So many cognitive skills are in development between the ages of 4 and 6 and this affects a child’s jigsaw puzzle abilities. Every child is different and some can do more or less than our recommendations. You know your child best! With that said, let’s make puzzle shopping less puzzling with this guide! I’ll let you know what’s going on in your child’s brain at each age and what puzzles are best suited for them.
Number of Puzzle Pieces for a 4-Year-Old
Ah, preschoolers, am I right? If you’re looking for a break from answering the big “why” questions, a puzzle is a good choice.
The 4-Year-Old Brain
While the constant asking of “why” may wear you down some days, it’s actually a good sign because it shows your kid’s curiosity and interest in the world. Remember, 4 years on this planet isn’t comparable to your decades of experience. The world is still new to them!
At this age, young preschoolers are becoming more creative and more aware of the bigger world around them. They can now understand the idea of “same” and “different.” Sorting by categories like shapes and colors is easier.
The ability to differentiate between the same and different will come in handy in their puzzle time. Preschoolers can handle more puzzle pieces when they can separate matching pieces. For instance, those green pieces are grass while the blue ones are the sky.
Oh, and 4-year-olds often love taking things apart and putting them back together again. Enter: puzzles!
So How Many Pieces?
By this stage, a child can put together a puzzle with up to 24 pieces. To really draw them in, pick a puzzle that relates to their interests.
You can introduce more educational puzzles with fewer pieces, however. The Melissa & Doug See & Spell Learning Toy is technically a puzzle board, which is more appropriate for younger toddlers. The focus isn’t on the puzzle aspect, as this toy helps introduce spelling and sight words.
With the pieces, just be sure to not overwhelm your child. Too many pieces will frustrate them, hence the recommendations.
Puzzle Recommendations
Melissa & Doug African Plains Jigsaw Puzzle (24 pc)
Ravensburger Koalas and Sloths – 2 x 24 Piece Puzzle
Number of Puzzle Pieces for a 5-Year-Old
At 5 years old, your child has begun his school career. Kindergarten is such a huge milestone on its own and cognitive development doesn’t slow down at this point.
The 5-Year-Old Brain
As your baby transforms into a “big kid,” there will be plenty of changes. Fine motor skills are getting better every day, which is why this is the age teachers are looking for proper pencil holding and the ability to write.
Those fine motor skills give your child a certain gentleness that may not have been there before. If you found your child used to bend and tear cardboard puzzle pieces, now may be the time to try them again.
According to experts, children’s attention spans can be anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes per year. Knowing that 5-year-olds have average attention spans of 10 to 25 minutes. That’s an improvement from just a year prior, with an attention span of 8 to 20 minutes.
Why not take advantage of that increased focus with more puzzle pieces!
So How Many Pieces?
The average 5-year-old can complete puzzles with up to 48 pieces.
Also at this age, children tend to enjoy floor puzzles. Obviously, any puzzle can be completed on the ground, but floor puzzles refer specifically to puzzles that are too large to frame and need to be completed on a large surface.
For children, floor puzzles usually have large pieces. You can still keep the piece count high with these. Floor puzzles even come in fun and unusual shapes like a globe or an animal!
Puzzle Recommendations
iPlay, iLearn Wooden World Map Floor Puzzle
Number of Puzzle Pieces for a 6-Year-Old
By 6, your child is eyeing the kindergarten finish line – or maybe even in first grade! Don’t worry because they aren’t too big for puzzles yet.
The 6-Year-Old Brain
Childhood development experts tell us this year starts a period of rapid cognitive development. They’ll start to lay the foundations for the education that awaits them in elementary school and beyond.
While friendships have always had their place, at age 6, most kids start to show a preference for their friends as they become independent from their parents. Thankfully, puzzles are definitely something friends can work on together!
While your 6-year-old’s attention span is growing, so is their need for variety. Knowing this, have a selection of puzzles to offer! Keep a small collection of different puzzle themes and types to keep things fresh.
So How Many Pieces?
The typical 6-year-old can manage puzzles with up to 120 pieces.
Of course, the number of puzzle pieces isn’t a rule set in stone. Not every puzzle for your 6-year-old has to hit the 120-piece mark. For example, there is educational value in self-correcting puzzles with as little as 3-pieces. Make sure these puzzles focus on themes like spelling or numbers.
At 6 years old, or any age, don’t stress the number of pieces. Turn your attention instead to the content of the puzzle.
At this age, because of their improving spatial understanding, children can also be introduced to more complex puzzles, such as 3D ones. Be sure to start with very basic models, as there are some seriously complicated 3D puzzles for sale.
Eugyis a great company to look into. The brand makes easy-to-build 3D animal puzzles catered to ages 6 and up. I dare you to look at the turtle and unicorn puzzles and not fall in love.
Puzzle Recommendations
Ravensburger Disney Pixar Toy Story Puzzle (100 pc)
![EUGY 038 Turtle Eco-Friendly 3D Paper Puzzle [New Seal]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Atke0-bgL._SL160_.jpg)
FAQs – Puzzle Pieces for 4, 5, or 6-Year-Olds
What are the benefits of puzzles for children?
Puzzles are a gold mine of cognitive benefits. They have been relegated to last-resort activities by adulthood, but we would benefit from them too!
Your child benefits from puzzles both mentally and physically. Picking up and manipulating puzzle pieces to fit helps beef up those fine and gross motor skills. It also helps with hand-eye coordination.
Mentally, even more, is happening. Puzzles help your child improve their concentration and their attention span (which is notoriously short at these ages)!
Don’t forget spatial awareness. In short, this is the knowledge of where your body is and how it relates to the rest of the world. If you want to help buff up this skill, help your child with the puzzle pieces using directional commands. Move the piece to the left or rotate the piece.
What are the different types of puzzles?
There are several different types of puzzles, including puzzle boards, jigsaw puzzles, and floor puzzles.
If you’ve found this article, your child is likely between 4 and 6 years old. By this age, your child is too mature for puzzle boards, knob puzzles, and frame puzzles. These are puzzles that involve placing a single piece into a designated spot. These are geared for babies and toddlers.
Your older child will appreciate jigsaw puzzles, floor puzzles, and 3D puzzles. All of these puzzles come in different varieties, like cardboard, wood, or plastic. The material is a personal preference. The importance lies in age-appropriateness.
What should I look for in a puzzle for a 4, 5, or 6-year-old?
Beyond the number of pieces, when shopping for a puzzle, you need to consider the subject matter. To draw your child in, pick a puzzle that showcases an interest of theirs. For example, my son wouldn’t give a solar system puzzle a second look, but if you hand him a fire truck one, he’ll be obsessed.
Most puzzles have an educational aspect to them, such as number and letter recognition, nature, or geography. Even in these educational categories, you can find themes your child will love. Going back to my son: he loves Sesame Street. Guess what? There are puzzles featuring his favorite characters that teach numbers and seasons.
Conclusion
Remember that all of these suggestions are just that – suggestions. As the parent, you know your child better than anyone. When shopping for a puzzle, use this guide as a jumping-off point. You’ll be able to gauge if your child needs a puzzle with fewer or more pieces.
Remember, while puzzles are a cognitive tool, their main purpose is fun. Try to keep it that way and don’t focus so hard on the milestones and requirements. The best puzzle for your child is one they enjoy doing.
