A 500 piece puzzle may sound like a challenge, but in fact, these puzzles are easy to finish in a single day and are still stimulating enough to challenge regular puzzlers. But critical factors such as available surface space and time expected to spend are essential to consider when sizing up your next puzzle investment.
A 500 piece puzzle usually measures about 18 inches by 24 inches, though the shape and size of a particular puzzle vary based on the manufacturer and design.
Puzzle Sizes
When it comes to puzzle sizes, most puzzle sellers and retailers will provide the dimensions of a given puzzle on the box and on the website listing. Sort a given product page by 500 piece options, and you’ll be able to estimate the rough size of a given product visually.
Different puzzle brands will produce different shapes and sizes of 500 piece options, and there’s no standardized size among puzzles of certain piece counts. All in all, it’s important to read the label and understand the size of the surface you’re working with before making a purchase.
SHOP DOG JIGSAW PUZZLES
Why Choose a 500 Piece Puzzle?
A 500 piece puzzle set is one of the most commonly selected sizes, especially among beginners or younger players. They’re typically large enough to engage puzzlers for many hours yet not so daunting or challenging that they fit unfinished for weeks on end.
There are smaller (100 piece) and larger (2000-4000+ piece) options available, but 500 pieces represent a happy medium that will bring beginners and more seasoned players alike hours of enjoyment.
Choosing the right work area
When selecting a 500 piece puzzle, it’s important to ensure you have enough open surface space to support all sides of your jigsaw puzzle. It’s also a good idea to have enough room for half of the puzzle’s box, which makes for a handy sorting tray to organize pieces by color, sides or corners, or other distinctions.
Accessories like puzzle mats also make for handy tools along one’s puzzle journey. Sorting trays, a well-lit space, and even puzzle adhesive surfaces (to prevent flyaway parts) can make a 500-piece puzzle even more enjoyable.
How Long Does it Take?
The solving time for an average 500 piece puzzle ranges 2-7 hours, with most puzzlers taking about 4 hours to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an 8-year-old do a 500 piece puzzle?
A 500 piece puzzle may be slightly more challenging for an eight-year-old child, but determined children may find hours of fun in a 500 piece jigsaw, depending on their development. They’re just old enough, whereas kids ages 6-7 may better enjoy a puzzle with about 100-150 pieces.
Are jigsaw puzzles good for your brain?
Jigsaw puzzles are an excellent way to exercise your brain’s ability to focus, hone attention, and improve concentration. Puzzle-solving also requires analytical thinking and logical reasoning as you determine which pieces go where among a whole picture.
