With additional reporting by Chris Lundy and Brenda Ruggiero
Puzzles are a developmental powerhouse, teaching kids about shapes, patterns, and developing spacial reasoning and fine motor skills. According to specialty retailers interviewed by TDmonthly, these are the best-selling puzzles in specialty.
*No manufacturer paid to be included in this list. All products listed were designated by editorial staff without regard to the company's relationship with TOYDIRECTORY.com/TDmonthly Magazine.
Where to Put It? by RAVENSBURGER
Instead of jigsaw pieces, this puzzle is made up of distinct, smooth-edged, and glare-free shapes that combine to form a picturesque moment in time and pull apart to show that moment in black and white underneath! But this puzzle also reveals in those who complete it the ability to strategize, manipulate space, and exercise manual dexterity. Ravensburger puzzle pieces are extra durable to withstand the demands of little hands and promote the development of fine motor skills, association, task completion and independent play. — In a July 2013 survey, five out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Ravensburger was their best-selling puzzle brand. — In a July 2014 survey, four out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Ravensburger was their best-selling puzzle brand.
Help each magnetic animal find its place and environment. This magnetic book with removable pieces is "bound" to amuse and educate with pet, farm, wild and undersea animal shaped magnetic pieces. — As of 1/17/2013 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 21 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Good for travel; Easy enough for young children but challenging enough to hold their interest. Cons: Pictures begin to fade after a while. — In a November 2013 survey, Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly that puzzles, especially from Melissa & Doug, are a best-selling education toy.
Featuring detailed images of 8 favorite noisy vehicles, this wooden peg puzzle makes the vehicle sound when a piece is placed correctly in the puzzle board. Eight sounds in all. Full-color, matching picture under each piece. Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.5" x 11.7" Assembled. AAA batteries not included. — Michael O'Dell of Toys from the Attic in Rehoboth Beach, Del., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells 10 Melissa & Doug sound puzzles each month. — As of 7/12/2011 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 23 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Affordable; engaging. Cons: Many reviewers said the sounds were poor quality. — In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, three out of 14 retailers said that puzzles from Melissa & Doug were their best sellers in the category. “Melissa and Doug has been a core of the store for years and years," Mike Snyder, owner and manager of Cville's Hobbies, Games and Toys in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly.
Rubik's Cube 25th Anniversary Edition by WINNING MOVES GAMES
1980, the year Olympic skater Michelle Kwan and pop-singer Christina Aguilera were born, President Ronald Reagan was in the White House and millions of Americans were tuning into the TV show Dallas, was also “the year of the Cube!” Now a pop-culture icon, the first Rubik’s Cube made its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York in 1980, and within just two years, 100 million “Cubes” were in households from Peoria, Ill. to Paris. The cube has 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 combinations and can be solved by true aficionados in as few as 16 seconds. It’s a great time to pick up the Cube again. The 25th Anniversary Edition Rubik’s Cube comes in a collectable silver packaging and with a free Rubik’s Cube stand.
Our unique package design has made these puzzles instant best-sellers. Great themes and illustrations. Unique compelling design. Eye-catching, reusable package. Each 100-pc puzzle is 8" x 12". Pouch is 5.5"W x 7.25"H x 2" D. For ages 5 & up. Crocodile creek products conform to all of the appropriate safety standards. — Dean Smith, owner of Jazams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that they sell 10 of this item each month. — In a July 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Ravensburger was their best-selling puzzle brand.
Players give their brains a spin in the right direction and put all the twisted puzzle pieces on the game board. It looks easy until they realize that there are pegs that are in the way. And players can only put a playing piece over a peg if both are the same color. 100 challenges ranging from easy to extremely difficult. It's compact, so it's an ideal brain snack while on the go. — Paula Bolte, owner of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co. in Blacksburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a February 2012 survey about best selling games that "Over Christmas time, IQTwist did well. Getting a big display of it and playing with it in the store helped."
A fun and educational way of discovering the planet. Each magnet represents a country or region of the world, with its name, capital and an illustration characteristic of that part of the world. The big magnetic board shows the world with its continents and oceans: the colour used for each region helps you find its place. Have fun putting each country in its place and you will have a wonderful map of the world which you can hang on the wall. Wood : Plywood (tray + magnets). Printing : sticked paper.Delivered shrinkwrapped. Cardboard wedge provided in the master carton to protect the world maps during delivery.
Three really bright and colourful Disney Frozen jigsaw puzzles for fans everywhere to enjoy! Each of the puzzles features key characters from the popular Disney Movie. Each puzzle is cut to 49 pieces. The puzzles are marked on the reverse with a different pattern, so that puzzle pieces can be readily sorted before being assembled Puzzles are an excellent way to encourage your child’s observation, imagination and communication skills. Ask questions about the picture or get your child to talk about the picture – for example ask them to name the characters, what they think is happening, and even what some of the characters are saying. Ravensburger Puzzles are easily identified by the "blue triangle" logo.
Perfectly crafted, curved puzzle pieces allow for an exact fit and are easily assembled together to form a solid, smooth ball - with no glue required! Includes Base Stand.
Dinosaur Dawn Floor Puzzle - 24 Pieces by MELISSA & DOUG
This puzzle features dramatic dinosaurs in an exciting prehistoric scene. 2' x 3' when complete, it features 24 extra-thick pieces with an Easy-Clean surface to keep them looking like new.
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
