieces around by twisting your fingers, PAUSE, and wait for baby to try and imitate you. (They will not be able to imitate the spinning, we are just looking for them to pick up the piece and try!)
Functional Language to model: spin, twist, shapes
Melissa & Doug Jumbo Peg Puzzle (Barn): Hold up puzzle pieces one at a time and label the animal and their sound. Hand puzzle piece to baby and wait for them to model animal sound back to you. Use hand-over-hand to help baby put puzzle piece back into puzzle.
Functional Language to model: animal names and sounds, in, out
Jumbo Knob Shape Puzzle: Guide baby’s hand to fit one puzzle piece into puzzle together. Then remove the same puzzle piece together and let go. PAUSE and wait for baby to try and put the puzzle piece in by themselves. It’s okay if they don’t fit it all the way in!
Functional Language to model: in, out, your turn
Montessori Shape Puzzle: Model taking one puzzle piece out (saying “out”), then put it back in the puzzle (saying “in”). Then repeat, taking puzzle piece out (saying “out”), then PAUSE and wait for baby to try and put the puzzle piece back into the puzzle. If your baby has some functional language already established and you want to start modeling colors, this puzzle is a great one to do that with since there are only 3 options!
Functional Language to model: in, out
Melissa & Doug Sound Puzzle (Pets): Take turns removing puzzle pieces and listening for different animal sounds. Model the sounds for baby and wait for them to imitate you! PAUSE and wait to see if they will imitate the puzzle noise, too!
Functional Language to model: animal names and sounds, in, out
Melissa & Doug Touch & Feel Puzzle: Model petting the soft parts of the puzzle pieces, PAUSE, and wait for baby to imitate you. Then help baby slide puzzle piece into appropriate spot.
Functional Language to model: soft, cat, dog, bunny, bird, animal sounds, push
Magnetic Wooden Knob Puzzle: Magnets in puzzle board are great to increase confidence! Take one puzzle piece out, model putting it back into puzzle board, take it out again and set it in front of baby. Pause and wait for them to try and put it in the puzzle themselves.
Functional Language to model: my turn, your turn, in, out
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puzzle: Identify each animal as you pull them off the puzzle board and hand them to baby. Then point to matching animal on the puzzle board and help baby place the puzzle piece back in.
Functional Language to model: animal names and sounds, in, out
Pearhead Wooden Shapes Puzzle: Engage with chunky puzzle pieces by stacking them to make a small tower. Model “one, two, three…crash!,” and encourage baby to knock tower over. Then repeat with baby helping you stack the shape pieces.
Functional Language to model: stack, up, 1…2…3.. crash!
Melissa & Doug Sing-Along Nursery Rhymes Puzzle: Help baby match the pictures to complete the puzzle. Use simple words like “I see tree”, “I see clock”, “I see water”, etc. when describing puzzle pieces. Don’t forget to pause and enjoy singing the nursery rhymes together!
Functional words to model: I see… clock, water, tree, farmer, kids, rain, off, on, more
Montessori Multiple Circle Puzzle: Encourage puzzle independence! Model placing puzzle piece into puzzle, then sit back and watch baby try. Help them slide the puzzle piece all the way into the puzzle slot if they are having trouble.
Functional Language to model: in, out, again, slide, circle
Peekaboo Photo Puzzle: Fill puzzle picture with common food items that baby will recognize. Say “bye bye apple” as you help baby cover the apple picture with the puzzle piece and “hi apple” when baby removes puzzle piece to reveal picture again.
Functional Language to model: hi, bye, food items, off, on
Melissa & Doug Chunky Puzzle (Shapes): Lay puzzle piece close to its spot on the puzzle board and help baby problem solve fitting puzzle pieces into slot. Help baby slide pieces into their appropriate spot if needed.
Functional Language to model: slide, more, shape, help
Melissa & Doug First Shapes Jumbo Knob Puzzle: Practice matching and sliding puzzle pieces into puzzle. Show baby puzzle piece and say “I see sun”, then point to sun spot on the board. Repeat, “I see sun.” Sit back and watch baby match and try to align puzzle piece.
Functional Language model: sun, tree, door, roof, window, “I see…”
Montessori Circle Puzzle Board: Take one circle out of the puzzle and hand it to baby. Help them use their hand to slide the circle around the puzzle board until they fit it into its appropriate spot.
Functional Language to model: circle, slide, more, help, big, small
Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Clock: Encourage matching with this shape puzzle. In between puzzle placements, give baby simple commands to do with the puzzle pieces, including “give a piece to mom”, “put a puzzle piece in bin”, “put a puzzle piece on your head”, etc.
Functional Language to model: in, out, “put puzzle piece…”
Dinosaur & Egg Puzzle: Hide and discover baby dinosaurs by putting the puzzle together and back apart. Help baby twist oval eggs to fit them into their spot when hiding the dinosaurs.
Functional Language to model: dinosaur, “Where is the dinosaur?”, “Dinosaur, where are you?”, on, off
Melissa & Doug Farm Sound Puzzle: Hand puzzle pieces to baby one at a time. Say, “Where does pig go?” as you hand baby the pig. PAUSE and see if baby puts the puzzle piece in the right spot.
Functional Language to model: animals, animal sounds, “Where does the ___ go?”
Melissa & Doug Old MacDonald Puzzle: Work on animal sounds with this interactive puzzle. Say, “The cow says…” then pause and see if baby fills in the phrase with “mooo.” Then find the cow puzzle piece to hear the cow moo. Repeat with other animals.
Functional Language to model: animals and sounds, farm
Melissa & Doug Wooden Pattern Blocks: Help your little one fit shapes into puzzle by pointing to where the pieces go. After pointing, PAUSE! Wait to see if your little one slides the piece into the spot to complete the picture.
Functional Language to model: in, out, fish, truck, shape names
Melissa & Doug Chunky Puzzle (Dinos): Work on introducing pretend play and make the dinosaur puzzle pieces walk, jump, and fly before putting them into the puzzle board! Model actions or give simple directions and see if your little one completes the action.
Functional Language to model: dinosaur, stomp, jump, fly
Melissa & Doug Jumbo Knob Puzzle (Vehicles): Practice your motor sounds with this fun vehicles puzzle. Make and model different sounds for each of the vehicles. Give simple directions like “Can you find the bus?” and see if they can find the bus and give it to you.
Functional Language to model: vehicle names, motor sounds, “Can you find the…”
Heads & Tails 2-piece Puzzles: Perfect introduction to jigsaw puzzles for your 2.5 year old! Work on using two hands to slide puzzle pieces together to complete the animal.
Functional Language to model: match, animal names, together, apart
Melissa & Doug Sound Puzzle (House): Talk about what you see throughout the house. Say, “I wonder where the car is?” Use phrases like “no car” or “I see the car” as they are removing puzzle pieces to find the car.
Functional Language to model: household items, “I see…”
Montessori Shape Puzzle: Change the difficulty of puzzle as your little one grows. Start with rimmed pieces remaining in the puzzle and have baby fit the chunky shapes in, then move to removing all pieces as they get older and watch them explore how all the pieces fit together.
Functional Language to model: shape, colors, in, out, “I see…”
Melissa & Doug Peg Puzzles: Practice identifying shapes, numbers, and letters while completing these peg puzzles. Hold up puzzle piece to identify. Start with numbers and shapes then move to the alphabet.
Functional Language to model: shapes, numbers, colors, alphabet
Melissa & Doug 4-piece Puzzles: Lay out puzzle pieces and help your little one “find all the red pieces” in order to assemble the firetruck. After they find all the pieces, help them problem solve how to fit them together by talking about what’s on each piece and how they might fit together.
Functional Language to model: “Let’s make ___”, “Find the __ pieces”
Alphabet Puzzle: Practice singing the ABC’s as you engage with this puzzle. To start, hand pieces in alphabetical order and help your little one find the spot for the piece by pointing to the letter on the puzzle board.
Functional Language to model: ABC’s, colors
Wooden Puzzles: Use the picture on the box as a model for each small puzzle. Lay all bee puzzle pieces out, then have your little one look at the box to help them figure out where the pieces fit in on the puzzle. Repeat with each small puzzle and help them as needed!
Functional Language to model: animals, animal sounds, label parts of the animal (wings, antennae, etc.)
Wooden Cutting Puzzle: Practice cutting with this interactive puzzle. Great for matching as your little one matches the food pieces together. Let them explore knife cutting skills safely as they problem solve how to cut food pieces in half again.
Functional Language to model: cut, knife, food, together
Montessori Shape Peg Puzzle: Hand your little one shape pieces one at a time and help them complete the puzzle. Talk about the color and name of each shape as you hand them the piece. Have them request “more please” before handing them the next puzzle piece.
Functional Language to model: “More, please”, shapes, colors
Melissa & Doug Magnetic Fishing Puzzle: Complete the puzzle, then practice taking turns as you fish out the different puzzle pieces. Model using motor control by hovering the fishing pole over a fish to get it off of the puzzle board.
Functional Language to model: fish, my turn, your turn, “Catch the ___ fish”
Dinosaur Puzzle Pack: Help your little one work on number sequencing as they build these 3D dinosaurs. After puzzles are built, pretend to be a dinosaur - roar and stomp around together!
Functional Language to model: dinosaur, numbers, colors, roar, stomp
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