Image: MomJunction Design Team
No matter how many toys and trinkets you get for your child, they will always want more. If you want to keep their hands and minds busy and provide endless fun, try some of the best puzzles for 5-year-olds from trusted brands. Puzzles are learning tools that have the power to fascinate people of every age, and they can be especially engaging for young minds that are still comprehending shapes, colors, numbers, and letters. In this digital world, puzzles are also a great way to reduce your child’s screen time and encourage them to think differently, putting their minds to a fulfilling and creative task.
Apart from entertaining, these best-selling puzzles will improve your child’s hand-eye coordination, enhance problem-solving abilities, improve their abstract mind, and serve as a brain-building exercise. Check out our top toys for five-year-olds below and select a suitable puzzle for your kid to add to their existing puzzle collection. The best part is you can also join in on the fun and relieve some stress by solving it with them.
Top Picks
17 Best Puzzles For 5-Year-Olds
1. Best For Creativity:Ravensburger Puzzle – Construction Crowd
This 60-piece jigsaw puzzle for five-year-olds is crafted with premium-quality material and has a construction vehicles theme. The pieces of this 10.75×7.5×1.5-inch puzzle fit together precisely, and no two pieces are alike. Jigsaw puzzles help in your child’s development and improve their creativity, fine motor skills, patience, logical reasoning skills, and concentration. Made with fine linen structured paper, and extra-thick cardboard, it has no puzzle dust and creates a glare-free image.
Pros
- Vibrant colors and eye-catching details
- Suitable for independent or group play
- Durable build
- Perfectly sized for little hands
- Suitable for gifting
Cons
- Does not include frame
- Puzzle pieces might not stay flat over time
"I would suggest this puzzle for its solid design. Its sturdy pieces snap together well. Also, it helps kids develop focus and problem-solving skills—a good buy overall."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The whopping 2,780 positive reviews on Amazon reflect the superior quality of this product.
2. Best Interactive:Vileafy Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle – Animals
This animal pattern puzzle set for five-year-olds is composed of 12 simple jigsaw puzzles of 20 pieces each. This puzzle for five-year-olds comes in a pack of 12 simple jigsaw puzzles of 20 pieces each. The puzzles have an under-sea party theme and feature a mermaid, lobster, whale, shell, dolphin, shark, starfish, goldfish, jellyfish, tortoise, octopus, and crab. These mini puzzles serve as great party favors and their lightweight design makes them convenient to carry while traveling. Every jigsaw puzzle comes with an individual frame, and there’s an identical picture inside the tray. Each puzzle measures 5.75 x 5.75in and being made of wood, they are naturally BPA-free. They come packaged in an organza storage bag, which can be used as convenient party bags while distributing giveaways. These puzzles help children spend quality time together and introduce them to animals and colors.
Pros
- Thick and durable
- Round edges
- Improves hand-eye coordination
- Fun and easy to assemble
Cons
- Might be a little difficult to dismantle
- Might be smaller than expected
3. Best For Cognitive Development:MasterPieces Jigsaw Puzzle Cat Day At The Quarry
Enhance your little one’s critical thinking skills and imagination with the Cat Day At The Quarry puzzle by the trusted brand MasterPieces. It includes 60 pieces and measures 19 x 14in when fully assembled. The quarry-themed puzzle features detailed and vibrant images of construction workers, a dog, a bulldozer, and other construction-related machines.
These puzzle pieces are environmentally friendly and designed with eco-friendly soybean ink. The puzzle helps promote a child’s cognitive development and is suitable for children aged five years and above.
Pros
- Includes a storage box
- Thick and durable board
- Easy-to-hold pieces
- Smooth edges
Cons
- Puzzle may not lay flat entirely
- Some might find it tricky
"As a puzzle enthusiast, I appreciate a set that challenges and engages the mind. This one may be slightly tricky for beginners, but it is perfect for my persistent little ones. I'm impressed with the quality, and it's a good way to bond during family time."
4. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination:Blppldyci Store Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle
The incredibly engaging puzzle for five-year-olds comes in a set of six jigsaw puzzles with 30 pieces each. It includes dinosaur, space world, bus, underwater world, insect world, and animal themed puzzles. The bottom wooden and sturdy plate of each puzzle has a color illustration of the picture that can be used as a reference.
It also features a wooden frame measuring 8.85 x 5.9 x 0.24in to keep the wooden pieces in place, and the pieces themselves lock tightly together. Solving these puzzles is a great opportunity for children to interact with their friends and family and develop eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills, and constructive thinking.
Pros
- Bright and vivid colors
- Smooth edges
- Travel-friendly
- Perfect size for little hands
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Pieces might bend a little over time
- Might be a little difficult to dismantle
"I picked these puzzles for their vibrant designs, and they are a hit with my little ones. I appreciate the picture guides as they help with the placement, and though they're not wooden, they're still durable. It helps keep my kids engaged; go for it!"
5. Best Premium:Top Bright 48 Piece Puzzle
Here’s a strong and durable wooden puzzle for five-year-olds that comprises 48 pieces, along with a sturdy and durable wooden tray so that it can be stored and transported easily. Each piece is made of premium, thick, and solid wood so that it can stand the test of time and be used repeatedly. The pieces are made by using precise-slicing techniques and fine workmanship so that the edges are smooth with no splinters and burrs. An ideal size for their small hands, it enhances hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Here’s a strong and durable wooden puzzle for five-year-olds that comprises 48 pieces, along with a sturdy and durable wooden tray so that it can be stored and transported easily. Each piece is made of premium, thick, and solid wood so that it can stand the test of time and be used repeatedly. The wooden pieces are made by using precise-slicing techniques and fine workmanship so that the edges are smooth with no splinters and burrs. An ideal size for their small hands, it enhances hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Pros
- Easy to grab
- Eco-friendly
- High-quality heat-transfer printing
- Bright colors and illustrations
- Ideal for parent-child interaction
- Ideal for gifting
Cons
- Does not include reference picture
- Might not be easy for little hands to fit the pieces together
6. Best For Logical Thinking:Ransunn 100-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Image: Ransunn This dinosaur jigsaw puzzle with 100 pieces for five-year-olds is fairly easy to assemble and presents a beautiful prehistoric landscape on completion. Measuring 15x10in when completed, it develops imagination, creativity, hand-eye coordination, dexterity, logical thinking, patience, and concentration. Made of premium quality material, it’s non-toxic, and has virtually no puzzle dust. The corners of the puzzle are well-rounded with no sharp edges to ace the test of safety. This puzzle can be assembled either alone or with friends.
Pros
- Sturdy, thick, and durable
- Comes with a reference picture
- Vivid colors
- Ideal for gifting
Cons
- Might need adult supervision initially
- May be smaller than expected
"This puzzle meets my expectations in terms of quality and has sturdy pieces that are great for rough handling. Though it is a bit smaller than I had expected, it is a suitable choice for young children. I am satisfied with my purchase; my daughter enjoys solving it."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 958 customers on Amazon have opined that this is one of the best products in its category.
Trivia7. Best With Non-Toxic Ink:Mudpuppy Unicorns Glow-In-The-Dark Puzzle
Cheer up your unicorn-loving little one by gifting them the Mudpuppy unicorn-themed glow-in-the-dark puzzle. These puzzle pieces are painted using non-toxic inks and comply with ASTM, CE, and CPSIA regulations. The parent-recommended kit includes 100 puzzle pieces and measures 18 x12 in when fully assembled.
These puzzle pieces feature vibrant neon images of magical creatures such as unicorns, butterflies, and flowers. The pieces fit precisely and offer a magical glow when placed in a dark room. In addition, the packaging doubles as a storage box, enabling you to store and carry the pieces effortlessly.
Pros
- Cute and adorable
- Easy to assemble
- Ideal for gifting
- Available in multiple themes
Cons
- Pieces may be smaller than expected
8. Best For Fine Motor Skills:Quokka Floor Puzzle
Image: Quokka Quokka’s floor puzzle for five-year-olds comprises four different puzzles with 60 pieces– forest and polar animals–and measures 26x20in. Each puzzle piece has a unique shape and is made of premium-quality and thick cardboard featuring illustrations of various wild animals and marine life. The storage boxes have a picture of the artwork so that children can follow it.
The vibrant characters and colors of the puzzle game greatly appeal to children and develop their logical thinking, problem solving, and fine motor skills as well as improve eye-hand coordination, color recognition, associative thinking, and persistence. The puzzle frames contain the names and images of wild creatures so that children get familiar with them. The pieces have smooth edges with no sharp corners and the puzzles are ideal for group and individual play.
Pros
- Engaging and educational puzzle
- Made of non-toxic materials
- Improves color and shape recognition
- Ideal for game nights
- Suitable puzzle for preschoolers
Cons
- Reference picture may not be clear
- Might not stay flat over time
"A hit with my kids, this puzzle is a great family bonding activity. The pieces are just right for little hands and offer a good challenge for a 3-year-old with some help. Overall, I would recommend it for its vibrant colors, educational animal names, and apt size."
9. Best For Brain Development:Wood City Wooden Puzzles
This puzzle comes in a pack of five, and each puzzle—cow, panda, elephant, giraffe, and bear-themed—has nine pieces each, all stashed in beautiful packaging. Crafted with natural wood and non-toxic water-based paint, the jigsaw pieces have a smooth surface with no sharp edges. Measuring 5.9×5.9×0.2in, each puzzle bottom has colored illustrations that can be used by children as a reference. The pieces of this puzzle for five-year-olds are just the right size for children to easily pick up and hold.
These wooden animal puzzles familiarize children with colors, numbers, and shapes. Children find the bright colors and adorable animal shapes attractive, and they ignite their curiosity and stimulate the brain, enhance cognitive skills, and develop spatial reasoning, while promoting sensory stimulation, problem-solving skills, and eye-hand coordination.
Pros
- Vivid patterns
- Eco-friendly wood
- Ideal for parent-child interaction
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Might need adult supervision to dismantle
- Pieces might be a little thin
10. Best For Concentration:Runlycan Jigsaw Puzzle
This amazing 100-piece jigsaw puzzle for five-year-olds measures 15x10in and is loved by children as it depicts a whole range of dinosaurs. It boasts a premium quality, both in material and content, and is completely safe for small children. The cardboard pieces have a unique shape, fit snugly into one another, and the corners are smooth and well-rounded.
The puzzle pieces are just the right size for children to pick up, hold, and play with. The set hones multiple skills such as eye-hand coordination, problem solving, creativity, concentration, cognitive ability, and knowledge of the history of our planet.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Reference picture included
- Easy to assemble
- Ideal for gifting
- Can be used as a decorative piece
Cons
- Frame not included
- Pieces might not stay flat over time
11. Best Adventure:Vevoo Solar System Spy Puzzle
The 48-piece puzzle for five-year-olds is made of hard cardboard and is both challenging and fun with a spy theme. This toy is not just a puzzle as after you complete it, you have to find all the objects such as comets, astronauts, UFOs, and aliens that are hidden in the challenging puzzle. It includes a magnifying glass which magnifies things up to three times, and a set of 5x3in flashcards that have fun facts and descriptions of planets and the hidden objects.
This 2×3 feet puzzle is great for honing observation skills, spatial awareness, visual learning, and memory, and has therapeutic effect on children. It can also be played as a memory game with the help of cards and images. Made with recyclable paper, the eco-friendly, colorful puzzles use non-toxic vegetable-based ink and are perfectly safe for children.
Pros
- Jumbo-sized
- Future-friendly material
- Color does not fade quickly
- Easy to learn and play
- Suitable for group play
Cons
- Frame not included
"The space-themed puzzle is a cool mix of fun and learning. It has well-constructed pieces, and my daughter nailed it with just a bit of help. The magnifying glass adds a neat touch, but I wish the colors were a bit brighter. Overall, a delightful set."
Trivia12. Best Glow-In-The-Dark:Hapinest Glow-in-The-Dark Unicorn Jigsaw Puzzle
Hapinest’s unicorn-themed jigsaw has smooth and rounded pieces to facilitate easy assembly. It enhances logical thinking, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and patience. This kit includes 100 puzzle pieces, an LED flashlight, and 12 unicorn matching cards.
Once assembled, the puzzle measures 12 x 18in and can be used as a decor piece. The images of unicorns, castles, and other magical elements glow when the puzzle is placed in the dark.
Pros
- Made of thick cardboard
- Helps boost memory
- Available in two themes
- Suitable for gifting
Cons
- Paint may not be chip-resistant
- Some pieces may bend slightly
13. Best For Easy Learning :The Learning Journey Lift & Learn USA Map Puzzle
Teach your five-year-old about the different states of the US with The Learning Journey’s Lift & Learn puzzle. It includes 40 puzzle pieces with raised textures, making it easy to lift, hold, and place the pieces in order. Each puzzle piece features a state-specific image and the name of the state.
This matching game also includes a wood-grain tray to ensure slide-free assembly. Assembling, dismantling, and matching the different-sized pieces can help enhance your child’s problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and creative thinking ability.
Pros
- Improves tactile skills
- Educational
- Meets toy safety regulations
- Ideal for gifting
Cons
- Some pieces may develop dents over time
- Board may be thinner than expected
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 4,254 reviews on Amazon indicate that this product has a loyal following.
14. Best Screen Time Reducer:Bekilole Wooden Number Puzzle
Image: Bekilole One of the best jigsaw puzzles for 5 year olds, kids will have an awesome time with this pegboard stacking colors, sorting shapes, and learning numbers. This toy is a great learning tool and can keep your children busy for hours and greatly reduce their screen time. Kids develop shapes, colors, and numbers recognition, imagination, creativity, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and counting skills. Crafted with 100% natural wood, it has smooth edges, different fonts, thicker pieces, and is painted with several layers of non-toxic water-based paints. This wooden puzzle includes a five-sided coloring box and six crayons.
Pros
- Includes a five-sided coloring box and six crayons
- Educational puzzle for preschoolers
- Enhances hands-on ability
- Sturdy pieces
- Easy to grab
Cons
- Rings might be a little small
- May pose a choking hazard
"This toy puzzle is a fun learning tool for my little ones, playfully incorporating math and recognition skills. It is safe and well-designed, but the smaller parts still need supervision. I'm pleased that it creates a fun learning environment for my children. A good option overall."
15. Best For Gifting :Aoumi Mermaid Jigsaw Puzzle
This 100-piece mermaid puzzle for five year olds is made of premium, environment-friendly material, is cut precisely and perfectly, features HD printing, and is tasteless and non-toxic. Each piece has a unique shape and interlocks perfectly together. This eye-catching and vibrant puzzle features an underwater image with a mermaid and marine life in the most beautiful and bright colors. Solving this fun game improves children’s concentration and patience and develops hand-eye coordination, creativity, and problem-solving ability. The finished size of this poster is 15x10in.
Pros
- Crafted with thick and durable cardboard
- Helps decreasing screen-time
- 1:1 reference poster included
- Ideal for indoor play
- Dust-free
Cons
- Frame not included
- Might need adult supervision initially
"These puzzles have been a delightful choice for my son with its bright colors and sturdy pieces. I am relieved that it has reduced his screen time and brought him joy and a sense of accomplishment. It is fun and engaging, letting us enjoy quality bonding time together."
16. Best Child-Safe Design:LiKee Alphabet Number Toddler Flash Cards Set
If you want to improve your child’s language skills, math skills, logical thinking, and hand-eye coordination, this flashcard puzzle set makes for a suitable toy. It comes with 73 pieces, of which 36 are double-sided flashcards and 37 are wooden blocks. The cards are imprinted with adorable animal graphics and colorful designs to engage toddlers’ attention and inspire their imagination to run wild. These are completely child-safe and durable as they are made with eco-friendly water-based paint and high-quality wood, ensuring your little one can stay occupied for a long time.
Pros
- Large wooden blocks
- Smooth edges
- Easy to grab
- Easy to wipe clean
- Comes with a storage box
Cons
- Repeated colors of letters might be a little confusing for some
- Flashcards might peel off a little over time
17. Best Bonding Activity:Imagimake Mapology USA With Capitals
Imagimake’s Mapology USA with Capitals puzzle includes 50 state-shaped puzzle pieces, 51 flags, fun facts, and stickers with the names of the capitals. This puzzle helps your child learn about the different states, their capitals, and facts about the USA. In addition, the kit is made of safety-tested materials and includes an EVA foam frame that keeps the puzzle pieces from sliding all over the table or floor.
Each puzzle piece snuggly fits into the hollow spaces of the base, making it easy to assemble the map. Moreover, it makes an excellent bonding activity and can help enhance their motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills.
Pros
- Meets ASTM standards
- Easy to assemble
- Soft pieces
- Vibrant colors
Cons
- May have a peculiar smell when new
- Some pieces might be slightly flimsy
How To Choose The Right Puzzles For 5-Year-Olds?
Here are a few points you should keep in mind to choose the perfect puzzle that can challenge your child and give them hours of fun and enjoyment.
- Age-appropriate: A puzzle that is too advanced for kids can frustrate them, and one that’s too easy can bore them. That’s why it’s so important to choose a basic puzzle that is appropriate for their age and capabilities. Puzzles with slightly larger pieces work best for children of this age. As their fine motor skills develop, they can slowly work their way to more challenging puzzles. It’s a good idea to read the age recommendation on the pack but you also need to keep the personal capabilities of your child in mind.
- Durability: Children at this age still tend to put things into their mouths, so it’s very important that the puzzle is non-toxic and durable so that the pieces remain in working order. Puzzles for kids are usually made of wood and cardboard. Wood puzzles are better for smaller children who still put things into their mouths, and many of them feature a non-toxic well-polished finish for this reason. Cardboard puzzles are rather ideal for older children as the pieces tend to be smaller which can be unsafe for smaller kids.
- Storage: Puzzles that come with their own storage box help you to keep the pieces together when not in use. Losing a piece ruins the puzzle, so this is an important factor to consider.
- Puzzle type: Kids’ puzzles come in two main categories— inset and jigsaw puzzles. Inset puzzles are usually made of wood or foam, the pieces are bigger, and the pieces don’t lock into one another the way jigsaw puzzles do. They also come with a frame or tray on which the pieces can be fitted, and work great as the first puzzles for young children. Jigsaw puzzles have pieces that lock into one another, come in various sizes and difficulty levels, and are generally more complex than the inset puzzles.
- Number and size of pieces: The number of pieces in a puzzle depends completely on the skill level of the child. Younger kids usually need puzzles that have fewer pieces, and as they grow, they can handle more complex puzzles with higher levels of difficulty. Again, younger children need larger pieces as they are easier for their small hands to put together.
- Theme: This depends a lot on the personal likes and dislikes of the child as what may be loved by one child may not necessarily be liked by another. A 5-year-old would probably love a puzzle with puppies, cartoon characters, unicorns, dinosaurs or something on those lines. The right image can be a big motivator for kids to work on the puzzle, and might even encourage them to work on a puzzle beyond their level.
- Material: Cardboard, wood, and foam are the materials usually used to make puzzles. Cardboard is prone to tearing and bending, especially if the quality is low, which can be frustrating for kids when the pieces don’t fit together well. Foam pieces are easier to interlock as compared to cardboard, but may be a potential choking hazard. Wooden puzzles are ideal for younger kids but should be inspected for rough edges and splinters.
- Image type: The image on a kids’ puzzle has a lot to do with its difficulty level and appeal. Images with a lot of foliage can be extremely difficult to complete as most of the pieces seem identical. On the other hand, an image with a few vibrantly colored animals is much simpler to assemble. The contrast in the image and colors is an important factor to consider. The puzzle will be easier if the contrast is more, so puzzles with different, vivid colors and a glossy finish are better for this age group.
- Puzzle shape: Jigsaw puzzles are usually rectangular or square and have interlocking pieces, straight edges, and predictability. A few may come in innovative shapes related to the topic, or have irregular shaped pieces which aren’t as easy to anticipate as the traditional shaped puzzles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many puzzle pieces should a five-year-old do?
A child’s skill levels and cognitive abilities matter more than their age to solve a puzzle. Puzzles intended for five-year-olds are available with up to 60 pieces. Yet your five-year-old may be able to solve a puzzle with more or fewer pieces depending on their interest and ability to solve a puzzle.
2. What puzzle can a five-year-old do?
Puzzles for kids are available in a wide range of themes that are appropriate for a five-year-old. However, choose an engaging puzzle theme that your child is comfortable identifying without much adult interference. Like, if your child is a fan of the Peppa Pig series or a dinosaur enthusiast, you may choose that particular theme that helps them solve the puzzles easily.
3. What does it mean if my kid is good at puzzles?
If your child is good at puzzles, that does mean your child is bright and smart and has good problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities. Being able to solve puzzles at a young age also means they have a good fine motor and visuo-spatial reasoning skills.
4. How do puzzles help a five-year-old’s development?
Solving puzzles helps a five-year-old in multiple ways. It helps them to recognize themes or patterns and boosts their memory. Moreover, fixing the puzzle pieces allows the child to develop better hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, and finishing the puzzles gives them a sense of accomplishment.
5. What kind of puzzles improve a five-year-old’s intelligence?
Puzzles by themselves are a great way to help your child develop in different ways. But puzzles that are based on educational themes, such as alphabets, numbers, solar system, and maps, are ideal for boosting their intelligence.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is our trusted product writer and reviewer for kid’s toys and games. Her profound market research and review skills help her bring you impressive and high-quality products for children. Here, she puts together an exhaustive list of the best puzzles for five-year-olds that help them engage in a creative and fun game time. The various types of puzzles on this list are engaging and help improve your child’s cognitive abilities. Priti also included a how-to-choose section to help you make an informed choice.
As your child grows physically and mentally, they need toys that can foster and nurture their skills, helping them reach their developmental milestones more effectively. So, you can take a look at our list of the best puzzles for five-year-olds to learn more about the features and options. Puzzles enhance problem-solving, fine and gross motor, and cognitive skills and develop finger strength. Puzzles such as word puzzles boost verbal reasoning and vocabulary in your little one. However, before choosing the right puzzles for your children, ensure you consider your child’s age and check that the puzzle is made from strong, durable, and safe materials. These puzzles are available in various themes and types to suit your child’s interests, keeping them engaged and away from screens. So, help your child learn new skills and spend quality time with them.
Infographic: How Do Puzzles Help In Children’s Development?
A puzzle can be a fun way to keep your child occupied and away from screens. Solving a puzzle activates different parts of the brain and can help in overall development. Read the infographic below to learn how solving puzzles can benefit your child.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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