A collaborative jigsaw puzzle—what a great idea! In this age of individualism, solving a puzzle together brings people together. But that's not all. Cooperative puzzles offer other benefits: they promote cooperation, develop team spirit, and simply encourage communication. This unifying pastime requires few resources: a table and, of course, a puzzle! Easy to set up, it's a great way to strengthen social bonds without resorting to screens. And it can be enjoyed in many settings, such as workplaces, schools, and communities. At last, an activity that encourages interaction and truly reconnects people!
Cooperative Jigsaw Puzzles: Team Building Made Easy
Well-being at work has become a major concern for companies. Not only to protect their employees from psychosocial risks, but also to improve productivity. According to a study by the University of Warwick, the productivity of happy employees increases by 12%!
This rather compelling argument is prompting more and more companies to incorporate recreational or relaxing activities into their daily work routines. Beyond the relaxation rooms, yoga classes, and swimming pools that have sprung up in the common areas of large companies, the focus is now on slow working and team-building activities.
But these collaborative corporate activities —such as escape rooms or sports tournaments—are one-time events and come with certain organizational challenges. A cooperative activity like a jigsaw puzzle is much easier to set up! As a true gathering point, it provides the perfect opportunity to connect, enjoy an informal moment together, and foster a sense of team spirit. Working together on a simple puzzle—what more could you ask for?
👉 Related reading: Jigsaw Puzzles, the Ideal Way to De-Stress
Collaborative Jigsaw Puzzles at School
Cooperative games have become increasingly popular in schools in recent years. They promote solidarity by emphasizing collaboration rather than competition. No one is left behind: everyone wins or loses together.
Learning to work together by doing a jigsaw puzzle? That’s the positive experience group puzzles offer. Students must help one another to achieve a common goal: solving the puzzle. They share ideas and problem-solving strategies and encourage one another. Cooperation, empathy, communication, concentration—it’s the perfect activity!
These puzzle games can also be set up outside the classroom. In some school libraries, they’ve already made an appearance. And why not in the teachers’ lounge? The adults at school deserve a puzzle break to relieve some stress, too!
A Cooperative Puzzle Activity for the Whole Family
There's nothing like playing board games with our children to strengthen family bonds. We know that, but... who really wants to play Snakes and Ladders after a hard day's work? Or worse, play tea party! No, we know that the perfect parent doesn't exist!
So yes, our motivation as parents is often put to the test. This is especially true on rainy weekends, when the same question keeps coming up: What can we do when it’s raining? So rather than putting them in front of a screen, challenge them to solve a complex puzzle together. It’s a family project where everyone can work together—even the youngest kids can help by sorting the pieces by color.
In addition to being fun, this type of stress-relieving activity promotes calm and encourages conversation. An original gift for Mother’s or Father’s Day, it offers a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with the family. And since it’s a cross-generational activity, grandparents can join in too. Do you ever get bored during Sunday dinners? Well, get puzzling!
👉 Related reading: What to Do When You're Bored
A Participatory Jigsaw Puzzle in Libraries
Libraries have started setting up participatory jigsaw puzzles, which have been a huge success. The activity is open to everyone, and each user is invited to contribute to this collective work. You can choose to add a piece as you pass by or spend several hours working on it.
This activity encourages socializing and creates an environment conducive to chance encounters. At Jour Férié, we design our creations based on poetic illustrations inspired by everyday life that invite people to share their stories. A genuine face-to-face experience—far more rewarding than virtual interactions on social media!
Setting up a space for group jigsaw puzzles also helps revive this pastime, which some consider outdated. And above all, it allows people to rediscover its many benefits. This could even lead to the creation of a puzzle library for dissectologists—those who are passionate about puzzles.
👉 Related reading: The Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles for Adults
A Fun Activity for Waiting Rooms
Group puzzles are an innovative way to pass the time. Nowadays, we all have our eyes glued to our phones when we have to wait. No one looks at each other or talks to each other... And this happens everywhere: at the doctor's office, in train stations and airports, in hospitals, and in any reception area.
So, what better way to start a conversation than by sharing a fun activity? Putting a few pieces together keeps you busy and encourages social interaction. The atmosphere becomes friendlier, and waiting becomes less stressful.
👉 Related reading: How to Stay Entertained Without a Screen
The collaborative puzzle is a unifying activity that can be enjoyed in many different settings. It provides a respite from our hectic lives, while promoting social bonding. It could even be therapeutic! So, when will it be introduced in children's homes, retirement homes, or even prisons?
Source : Happiness and productivity - WRAP: Warwick Research Archive Portal
Take a Dip - 1,000-Piece Puzzle
Tapas Night - 1,000-piece puzzle
