Tablets, phones, and computers offer a seemingly endless amount of entertaining puzzle games to keep children entertained but nothing can replace the feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing actual, tactile puzzles. Fun 3D puzzles for kids offer not only mental stimulation but also give children the opportunity to work with something hands-on, in the real world rather than the tiny virtual world that exists in their devices.
The puzzles they complete on their tablet will disappear with the swipe of a finger, but a 3D puzzle remains. A reminder for kids that with a little time, work, thought, and patience they can solve a puzzling dilemma or build a real world object that they can hold in their hands or put on a shelf to admire. And if they so desire, they can solve that puzzle over and over again.
Fun 3D Puzzles for Kids
 | ThinkFun Block By Block | Check price at |
 | Melissa And Doug 3D Puzzle Kits Set | Check price at |
 | Castle 3D Jigsaw Puzzle – 890-Piece | Check price at |
 | Velociraptor Dinosaur 3D Construction Kit Lowest Price | Check price at |
 | 3D The Earth Puzzleball – 540 Piece | Check price at |
 | 3D Taj Mahal Puzzle – 950 Piece | Check price at |
 | Gearball Brainteaser Puzzle | Check price at |
1. Perplexus Epic
The Perplexus Epic puzzle sphere has no loose pieces, making it perfect for travel. It’s a simple, entertaining, yet challenging game requiring hand-eye coordination and spatial reasoning to solve the puzzle. It’s perfect for keeping them entertained in the car where the bumps and stops add more challenge to the game. Use it as a replacement for the tablet or other screens. This has worked wonders for me before. It’s also been fun to have when you are carpooling with kids. They take turns and it makes their trip home fly by!
2. ThinkFun Block By Block
One of the more creative 3D puzzles for kids, the ThinkFun Block By Block is a simple, portable, and fun 3D brain teaser puzzle. Draw a card and and use the five pieces to construct the structure on the card. The cards include hints and solutions in case your child gets stuck. Hours of tactile fun, problem solving, and architectural skill building! The whole family will love it, not just the kids!
3. Melissa And Doug 3D Puzzle Kits Set
Combine a 3D puzzle building with adventure when assembling the Melissa and Doug Puzzle Kits Set. Each puzzle consists of 100 cardboard puzzle pieces shaped and coded to make a multi-level playset.
The pirate ship 3D puzzle includes a desert island and rowboat to sneak away with the loot to stay way in the treasure chest. Three masts with sails and rolling cannons ensure the pirates’ safe getaway, and like any pirate ship, there is a parrot.
A moving drawbridge, cannons, and a secret opening in the wall for the castle 3D puzzle ensure a good defense against pirates and other enemies. A trap door and a dragon add to the mystery of the castle.
The pirate ship dimensions are 21 x 16 x 5.25 inches, and the medieval castle dimensions are 17 x 8 12.25 inches. Kids from 4-years old may have great fun in assembling the 3D puzzles.
4. Castle 3D Jigsaw Puzzle – 890-Piece
The Neuschwanstein Castle 3D Jigsaw Puzzle, 890-Piece, when completed, is a beautiful rendering of the nineteenth-century Romanesque Revival palace in Bavaria, Germany. It’s a history lesson as well as one of the more challenging 3D puzzles for kids, designed for older children (12-15 years). The multiple buildings, turrets, strange little architectural details that never fail to interest makes castles an ideal subject matter for a 3D puzzle.
5. Velociraptor Dinosaur 3D Construction Kit
With the release of Jurassic World, dinosaurs are back in style. This Velociraptor Dinosaur 3D Woodcraft Construction Kit reminds me of a similar 3D puzzle I had on my own shelf as a kid. I think I had the T-Rex. It’s a 47 piece puzzle and though the manufacturers recommend ages 8+, with help from an adult it could be fun for younger dinosaur enthusiasts. A great “starter” puzzle with a lower price point than some of the larger architectural puzzles. I lreally like that it’s unpainted, so kids can use their imagination to paint it themselves.
6. 3D The Earth Puzzleball – 540 Piece
The Ravensburger 3D The Earth Puzzleball is a globe, just more fun! The 540 curved jigsaw pieces come together to form a full-color globe, and the stand is included for display. The pieces are numbered to help with assembling the puzzle or try without for more of a challenge. The Ravensburger brand is well known for its quality and durability and you won’t be disappointed. Plus, you and your kids may learn a little about world geography too!
7. Sciencewiz Cool Circuits
A cool 3D puzzle game for kids, Sciencewiz Cool Circuits challenges the player to combine 3D fluorescent to complete a circuit and light up the board. Draw a card a solve the puzzle. Includes a solution book in case your kids (or you!) get stuck. Exercises spatial reasoning and abstract thinking. It may seem easy but as you get further into the puzzle it gets more challenging. You might even get a little obsessed too!
8. 3D Taj Mahal Puzzle – 950 Piece
A puzzle version of an Indian architectural masterpiece, WREBBIT 3D Taj Mahal Puzzle, 950-Piece is one of the most challenging and fun 3D puzzles for kids ages 12–15 years. The pieces are foam-backed and the finished product is a very cool and durable display piece. This is one piece of work that you won’t mind showing off afterward!
9. IQ Fit
The IQ Fit is a fun and travel-friendly brain teaser puzzle game. Children use the colored pieces to solve 120 challenging puzzles. It’s recommended for kids 6 and up. All the pieces sit nicely on the lid when they’re in use. Once finished, everything can be securely and compactly stored away which makes it great for at home fun but doubly valuable when traveling.
10. Gearball Brainteaser Puzzle
The Mefferts Gearball Brainteaser Puzzle is a much cooler than a Rubik’s cube, and though challenging, is also more solvable. It has the same simple concept: make each side/section all one color, then mix it up and do it all over again. Kids can create thier own patterns and designs as well as engage in problem-solving and thinking skills.
3D puzzles for kids are a great combination of fun and learning. Does you or your child have a favorite 3D puzzle? Share it with us in the comments below!
Feature image adapted from image courtesy of Flickr, r.nial.bradshaw.