Bored at home? These puzzles will help you pass the time
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As the cold weather hits, you may feel the cabin fever sinking in. One way to prevent that is by preparing a list of activities you and your family can do at home.
After playing a board game, having a movie marathon and reading your favorite books, you can pass time by doing a challenging puzzle! In an effort to help you decompress and get your mind off things, we’ve created a list of the best puzzles for adults.
From the best destination-themed puzzles to a nostalgic "Friends" word search book, we’ve got you covered with more than enough options.
The list below has puzzles by category. To quickly jump to a specific section, click the links below or keep scrolling to check out all 27 of our picks.
Bestselling puzzles for adults
1. Space Puzzle 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Space Puzzle 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Space Puzzle 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle $12.99 at Amazon
This space-themed puzzle is extremely popular among Amazon shoppers. "It has been a long time since we sat as a family to work on a puzzle like this. Everyone was super excited because it is such a busy image, making it easier to put together," wrote one verified reviewer. "The pieces are all cut perfectly and the image is nice and sharp. We are looking forward to finishing it and hanging it up on the wall."
2. Moruska 1,000 Piece Gradient Rainbow Jigsaw Puzzle
Moruska 1000 Piece Gradient Rainbow Jigsaw Puzzle
Moruska 1000 Piece Gradient Rainbow Jigsaw Puzzle $14.99 at Amazon
Moruska 1000 Piece Gradient Rainbow Jigsaw Puzzle $29.99 at The Original Puzzle
The 1,000 piece circular puzzle comes with letters on each piece to help reduce difficulty by section. It's the perfect challenge to get the family working together.
3. Gray Malin 500 Piece Snow Jigsaw Puzzle
Galison Gray Malin 2-Sided 500-Piece Snow Jigsaw Puzzle
Galison Gray Malin 2-Sided 500-Piece Snow Jigsaw Puzzle $23.56 at Amazon
Galison Gray Malin 2-Sided 500-Piece Snow Jigsaw Puzzle $23.56 at Walmart
Galison Gray Malin 2-Sided 500-Piece Snow Jigsaw Puzzle $25.00 at Gray Malin
This Gray Malin puzzle features two birds-eye view photos taken from a doorless helicopter over a snow-capped mountain. One side has a magical winter wonderland, while the other has an array of colorful skiers on white snow.
4. Custom Hometown Map Puzzle
Custom Hometown Map Puzzle
Custom Hometown Map Puzzle $39.95 at The Grommet
Custom Hometown Map Puzzle $39.95 at Butler & Hill
Go the custom route with a map puzzle of your hometown. This personalized piece is a great gift option, too!
5. New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle
New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle
New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle $49.95 at UncommonGoods
For another personalized option, try this custom puzzle featuring the front page of the New York Times from any date (you can go as far back as 1851!). The 500-piece puzzle makes for a thoughtful birthday or anniversary gift.
Jigsaw puzzles for adults
1. Areaware Gradient Puzzle
Areaware Gradient Puzzle
Areaware Gradient Puzzle $25.00 at Amazon
Areaware Gradient Puzzle $35.00 at Food52
Areaware Gradient Puzzle $19.00 at Urban Outfitters
This striking puzzle is as vibrant as it is challenging. The ombre shades of pink, orange and yellow will capture your mind and the end result is so satisfying.
2. The Impossible Clear Jigsaw Puzzle
The Impossible Clear Jigsaw Puzzle
The Impossible Clear Jigsaw Puzzle $11.36 at Etsy
The name says it all — and we can't think of anything more challenging than a clear jigsaw puzzle. Starting at $11, this difficult puzzle is designed for those with all the patience in the world. Are you up for the test?
3. Movie Lovers Puzzle
Movie Lovers Puzzle
Movie Lovers Puzzle $16.00 at Urban Outfitters
Movie Lovers Puzzle $12.95 at Barnes and Noble
Love classic movies? Then you'll enjoy piecing together all those favorites from "King Kong" to "Sabrina."
4. Piecework Puzzles Meta Puzzle
Piecework Puzzles Meta Puzzle
Piecework Puzzles Meta Puzzle $36.00 at Anthropologie
Piecework Puzzles Meta Puzzle $36.00 at West Elm
Piecework Puzzles Meta Puzzle $32.40 at Verishop
It doesn't get more meta than a puzzle of someone putting together a puzzle!
5. Printworks Sky Series 500 Piece Puzzle
Printworks Sky Series 500 Piece Puzzle
Printworks Sky Series 500 Piece Puzzle $19.00 at Urban Outfitters
Printworks Sky Series 500 Piece Puzzle $22.50 at Verishop
Printworks Sky Series 500 Piece Puzzle $25.00 at Amazon
Whether you prefer dawn, dusk or night, Printworks has a gorgeous sky puzzle for you. The 500-piece jigsaw puzzle features gradient shades that beautifully capture the outdoors.
6. Piecework Puzzles Life of the Party 1,000 Piece Puzzle
Piecework Puzzles Life of the Party 1,000 Piece Puzzle
Piecework Puzzles Life of the Party 1,000 Piece Puzzle $36.00 at Anthropologie
Piecework Puzzles Life of the Party 1,000 Piece Puzzle $32.40 at Verishop
Piecework Puzzles Life of the Party 1,000 Piece Puzzle $36.00 at West Elm
Have your cake and eat it too! This 1970s-inspired puzzle has bold pops of color from the decadent cake to the bright confetti and candy.
7. Galison Astrology 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Galison Astrology 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Galison Astrology 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle $16.47 at Amazon
Galison Astrology 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle $17.99 at Barnes and Noble
Galison Astrology 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle $16.47 at Walmart
Any astrology lover will immediately want to dive in to this 1,000-piece puzzle. Each of the zodiac signs is inlayed with gold foil for a cosmic sparkle.
8. Buffalo Games Coffee and Donuts 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Buffalo Games Coffee and Donuts 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Buffalo Games Coffee and Donuts 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle $10.99 at Amazon
Do you love coffee and donuts? If so, you might find it difficult to complete this puzzle without making a Dunkin' run!
9. Golden Girls 1,000 Piece Puzzle
Golden Girls 1000 Piece Puzzle
Golden Girls 1000 Piece Puzzle $22.00 at Urban Outfitters
Golden Girls 1000 Piece Puzzle $14.99 at Amazon
Golden Girls 1000 Piece Puzzle $23.98 at Walmart
Grab a piece of cheesecake and your best gal pals to put together this perfectly nostalgic puzzle!
10. Galison Full Bloom World Map Puzzle
Galison Full Bloom World Map Puzzle
Galison Full Bloom World Map Puzzle $16.99 at Amazon
Galison Full Bloom World Map Puzzle $16.99 at Barnes and Noble
Galison Full Bloom World Map Puzzle $20.70 at Walmart
This 1,000 piece puzzle puts a colorful twist on a world map. Piece together the flowers and butterflies to complete the beautiful picture.
Location-specific jigsaw puzzles
1. Michael Storrings The Great White Way 2,000 Piece Puzzle
Michael Storrings The Great White Way 2000 Piece Puzzle
Michael Storrings The Great White Way 2000 Piece Puzzle $30.06 at Amazon
Michael Storrings The Great White Way 2000 Piece Puzzle $26.69 at Etsy
Michael Storrings The Great White Way 2000 Piece Puzzle $29.99 at Walmart
Dreaming of the bright lights in Times Square? This colorful puzzle is a fun take on New York City's most popular tourist destination.
2. Ravensburger "A Paris Stroll" 1,500 Piece Puzzle
Ravensburger "A Paris Stroll" 1500 Piece Puzzle
Ravensburger "A Paris Stroll" 1500 Piece Puzzle $26.99 at Amazon
Ravensburger "A Paris Stroll" 1500 Piece Puzzle $69.10 at Walmart
Transport yourself to Paris with this charming and romantic Ravensburger puzzle.
3. Cinque Terre Liguria, Italy 1,000 Piece Puzzle
Cinque Terre Liguria, Italy 1000 Piece Puzzle
Cinque Terre Liguria, Italy 1000 Piece Puzzle $20.95 at Zazzle
Enjoy the beautiful and scenic view of Cinque Terre while you sip on wine around the fire.
Other puzzle games for adults
1. Geode Puzzle
Geode Puzzle
Geode Puzzle $65.00 at UncommonGoods
While traditional jigsaw puzzles are always fun, sometimes it's even more fun to mix things up a little bit. This challenging and beautiful geode puzzle is not only easy on the eyes, but also super challenging for the brain.
2. Educational Insights Kanoodle Brain-Twisting Solitaire Game
Educational Insights Kanoodle Brain-Twisting Solitaire Game
Educational Insights Kanoodle Brain-Twisting Solitaire Game $8.39 at Amazon
Educational Insights Kanoodle Brain-Twisting Solitaire Game $8.39 at Target
Educational Insights Kanoodle Brain-Twisting Solitaire Game $12.99 at Kohl's
This puzzle is so popular, the brand behind it has already sold over two million units. The 2D and 3D puzzle is only 12 pieces, but with over 200 challenges, it's a brain teaser both kids and adults can enjoy.
3. 540 Colors 3D Puzzle
540 Colors 3D Puzzle
540 Colors 3D Puzzle $70.00 at UncommonGoods
This 3D puzzle doubles as home decor once it's complete. With over 500 different colored pieces and almost every color imaginable, the whole family will enjoy putting this puzzle together.
4. Ravensburger Chrysler Building 3D Jigsaw Puzzle
Ravensburger 3D Chrysler Building Jigsaw Puzzle
Ravensburger 3D Chrysler Building Jigsaw Puzzle $30.70 at Amazon
Ravensburger 3D Chrysler Building Jigsaw Puzzle $47.25 at Walmart
3D puzzles for adults have become quite the trend over the last few years! This Chrysler Building puzzle is a perfect option to get started with if you're new to this style of puzzle.
5. Night Sky Wooden Puzzle
Night Sky Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle
Night Sky Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle $90.00 at UncommonGoods
This wooden puzzle is truly a work of art! The handmade brain teaser is a nighttime view of the starry Milky Way galaxy that kids and adults can enjoy piecing together.
6. Simon & Schuster Mega Crossword Puzzle Book
Simon & Schuster Mega Crossword Puzzle Book
Simon & Schuster Mega Crossword Puzzle Book $9.79 at Amazon
Simon & Schuster Mega Crossword Puzzle Book $9.79 at Walmart
Simon & Schuster Mega Crossword Puzzle Book $15.99 at Barnes and Noble
Crossword puzzles are another popular choice for relaxing after a long day. This Simon & Schuster Mega crossword puzzle book has over 300 tasks, offering hours of stimulation for problem solvers of every level.
7. "Friends" Word Search Book
'Friends' Word Search Book
'Friends' Word Search Book $7.95 at Amazon
'Friends' Word Search Book $7.95 at Walmart
'Friends' Word Search Book $7.95 at Bookshop
If you can't seem to stop watching reruns of "Friends" and enjoy word searches, this book is definitely for you! This book features so many fun moments with puzzles related to the show's locations, characters and actors.
8. "Ultimate Mind Games" Puzzle Book
Ultimate Mind Games Puzzle Book
Ultimate Mind Games Puzzle Book $5.99 at Amazon
Ultimate Mind Games Puzzle Book $5.99 at Barnes and Noble
Ultimate Mind Games Puzzle Book $5.51 at Bookshop
This "Ultimate Mind Games" puzzle book is complete with over 400 brain teasers for adults that will keep your mind in tip-top shape.
9. Rubik's 5x5 Brain Teaser
Rubik's 5x5 Brain Teaser
Rubik's 5x5 Brain Teaser $31.99 at Kohl's
Rubik's 5x5 Brain Teaser $36.79 at Amazon
Rubik's 5x5 Brain Teaser $31.99 at Macy's
Forget the classic Rubik's cube! This 5x5 is the most challenging Rubik's ever made and has more combinations than any other puzzle in the world.
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This article was published on January 7, 2020.
