9 monster puzzles that will keep you busy until spring
13.10.2022
Translation: Christine Duranza
Large puzzles can take weeks or even months to complete. Are you up for the ultimate challenge in perseverance? If so, these nine puzzles are ready and waiting.
In 1766, when the English engraver John Spilsbury pasted a map onto a piece of wood and cut out the various British counties, he was unaware that he had just invented something great: the jigsaw puzzle. Until the beginning of the 20th century, such puzzles were made exclusively by hand and used mainly for school lessons. When their mass production began and games became cheaper, the popularity of puzzles increased. Puzzles remain a popular pastime even today.
Because once you’ve been bitten by the puzzle bug, it’s hard to stop that itch. You can’t help but crave puzzles with rather unusual motifs and with even more pieces. After all, it’s all about challenging yourself with harder and harder puzzles. Which eventually brings you to the really big ones, that take several months to finish.
When it comes to monster puzzles, the selection is limited because there are only a handful of manufacturers that make them. Clementoni, Ravensburger, and Educa are three in particular – I’ve picked out nine of their most challenging puzzles for you to choose from.
Challenging but doable
This category includes puzzles with around 10,000 pieces, i.e. an ambitious but not overly ambitious undertaking. If you already have some experience with puzzles under your belt and are looking for a new challenge, here are a few possible contenders to fill up those long winter nights. Maybe one of these three is right for you. The first is Ravensburger’s Disney Museum, which showcases various Disney characters through their wall-hung portraits. The second is from Educa and highlights one of Hieronymus Bosch’s most famous paintings: the Garden of Earthly Delights. The third is from Clementoni and a motif of the famous Brooklyn Bridge and the New York skyline behind.
For the really, really ambitious
Maybe you’re not into the large puzzle beginner category or have already been there, done that? Are you ready for the next level of puzzle mania? Then on to the approx. 30,000-piece puzzle category. If you’re opting for one of these puzzles, you’ll need to think carefully (preferably before you get started) about where in your home you’ll have enough space for it – you’re going to need it. And for quite a while. I’ve also selected three potential puzzles for you in this category. The first is from Ravensburger and portrays an immense and incredibly intricate bookshelf. Its vibrant mix of colours and shapes will almost certainly push you to your limits. The second puzzle, from Educa, displays a landscape bursting with activity, from the sea teeming with life to the shore’s animal kingdom. A wind-blown sky fills sails and sends hot air balloons drifting upwards toward a planet-strewn cosmos. The third puzzle, again from Educa, portrays a jungle brimming with animal life, lush vegetation and a cascading waterfall. This one’s my personal fav.
Hardcore!
Are you looking for the ultimate challenge? These puzzles go beyond anything you’ve ever seen before. All three consist of more than 40,000 pieces each, making them among the largest puzzles you can buy today anywhere. You’ll definitely need a lot of space for these. Probably an entire room, because these lovelies take up an area of 12 to 13 square meters when completed.
There are few manufacturers that offer puzzles this large at all, so you’ll have to take what’s available. At Galaxus, we have three of these monster puzzles to choose from. The first is from Ravensburger and combines ten Mickey Mouse motifs. The second, also from Ravensburger, displays images of well-known Disney characters such as Snow White, Dumbo, Mogli, and Bambi, to name a few. The third and largest puzzle is Educa’s «Around the world», displaying landmarks from the four corners of the globe. At 42,000 pieces, it’s the fifth largest puzzle ever produced commercially – the world’s largest is «Travel around Art» by Grafika, with a whopping 52,000 pieces. If you dare to tackle this specimen, you deserve the utmost respect.
Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.