“Curiouser and curiouser,” said Alice.
And with those wise observations, she drank from every bottle. And she opened every door—getting it into all sorts of situations.
I have a little ‘Alice’ too. And his curious mind seems determined to explore our world through his five senses.
Like any toddler his age, he wants to investigate all objects, experiment with materials, and discover the world around him. Which is why I need mix and match puzzles. These puzzles can help foster his curiosity without compromising his safety.
Understanding the Curious Mind
Children are naturally inquisitive because that is how they learn. When children are curious, the chemistry of their brains changes. They become more observant and focused, and their minds become geared towards faster learning.
This is where mix and match puzzles come in.
These open-ended puzzles allow preschoolers and kindergarteners to explore, observe, and experiment with different options. Having multiple choices allows them to develop their attention span. It also helps them make decisions and improves their critical thinking.
Like us, children love puzzles. It is like sitting with the Sunday crossword or a game of Suduko and a nice warm cup of cocoa. You might not be able to complete it. All the same, you enjoy the stimulation and calm as you focus on your problem-solving skills.
That’s the feeling your toddler gets when they play with their favorite puzzles. Research shows that puzzle play helps develop problem-solving skills. It also develops fine motor skills and improves focus and concentration in kids. Who knows, this might even become a great way for your toddler to entertain himself while you are busy with your newborn.
Here are some of my top favorites among mix and match puzzles.
I have listed them in order of difficulty. This can help you choose puzzles based on your child’s age, interests, and development.
Best Mix And Match Puzzles For Pre-Schoolers
Learning with Banana Panda Match The Farm Animals Matching Game
Age: 2+
Number of pieces: 36
This puzzle is great for introducing preschoolers to farm animals and their babies, as well as their diet. Its 2-in-1 format encourages children to explore different choices and also helps logic and memory.
You can also use the puzzle to make up stories by putting together different puzzle pieces. “Look, a mouse is here to play with the rooster.”
Melissa & Dough Mix ‘n Match Wooden Bear Family Dress-Up Puzzle
Age: 3+
Number of pieces: 47
Another great toy from Melissa & Doug, this puzzle mix and match is a great learning resource. It can help in teaching toddlers about body parts, patterns, and colors. It is portable which makes it a great toy for travel. The three bears also encourage story-telling, creativity, and imagination.
With no wrong answers and multiple dress-up options, the learning possibilities are endless.
Best Puzzle For Your Little Paw Patrol Fan
Paw Patrol Magnetic Wood Dress-Up Puzzle
Age: 36 months
Number of Pieces: 25
Got a fan of the Paw Patrol?
This puzzle was a hit with my little one because he was a huge fan of Chase and he lacked the patience needed for puzzles. He would get frustrated after trying to jam a square peg into a round hole. So, puzzle playtime wasn’t tempting unless it meant puzzles like these. Since there are no right or wrong answers, he had a great time matching outfits for the pups.
Best 3-D Mix And Match Puzzles For Hand-Eye Coordination
Magnetic Mix or Match Jungle Animals Toy Play Set
Age: 2+
Number of pieces: 12
This is hands down my favorite mix and match puzzle set. The 3D Jungle magnetic pieces click on easily. It is easy for tiny fingers and comes with four animals that are divided into four parts. They are great for teaching colors and can be used as zoo/jungle animals for open-ended play once your child is older.
I felt this was a great stepping stone to the concept of Legos and building concepts since the magnets snap into place.
DIY 3D Mix And Match Puzzle Printable
Feeling a bit more hands-on?
This mix and match puzzle printable is perfect for preschoolers. All you need is a little glue, a pair of scissors, and a curious mind.
The 2-page printout comes with easy-to-follow instructions. The sheets can be colored and glued together by your toddler to make two cubes. These two cubes can be placed on top of each other to make a total of four different robot combinations!
My top tip for this one is to print on cardstock. You can stuff paper inside the cube to make it sturdier and prevent it from collapsing mid-play.
Best Open-Ended Mix and Match Puzzle To Boost Creativity
Toi Kids Magnet Toys Magnetic Jigsaw Puzzle
Age: 3+
Number of pieces: 76
This Toi Kids Magnet Mix and Match puzzle is like a 2D building block set.
It comes with 30 reference cards and 76 magnetic particles that include different shapes. The reference cards have simple patterns to create different animals and objects like planes, trains, and whales.
The puzzle is magnetic, so the pieces easily stick to the lid of the box. This feature makes it a perfect on-the-go toy. I kept mine specifically for long waiting hours at the dentist.
My older son didn’t seem to enjoy it, but the younger one, who is more creative, loved playing with the patterns and coming up with his own creatures.
I have passed on many great puzzles by sharing them with friends and family. And this one stood out because, despite missing pieces, the puzzle was not rendered useless.
Choosing the Right Mix and Match Puzzles for Your Child
The right puzzles should be:
- open-ended,
- sturdy,
- portable,
- quick and easy to pack, and
- include a good storage box.
I personally prefer puzzles that:
- mix and match and encourage creativity,
- improve hand-eye coordination, and
- help reinforce early childhood concepts like farm animals, body parts, and colors.
But if you want to know my favorite thing about what makes puzzle mix and match so darn great?
It is the fact that they are not noisy or loud. I’m not sure how much more of the high-pitched sirens and wails from the tiny toy cars I can take!
It’s the perfect hack you need to enjoy your morning coffee in peace- and perhaps even take a stab at the day’s crossword.