We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Get building with the family or give as a present this Christmas 3d World Puzzle
Puzzles can be great hobby to enjoy in the comfort of your home with family members on a cold, crisp winter's day or during a leisurely weekend with friends – and the end result after all that hard work and patience can be very rewarding indeed. A 3D puzzle can look very impressive and be the centrepiece of any room.
As well as looking pleasing and giving us sense of satisfaction, 3D puzzles offer many positive cognitive benefits; they can improve memory, mood, concentration and focus, strengthen problem-solving skills, and offer stress relief while giving us hours of fun and entertainment.
3D puzzles can be slightly more challenging than their 2D counterparts –requiring you to think three-dimensionally sharpens spatial awareness and improves mental agility. Some puzzles can feature complex architectural designs, which promote strategic thinking and encourage lateral thinking. It can also help with patience, observation ability and potentially steer us away from too much screen time on our smart phones, tablets and computers – and in turn, get us involved in some team work.
And is there any greater feeling of satisfaction at the end when you can stand back and admire your masterpiece? Plus, once constructed, the puzzles serve decorative and educational purposes if you've made your own globe or solar system. As Christmas edges closer, a 3D puzzle can be a great gift or stocking filler for family members, young or old, that the whole household can get involved with over the festive holidays.
We've selected a round-up of 3D puzzles suited for everyone – from Harry Potter fans to aspiring astronomers – below...
Perfect for puzzle enthusiasts – create your own globe of the world with this 3D puzzle comprised of 540 pieces. The pieces are printed on the reverse side with numbers, so you can either assemble the puzzle by eye, or by following the numbered pieces. It comes with its own stand, so you can rotate your masterpiece once you've finished.
Make your own adorable Grogu, aka Baby Yoda, with this 72-piece puzzle ball that comes with attachable ears to make the puzzle truly 3D. You can either assemble by eye or using the numbers on the reverse side.
Winter is coming with this 3D puzzle of Game of Thrones' Winterfell, aka the capital of the Kingdom of the North and the seat and the ancestral home of the royal House Stark. It comes with 910 pieces and once completed, you won't be able to stop admiring your masterpiece, which is just as foreboding as the real thing.
Calling all Potterheads –create your very own Hogwarts Castle with this 3D puzzle which comes with 197 pieces. The castle can be easily assembled without the need for scissors, just pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes and follow the easy-to-use instruction.
Add to your Harry Potter castle with Hedwig, formerly Hagrid's female snowy owl. The puzzle comes 112 pieces and can be assembled without the use of scissors.
Educational and entertaining (particularly for all those aspiring astronomers out there) learn all about the solar system while constructing it with this 522 piece 3D puzzle.
The 3D puzzles are scaled to represent the different sizes of the planets, so Saturn and Jupiter are represented as 108pc puzzles, Uranus and Neptune as 72pc, Earth and Venus as 54pc and Mars and Mercury as 27pc puzzles.
Get into the festive spirit with this 3D gingerbread house, which is constructed with 216 pieces. The puzzle lights up and also comes with a printed base board so it can serve a decorative purpose when you get the Christmas decorations out this year.
Looking for a challenge to really invest in, perhaps during the Christmas break? Then this 1000 piece £D train puzzle is a great option. Made from high-quality, sustainable wood.
Make your very own iconic London landmark with this 3D puzzle of Tower Bridge. Either assemble your building by eye using the printed design representing the stonework, or refer to the reference numbers printed on the reverse side of the pieces.
This striking Colosseum lights up at night due to its built-in lighting, with several modes to choose from: dim white or alternate colours.
Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.
Best family board games to buy now
Where kids can eat for free or £1
18 best pool toys for kids
17 brilliant garden games for kids
What to write in a wedding card
Brilliant outdoor toys for kids
IKEA's new pet collection will brighten your home
25 Easter egg alternatives for kids
13 best piñatas for parties
Best Easter egg hunt kits
How to put together a baby hamper
Party bag ideas for kids
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
3d Rainbow Sphere Jigsaw Puzzle ©2024 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England. All Rights Reserved.