What types of puzzles are there?

Puzzles are more than just a fun way to pass the time, they offer a variety of cognitive and emotional benefits while piquing our curiosity. With this in mind, they require skills such as pattern recognition, reasoning and problem solving, which can help strengthen memory and improve critical thinking skills.

Additionally, puzzles can be an excellent way to reduce stress. By focusing on the task at hand, we can distract ourselves from everyday worries and relax our mind. It’s almost like a moving meditation, where we get lost in the search for the next piece.

Interestingly, puzzles can also be a social activity. Assembling them in a group can strengthen family and friendship bonds, as well as providing moments of collaboration and shared fun. With this in mind, Grow, a Brazilian company that is a reference in puzzles and board games, launches eight different puzzles this April, for all ages.

Since 1972, we have promoted conviviality and fun for all ages through intelligent products capable of inspiring memorable encounters. We believe that being with people we like makes us happier and that meetings last forever”, says João Nagano, marketing director at Grow.

The history of the puzzle

The puzzle has an ancient and fascinating history. The first known puzzles date back to the 18th century in Europe. However, they were more like assembly puzzles, usually made of wood and intended as educational games for children from noble families. Modern puzzles, like the ones we know today, began to gain popularity in the late 19th century, especially picture puzzles, where an image is divided into pieces and the challenge is to put it back together.

Over time, puzzles have become a widely enjoyed pastime around the world, with a variety of themes, sizes and difficulty levels. Modern technologies have also allowed puzzles to be mass-produced and in a variety of materials, making them accessible to a wider audience.

The term “puzzle” has an interesting origin. It comes from the Old English “puseygode”, meaning “a confusing or complicated thing”. Over time, the word evolved into “puzzle” in modern English, and “bracket” in Portuguese. It is believed that the term “puzzle” was applied to matching and assembling games because of the challenging nature of figuring out how the pieces fit together correctly to form a complete picture. The idea of ​​”breaking” the initial configuration of the pieces and then “solving” the puzzle to put them together probably inspired the name.

Most Popular Types of Puzzles

There are many types of puzzles, each with its own characteristics and challenges. Here are some of the most popular:

• Image puzzles: these are the most common puzzles, where an image is divided into pieces that must be assembled to reconstruct the original image.
• Snap-together puzzles: These puzzles consist of pieces that fit together to form a three-dimensional structure or specific pattern.
• Logic Puzzles: Also known as reasoning puzzles, these challenges require logical and deductive thinking to solve problems like Sudoku, Kakuro, and mathematical logic puzzles.
• Word puzzles: include crosswords, word searches, cryptic crosswords and other word games that challenge vocabulary knowledge and association skills.
• Number puzzles: encompass games such as Sudoku, where numbers must be organized on a board according to specific rules.
• Mechanical puzzles: involve solving physical or mechanical problems to solve a challenge, such as the famous metal puzzles, locking challenges and object manipulation puzzles.
• Pattern Puzzles: These puzzles require you to identify and complete patterns in a series of elements, such as color sequences, shapes, or symbols.
• Three-dimensional puzzles: These are puzzles that span three dimensions, such as Rubik’s cubes and three-dimensional assembly puzzles.

These are just a few examples of the many types of puzzles available. Each category offers a unique and challenging experience for enthusiasts of all ages.

Benefits for early childhood education

Puzzles offer a range of educational benefits for children in early childhood. For John Nagano, marketing director at Grow, “puzzles are much more than just fun; They are powerful educational tools that stimulate children’s cognitive, motor and social development. At Grow, we believe that each piece that fits together represents a unique learning and growth opportunity for our players.”

Cognitive development: Assembling puzzles requires cognitive skills such as logical reasoning, problem solving, critical thinking, visual perception and spatial skills. This stimulates brain development and strengthens fundamental cognitive skills.

Improved motor coordination: Manipulating and fitting puzzle pieces together helps develop children’s hand-eye coordination and fine dexterity, improving their ability to control hand and finger movements.

Development of patience and persistence: Solving a puzzle can take time and effort, encouraging children to persist in the face of challenges and develop patience as they work to complete the task.

Stimulating concentration and attention: Assembling a puzzle requires concentration and focus, as children need to dedicate themselves to identifying the correct pieces and placing them in the right place, which can help improve their ability to concentrate and pay attention.

Promotion of self-confidence and self-esteem: Completing a puzzle provides a sense of accomplishment and success, which can increase children’s self-confidence and self-esteem, especially when facing challenges and overcoming obstacles.

Stimulating preschool learning: Puzzles can be used as educational tools to teach basic concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, letters and animals. They provide a fun, hands-on way for children to learn while they play.

Development of social skills: Solving puzzles in a group or with adult help promotes social interaction, teamwork and communication, helping children develop important social skills.

In summary, puzzles are a valuable tool in early childhood education as they offer a variety of cognitive, motor, emotional and social benefits that contribute to children’s holistic development.

Discover Grow’s latest launches

Progressive Puzzle Dinosaurs Sky, Land and Sea

The Dinosaurs Sky, Land and Sea Progressive Puzzle brings, in the same box, three puzzles with different numbers and sizes of pieces that determine increasing levels of difficulty. Once assembled, they form a beautiful image. The pieces of each puzzle can be differentiated by the back, making it easier to separate the models. The child will begin assembling the 12-piece puzzle, so that assembling the 20 and 30-piece illustrations offers a progressive, attractive and very fun challenge!

Puzzle 60 pieces – Potions Class

Now you can have a beautiful puzzle with 60 pieces, so you can fit them together one by one until you form a beautiful picture of the potions class. More than a fun pastime, puzzles develop reasoning, relax and become a real hobby.

Giant Puzzle Play – Map of Brazil

After rejuvenating the packaging, the Giant Puzzle Play of the Map of Brazil has a new look. In addition to stimulating logical reasoning and concentration, with augmented reality, it offers children a fun and interactive way to learn everything about our country. The puzzle has pieces shaped like states, illustrations of tourist attractions, peculiarities of each region and a cell phone or tablet application that makes it easier for children to visualize, in three dimensions, the different types of climate, vegetation, relief and even the distribution of the population. in Brazilian territory.

Puzzle 100 – Extinct Animals pieces

Explore the Extinct Animals 100 Piece Puzzle! With vibrant illustrations, this puzzle takes you on an exciting journey. Each piece offers a new discovery, from mighty dinosaurs to giant mammoths.

Puzzle 200 pieces – Tourism Around the World

Explore the world with our 200 Piece World Tour Puzzle! With vibrant colors, this puzzle takes you on an adventure through the main tourist attractions of each continent. Each piece offers a new discovery. Ideal for little explorers!

Puzzle 500 pieces – Adorable Felines

Explore our 500 Piece Adorable Feline Puzzle! In this captivating image, three kittens look at each other in the reflection of the water like fierce felines. Each piece of this puzzle reveals the transformation of these adorable kittens into powerful predators, inviting you to piece together this intriguing scene.

Puzzle 500 pieces – Aurora Borealis

Discover the mesmerizing beauty of the Northern Lights with our 500 Piece Puzzle! In this stunning image, the dancing colors of the night sky blend into a celestial spectacle. Each piece of this puzzle reveals a stunning piece of this natural wonder, inviting you to piece together this fascinating scene.

Puzzle 1000 pieces – Moonlight on Mont Saint-Michel

Be enchanted by our 1000 Piece Puzzle Moonlight in Mont Saint-Michel! In this stunning image, the imposing silhouette of Mont Saint-Michel emerges from the serene waters, as the moon shines softly upon its medieval architecture. Ideal for puzzle lovers who want to discover the serenity and charm of this jewel in Normandy, France.

Puzzle 1000 – Sunset in Havana

Explore our 1000 Piece Sunset in Havana Puzzle! In this captivating image, the sky flares up in shades of gold and blue as the sun sets over Havana’s iconic colorful buildings and classic cars. Each piece of this puzzle reveals a little piece of the vibrant and nostalgic atmosphere of this Caribbean city, inviting you to uncover the enchanting details of this tropical landscape at sunset.

Puzzle 1500 pieces – Blue Ocean Panorama

The 1500 Piece Puzzle Panorama Oceano Azul has a unique and exclusive design. An enchanting puzzle that forms a beautiful image of the ocean depths and its rich marine life.

Visit the official Grow website and stay up to date with the latest news: www.lojagrow.com.br