As a parent, finding activities that are both fun and educational for your children can often feel like a balancing act. But an old favorite, the jigsaw puzzle, is a great way to engage your young one’s mind while developing critical early achievement skills.
I really enjoy jigsaw puzzles myself, so I always enjoyed sharing this pass time with the kids too and in this blog post, we’re excited to introduce a set of 16 free printable jigsaw puzzles that are perfect for kids of various ages, available in vibrant cartoon scenes that range from magical castles to adventurous pirate ships.
I created this free printable jigsaw puzzle set, and they can all be downloaded at the end of this blog post. I will hopefully add some more soon in all kinds of themes, to go with different seasons and holidays and subject areas, but this set is great for all year round with fun themes that most preschoolers and young kids will enjoy.
Our printable puzzles come in eight delightful designs, each available in either a 9-piece version for beginners or a 36-piece set for those who are ready for a bit more of a challenge.
These puzzles are designed to captivate young minds with their fun details and colorful themes, including rainbows, forests, and playgrounds. They’re not just entertaining; they’re a fantastic tool for educational development.
How to Use Printable Jigsaw Puzzles
To get started, download the PDF file at the end of this blog post then simply print the puzzles on white card stock or heavy-duty printer papers for the best durability.
If you’re using regular paper, we recommend mounting it onto a thicker piece of cardboard or poster board to ensure the puzzles can handle enthusiastic play.
For a professional touch, visit your local office supply store for materials like clear contact paper to overlay your prints, protecting them from wear and tear.
Make sure your printer setup is correct—adjust the page margins and check your printer’s paper tray to ensure everything runs smoothly. Using sharp scissors that can cut through the thick cardboard, or a craft knife, follow the puzzle template lines carefully to cut out the pieces.
You can store all the pieces in zip lock bags to keep them organised after using, ready to use them over and over again. Keep a spare copy of the printed uncut page as a reference image for the jigsaw.
By following these instructions, anyone can set up a puzzle station at home. All you need is a basic inkjet or laser printer, and the free printable pages of puzzle templates downloaded below, and you’ll have access to a variety of puzzles right at your fingertips.
There is a brief printable version of these instructions included on each puzzle page as a reminder.
Free Printable Jigsaw Puzzles for Kids
We have a 9 piece or 36 piece version of each puzzle. The 9-piece and 36-piece jigsaw puzzles are generally suitable for different age groups based on the developmental milestones typical for each range:
9-Piece Jigsaw Puzzles
These puzzles are ideal for younger children, typically aged 2 to 4 years. At this age, toddlers are just beginning to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The larger and fewer pieces make it easier for their small hands to manipulate and fit them into place.
These puzzles help toddlers and preschoolers recognize simple patterns and shapes, and the act of matching pieces can boost their cognitive development. This is also a prime time to introduce them to the concept of ‘whole’ and ‘parts’ which are fundamental to spatial awareness.
36-Piece Jigsaw Puzzles
The 36-piece puzzles are more suited to slightly older children, generally from ages 4 to 6, which would be in Kindergarten or 1st grade. Children in this age group are better able to handle more complex tasks and smaller puzzle pieces. They have developed better problem-solving skills and can tackle the increased difficulty of a 36-piece puzzle.
This puzzle size helps to refine their fine motor skills further and enhances their ability to focus and concentrate on a task for longer periods. Additionally, completing more complex puzzles can provide a sense of achievement and improve their self-esteem.
These age ranges are general guidelines and can vary based on an individual child’s development and previous experience with puzzles. Some children might find transitioning between puzzle sizes an exciting challenge earlier or later than the typical age range, so it’s good to observe your child’s readiness for more complex puzzles. Some kids will enjoy doing the puzzles as independent work, while others may need support so work with the needs and level of each child.
Royal Adventure Castle Jigsaw Puzzle
Go on a royal quest with this beautiful castle and regal characters. Little princes and princesses can immerse themselves in a fairy-tale world, improving their attention to detail as they piece together the majestic towers and colorful rainbow.
Castle in the Clouds Jigsaw Puzzle
Dream big with this ethereal castle floating amongst the clouds. Piecing together this puzzle is like building their own kingdom in the sky — a serene way for kids to practice their problem-solving skills.
Related: Secret Castle Trinket Box Cardboard Craft
Knights and Dragons Jigsaw Puzzle
Brave knights and fiery dragons await in this mythical scene. Children will hone their fine motor skills and narrative thinking as they put together each piece, sparking their imaginations with tales of adventure.
Related: Dragons and knights coloring
Princesses and Palaces Jigsaw Puzzle
This puzzle is perfect for storytelling, featuring princes, princesses and a picturesque palace. As children complete the scene, they’re not just joining puzzle pieces, but also connecting the dots in their own enchanting story.
Related: Free Printable Princess Dress Coloring Pages for Kids
Playground Scene Jigsaw Puzzle
Jump into a world of play with this vibrant playground puzzle. It’s a wonderful way for kids to link the joy of outdoor play with indoor puzzle fun, all while improving their spatial awareness and coordination.
Mystical Forest Jigsaw Puzzle
Discover the wonders of a magical forest and its whimsical inhabitants. This puzzle encourages children to explore the beauty of nature, even from the comfort of their home, fostering an appreciation for the environment piece by piece.
Pirate Ship Jigsaw Puzzle
Set sail for adventure with this pirate ship puzzle. Young buccaneers can navigate through the seas of their imagination, charting a course for improved cognitive development with every piece.
Related: Yarn Wrapped Popsicle Stick Pirate Craft for Kids
Rainbow Over the Butterfly Meadow Jigsaw Puzzle
Complete the picture of a serene meadow full of butterflies crowned with a brilliant rainbow. This colorful puzzle helps children develop patience and attention skills, all while bringing a piece of the great outdoors into their playtime.
Related: Rainbow Butterfly Windsock Craft
Note: We showed either the 9 or the 36 pieces, but all puzzles can be downloaded in either version not just the one shown!
Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles
All of these designs we’ve put together are timeless puzzles, suitable for all year round and something with hopefully a wide appeal. This activity is perfect for developing skills. Jigsaw puzzles are more than just play. They are a key educational tool that helps in developing fine motor skills as children manipulate the puzzle pieces.
They also improve problem-solving skills and attention to detail, encourage patience, and boost overall cognitive development. For young children in their earliest years of life, these early experiences are crucial for later success, and that’s why jigsaws are some of our favorite educational toys.
Using puzzles also align with STEAM subjects—science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics—making them a great way to introduce these very important STEAM skills and stem concepts in a casual, enjoyable way. As they solve puzzles, children can learn about geometry through jigsaw puzzle shapes, or practice counting and recognizing patterns, which are foundational math skills.
Consider these puzzles not only as a tool for your own child’s development but also as a perfect activity for birthday parties or as a thoughtful gift. Pair them with a custom puzzle box for a personal touch, making it a great gift that is both unique and educational.
Download Free Printable Puzzles PDF
Click below to download your free printable jigsaw puzzle set. Choose either the PDF with the 9 piece, or the PDF with the 36 piece puzzles, or of course you can grab both versions of the printable puzzle. We split them into two PDFs just to make things easier.
Terms of use; This printable jigsaw puzzle set is free for personal use and free for classroom use. Not for commercial use.
9 piece puzzle pack
36 piece puzzle pack
In a world where digital screens are ever-present, providing children with physical puzzles to solve not only gives them a break from the screen but also offers a tactile, engaging way to develop essential skills.
With our free printable jigsaw puzzles, parents have a wonderful resource to help foster important developmental milestones and build attention skills.
So, sharpen those scissors, prepare the printer setup, and get ready for hours of fun and learning with your little ones!
Keep this activity fresh and exciting by regularly introducing new puzzles, and watch as your child’s problem-solving skills and confidence grow right before your eyes!
More printable jigsaw puzzles Halloween theme – and see how we used these for a cut and paste craft.
More Free Printable Activities for Kids
- Free Printable Farm Animal Lego Mats For Preschool
- Free Printable Playdough Mats for Tonnes of Preschool Themes
- Pretend Play Ice Cream Shop Printables
- Free Printable Blank Number line Worksheets
- 32 Free Printable Paper Dolls From Around The World
- 3D Robot Craft With Printable Template
If you enjoyed these free printable resources, please do share this blog post with friends and family or pin to your Pinterest board. We appreciate your shares and it helps us keep providing more free content. You can also subscribe via email to receive activities like this straight to your inbox all year round.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
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