Jigsaw Puzzles

Working on a jigsaw puzzle is a great way to relax – and there’s a sense of excitement each time a new piece clicks into place. So it’s great to know you can keep on puzzling – on your own, or with family and friends – no matter your level of vision. All it takes is a few adjustments and some handy tools.

One tip is to choose a puzzle with more contrast and bold colors, and fewer small details. Choosing a sharp, clear design can make it easier to see the whole picture – as well as the patterns and colors on each piece.

And keep in mind the size of the puzzle pieces themselves. Larger ones make it easier to see and feel the knobs and holes. These are the little shapes that fit together. Look for the words “large pieces,” “XL pieces,” “easy grip” or “easy grasp” on the box. And if you’re searching online, note that puzzle makers sometimes spell “easy” with two letters: E, Z.

Part of the fun is building a puzzle that challenges you. But if you’re new to jigsaws – or if you haven’t done one in a while – finding one with a few hundred pieces, instead of a thousand or more, is a great way to practice some new tools and techniques.

And here’s something to keep in mind: High-quality puzzles are easier to work on, especially when you’re counting on how the pieces feel when they snap together. Look for puzzles that say “extra thick” or “interlocking pieces.” These puzzles keep their shape better and stay together once you’ve joined them. And you’re less likely to join two pieces that almost match up – but don’t quite belong together.

Jigsaw puzzles take time, so it’s handy to find a space where you can leave your work undisturbed and come back to it later. That way, you can organize the pieces and sections the way you like – and easily reach out to find them where you left them.

But if your puzzling area is a table or desk that needs to be used for other tasks, here are some handy ways to save your work just as you left it.

Puzzle tables and puzzle boards provide a wide, flat surface to do your work where you want to – and to move it out of the way when you need to. Some rotate so you can view your puzzle from another angle.

And some tilt, so you don’t have to bend over your work to see it better.Some even have drawers or trays where you can keep your pieces sorted. And many have lids – or sections that fold over the top.

You can also buy puzzle mats that provide a high-contrast background for your work, then roll up to hold your pieces in place. They’re easy to set aside – or carry with you – and unroll for your next session. The Resources section provides links to several tables, boards, roll-up mats and more. Or for a budget-friendly solution, you can use a yoga mat to roll up an unfinished puzzle.

Or make your own puzzle board using a cork or memo board, or any lightweight panel. Covering it with felt lets you choose a bold-black or clean-white background – or any other color that helps the pieces stand out for you. And sometimes you’re able to leave your puzzle in place and just cover it up with cardboard. Let your household members know it’s important to you, to keep your work exactly how you left it.

When you’re choosing a spot to do your puzzling, keep lighting in mind. Setting up near a window lets you take advantage of natural light. But when sunlight isn’t an option, an adjustable floor or table lamp helps you put the light right where it’s needed.

Wearing a headlamp can also be helpful – and some offer various levels of light for different needs. For more on lighting, check out our Let’s Talk Lighting workshop.

Sometimes, glare can get in the way of seeing your puzzle clearly. You can find some puzzles with a matte finish, which keeps them from being too shiny. And if your puzzle is shiny, putting it on a tilted surface helps reflect the light at an angle, so it doesn’t shine back in your eyes. For more tips, check out the workshop on Glare in our Low Vision series.

After you’ve chosen a puzzle and decided where to set up, getting organized keeps your puzzle time fun and relaxing – and makes it easier to find what you’re looking for, right at your fingertips.

Experienced puzzlers know that sorting the pieces is a great way to begin. And it’s especially helpful when you want to use skills and techniques that don’t just rely on sharp vision. For example, you can feel for the edge pieces and corners. And putting them all in one place makes it easy to find them later.

Sorting also works for different colors that stand out to you, or pieces that obviously belong together – like the ones for that antique car, or the field of flowers. And when you need to see more details, adding a tool to the mix can make finding the right piece even easier. Try a handheld magnifier or a digital video magnifier. And check out the workshops in our Magnifiers series for more tips and information.

Sorting trays help keep your puzzle pieces arranged and easy to find. There are different types of sorting trays made especially for puzzling. Some are stackable, and some are available in a rainbow of colors, which can be helpful when you want to see contrast. Or try shirt boxes – or flat, plastic containers with lids for storage. Lining your trays with colorful felt helps the pieces stand out, and it keeps them from sliding around.

Once you’ve sorted your pieces, let the puzzling begin! One handy way to begin your puzzle is to focus on an area that stands out to you – whether that’s the outside frame, or a bold and colorful section of the overall picture. Areas with high contrast can be easier to complete. And after these sections are done, you have fewer pieces to look through, while you fill in the rest of the puzzle.

Most people start with the frame, and then piece together other sections and place them roughly where they belong. This technique is a great way to start with some quick wins – and it helps build your puzzling expertise through different types of skills, like focusing on memory and location.

After you’ve built a section, here’s a simple way to move it into place: Use a puzzle scoop. This handy tool is shaped a bit like a cooking spatula, with a flashlight in the handle and a clear, flat surface that also works as a magnifying lens. Check out the Resources section for information about this helpful tool and other accessories.

As always, if you need more information or you've got your own tips to share, contact a Hadley learning expert. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience and practice, and you'll get there.