I’m amazed that my 4-year-old still likes doing the wooden preschool puzzles at our local library. Maybe it makes her feel proud to show off just how fast she can complete them. Or maybe it’s because they’re unlike the same old, same old puzzles at home. If you know a preschooler (or even an ambitious toddler) looking for the next step up in the puzzle world, but who’s not quite ready for the 24-piece jigsaw variety, check out Skip Hop’s Animal Zoo Match and Play Puzzle, made up of 6 mini vignettes of playful animals just begging for little hands to uncover. Because each of the 10 pieces corresponds with the correct letter in its background, it’s a fun way to teach matching, letters and shapes (that whale’s spout can’t possibly fit inside an apple). We like that this multi-tiered layout offers plenty of stimulation, without frustration. Younger puzzlers may need an extra hand from a patient grown-up, but after some practice, they’ll be mastering this toy before you know. And you may just find yourself spending a lot more time in the library’s puzzle corner, too.
In a Nutshell: Perfectly pleasing, this puzzle helps preschoolers figure out how to problem-solve while playing.
