Jigsaw puzzles offer more than just entertainment; they're an excellent way for seniors to keep their minds active, improve focus, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment. Whether your loved one is a seasoned puzzler or just starting, there are options to suit every ability level and interest.
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In this article, we explore the best jigsaw puzzles for seniors, from large-piece designs for easier handling to challenging patterns for those who want a brain boost. Discover how this classic pastime can provide cognitive benefits, relaxation, and joyful engagement at any stage of life.
Jigsaw Puzzles for Seniors: Hours of Entertainment
Activities for seniors are essential for preventing boredom and boosting mood.
Jigsaw puzzles for seniors can provide hours of entertainment for people individually or with friends and family!
Puzzles also help older adults exercise their fingers and minds, have fun, and feel a sense of accomplishment.
The key is to find a puzzle that suits their ability level and has a picture they like.
To help you find something your older adult will enjoy, we rounded up dozens of fun puzzles with beautiful pictures.
We found options for people looking for simpler puzzles, ones designed for Alzheimer’s or dementia, puzzles for people with impaired vision, and even custom puzzles made from your own photos.
Simpler Puzzles for Seniors with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Seniors with mild cognitive decline can still enjoy puzzles. Start by choosing one with a simple picture and fewer pieces than they used to enjoy.
If you’re not sure, start with a 50 or 100-piece puzzle and see how that goes.
If they find that one to be too easy or too hard, you’ll know to increase or decrease the number of pieces when choosing the next puzzle.
- Caribbean Smile – an underwater scene with friendly dolphins, 60 pieces
- Lunch Time – two squirrels having lunch, 60 pieces
- Puppy Party – a group of adorable puppies, 60 pieces
- No Dogs on The Beach – a fun group of “cool” dogs hanging out on the beach, 100 pieces
- The Solar System – great for people who are interested in space, 100 pieces
- USA State Map – a fun design and nice map of the U.S., 100 pieces
More Challenging Jigsaw Puzzles for Seniors
For older adults who enjoy puzzles and are looking for something more challenging, try one of these:
- Tropical Waters – underwater scene filled with amazing sea creatures, 500 pieces
- Sacred One – a majestic tree in a beautiful sunset landscape, 500 pieces
- In The Still Light of Dawn – winter landscape with a snowy barn and birds, 500 pieces
- Mountains on Fire – a gorgeous mountain range sunset, 750 pieces
Jigsaw Puzzles for People with Alzheimer’s or Dementia
Puzzles designed for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia have fewer and larger pieces that are easier to grip and see.
The pictures in these puzzles are lovely, vibrant, and perfect for adults, not childish at all.
Some of our favorites
- Blooming Lovely – a lovely gardening scene, 13 piece
- Lily Pond – a beautiful lily pond scene, 13 pieces
- Aquamarine – a peaceful ocean scene, 16 large pieces
- 4-Pack of Animal Puzzles – horses, dogs, birds, and chickens, 16 large pieces per puzzle
- Around the Birdfeeder – winter scene of cardinals at a birdfeeder, 35 pieces, color coded templates and bonus activities
- Road Trip – vintage cars at a cheerful roadside town, 35 piece
- Beach Day – a beautiful beach sunset, 48 large pieces
- Farm Life – a vibrant fall farmhouse scene, 100 pieces
- Take Flight – colorful hot air balloons floating over a river, 100 pieces
Click here to browse more puzzles designed for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Puzzles for Seniors with Vision Impairment
Some older adults are doing well cognitively, but their eyesight or hand flexibility has declined.
In this case, a puzzle with larger pieces, but a lot of them, may be just what you need. That way, the challenge will be in the puzzle itself, not in seeing or putting the pieces together.
Some of our favorites
- Sunflowers & Songbirds – bright cardinals and sunny sunflowers, 100 large pieces
- Great Outdoors – peaceful camping scene, 100 large pieces
- Songbird Menagerie – a group of beautiful songbirds gather in a meadow, 300 large pieces
- Seaside Happiness – a relaxing seaside view including a windmill and flowers, 300 large pieces
- Cat's Got Mail – a group of cats lounging on a bank of mailboxes, 300 large pieces
- Frank's Friendly Service – a vintage filling station scene, 300 large pieces
- Classic American Country Scenes, set of three (3) puzzles – scenes from the countryside, 300 large pieces each
- Ravensburger Meet You at Jack's – a nostalgic diner scene, 750 large pieces
Creating a Custom Photo Puzzle
It’s easy to turn a custom photo into a fun puzzle. Just choose your older adult’s favorite family or nature photo and upload it to a puzzle-making service.
Many seniors, especially those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, really enjoy photo puzzles.
A few options
- Walmart – from $9, 30 pieces and up
- Portrait Puzzles – from $30, 30 pieces and up
- Shutterfly – from $33, 30 pieces and up, large pieces available
Recommended for you:
- Audio Books for Seniors Entertain and Engage
- Chair Yoga for Seniors: Reduce Pain and Improve Health
- 9 Enjoyable Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility
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About the Author
Connie Chow
Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
