Photos of puzzle types – jigsaw, block, burr, string, nail
Types of Puzzles at Amaze 'n' Place

The best known type of puzzle is the jigsaw.
They come in a huge range of styles, difficulty and quality.
The normal jigsaw is a test of patience and observation – the main variation is in the level of difficulty. The difficulty has been increased mostly by the number of pieces but more recently, by other devious innovations.  See our stock for some of these variations such a double sided, no edge pieces (all have knobs on them), all pieces are like edge pieces (each piece has one straight side), photomosaics and other variations.
Most other puzzles exploit spatial and assembly skills – whether they are string, wooden (including burr puzzles), wire (including nails) or other metal puzzles. 
Most puzzles are about finding the solution and, depending on the complexity, memorising the method.  A puzzle may be difficult to find the solution to but once discovered it can be reproduced very easily.  This is true of some of the traditional nail puzzles.  The satisfaction is then in stumping your friends and family and demonstrating your skill at being able to do them.
Other puzzles need a sequence of moves to solve and these are ones that can be revisited while trying to memorise the solution or visited at a later time to rediscover the solution.  Some of the Hanayama series fit into this category.  Also puzzles such as The Tower of Hanoi & Patience puzzles
Some of the assembly puzzles have many pieces and are not able to be memorised easily, so they can be tackled over
and over again.  These include the Lonpos and the Bedlam Cube.  The Soma cube is similar but a little simpler.  However, after making the cube you can then attempt to make many other shapes.  This is also true of the traditional Tangram puzzle.
Games also vary in difficulty and age suitability.  The gift shop range at Amaze ‘n’ Place is predominately logic games which are not only enjoyable and challenging but also educational, which increase thinking and deductive skills.  Most start at a relatively simple level, and have other challenges of increasing difficulty.  Many of the later levels in the games are quite difficult but, by working through the preceding levels, you gain the skill and training to complete the tasks.  The themes help to keep the participant’s interest.

Most puzzles are designed to look good on a coffee table, desk, bookshelf or display cabinet.
This makes them an ideal gift for most people – even if they are not good at puzzles.  On display they become interesting to visitors and an intriguing conversation piece.
Many people are not interested in doing a jigsaw many times.  However, they like to look at and admire the completed puzzle – especially as many are like a work of art.  Jigsaws can be mounted and framed and special jigsaw glue is available and is ideal for making this job simple.
Another accessory for those who do jigsaws is the jigsaw roll.  You can work on your puzzle on the special felt mat and roll it up when the dining table or floor is needed.  When unrolled, you can continue from exactly where you were.  These have saved many relationships!!!