These four jigsaw puzzles for children were donated in 1983 to the Museum. Each puzzle has different features with respect to their intended users. As a child develops more coordination, they are usually able to assemble a puzzle with pieces that are reduced in size, but grow in number!
Western Publishing Company designed this puzzle with a frame 28cm long x 21cm wide. To make it easier for young children who might not have enough finger grasping control. Both the large pieces and the frame used for placing the pieces are designed for small hands.
The frame is glued onto a backing. This device is known as a frame-tray, in that the puzzle also has a backing as a guide to where a child may place the puzzle pieces within the frame.
There are 12 large interlocking pieces, each on the average about 7cm x 9cm. It is possible to discern the large size of each piece by noting the black/white lines in the photograph. The puzzle background is of a solid color offering less complexity for the child.
The picture is of a well known Jim Henson Sesame Street Muppet. The Sesame Street Logo is on the upper right of the frame.
The manufacturer, Witman Golden Limited, designed this puzzle to be used by young children as an introduction to jigsaw puzzles. Special considerations in making jigsaw puzzles for young children includes a frame in which to place the puzzle pieces; a small number of large interlocking pieces; and a picture with non-complex elements. While the previous example offers a puzzle with a solid background and an image, this example offers more complexity in that there are differences in the background picture.
This example puzzle has a 21.2cm square frame into which 9 large irregular interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces fit to form the picture. The average size of a puzzle piece is 7.5cm x 8.5cm.
For a little older child who has more coordination and some experience with jigsaw puzzles, the manufacturer, Witman Golden Limited, designed a slightly more complex puzzle.
Although the puzzle is larger, and the assembled puzzle is 29cm long x 38cm wide, the picture elements are still not very complex. The puzzle contains 63 interlocking pieces with an average size of 6.3cm x 4.1cm. There isn't great diversity in the shape of pieces.
This puzzle pictures well known Disney characters. It is intended for an older child. The picture elements are more complex than the previous two puzzles, making the puzzle harder to assemble.
When assembled, the puzzle is 46cm long x 36cm wide. There are 160 interlocking pieces, with an average size of 4cm x 3.3cm. In addition to a larger number of pieces, there are a larger variety of shapes than in the other puzzles pictured. This puzzle was also made by Witman Golden Limited.
Last update April 3, 2010