Do you play jigsaw puzzles when you leave the house? Traveling can be both exciting and a little bit tedious, especially when you’re stuck on a plane for several hours or waiting for a delayed flight. As a seasoned traveler and jigsaw puzzle enthusiast, I’ve found a delightful way to make these waiting periods fly by taking time to play jigsaw puzzles!
Do You play jigsaw puzzles when you are traveling?
Jigsaw puzzles aren’t just for the living room table. To play jigsaw puzzles you can go anywhere! Puzzles can be a fantastic travel companion, especially for those long plane rides or extended airport waits.
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Why to Play Jigsaw Puzzles When Travelling
Jigsaw puzzles make such excellent travel companions. They can be packed in your bags, be in your overhead baggage and even be in the carry on bag. I’ve even had a jigsaw puzzle in my hand as I’ve walked up the jetway to the plane. While I can be a little obsessive when it comes to speed puzzling, I still love assembling a relaxing puzzle when I’m in the sky.
Smaller Puzzles Can Be Perfect
Many jigsaw puzzles come in small, travel-friendly sizes. A 100-piece puzzle is perfect because it’s challenging enough to keep you engaged but small enough to fit in your carry-on bag. A 500-piece puzzle is also possible, especially if you consider a long layover.
Put Away the Cell Phone, We’ve Got a Jigsaw Puzzle
I love that there is no need for screens. You can only watch so many videos, text with your friends and share details on social media. In an age where we’re constantly staring at screens, jigsaw puzzles offer a refreshing break. They allow you to unplug and engage your mind in a different way.
Play Jigsaw Puzzles and See Time Fly
Whether you’re on a five-hour flight or waiting for your connecting flight, working on a puzzle makes the time pass quickly. You could even find yourself relaxing a little bit too. Before you know it, you’ll be at your destination.
Puzzles Can be Social and Fun in a Weird Place
Puzzles can be a solo activity, but they can also spark conversations with fellow travelers. It’s a great icebreaker and can lead to interesting chats. I’ve been approached a number of times when playing a puzzle in the airport and strangers have become friends.
Jigsaw Puzzles in the Airport
Airports can be a bit of a bore. Add those elements you can’t control: weather, mechanical issues and even missing a flight (which maybe you could have controlled.) Or if you have a long layover and know there will be time when you are just waiting. That’s when you should play jigsaw puzzles. Instead of scrolling endlessly through your phone or reading the same magazine for the third time, why not break out a puzzle?
Personal Story: The 5-Hour Layover
One memorable experience was during a layover at Chicago O’Hare Airport. I had five hours to kill and wasn’t looking forward to it. I found a quiet corner in the terminal, pulled out a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle depicting a vibrant cityscape, and got to work. This jigsaw puzzle I bought as a souvenir to play sometime in the future, I just didn’t know it was going to be in the near future.
Not only did the time fly by, but I also attracted a few curious onlookers. One lady, who was traveling with her teenage son, stopped by to watch. They ended up joining me, and we spent the next couple of hours chatting and piecing the puzzle together. By the time we were done, we had made new friends, and the layover felt like a breeze.
Tips for Playing Jigsaw Puzzles at the Airport
- Find a Quiet Spot: Look for a corner or an area with less foot traffic. This way, you can spread out without worrying about losing pieces or being in the way.
- Use a Puzzle Mat: A roll-up puzzle mat can be a lifesaver. It keeps all the pieces in one place and makes it easy to pack up quickly if you need to move.
- Engage Fellow Travelers: Don’t be shy! Puzzles can be a great way to meet new people and make the wait more enjoyable.
Puzzling on the Airplane
Now, I love playing at the airport, but the real puzzling experience is when you take to the skies. Working on a puzzle on a plane might seem a bit tricky, but with a few adjustments, it can be a lot of fun. I have no doubt this is one place that people would love to be distracted as you move across the sky.
Personal Story: The Cross-Country Flight
On a cross-country flight from New York to Los Angeles, I decided to test out my puzzling skills at 30,000 feet. I packed a 300-piece puzzle with a beautiful sunset scene. Once we were in the air and the seatbelt sign was off, I set up my tray table to play jigsaw puzzles and got to work.
The tray table was just the right size for my puzzle mat, and the steady hum of the plane was surprisingly soothing. I noticed the passenger next to me glancing over, clearly intrigued.
We struck up a conversation, and soon enough, he was helping me find edge pieces. It turned out he was also a puzzle enthusiast, and we spent the rest of the flight chatting about our favorite puzzles and travel destinations.
Tips for In-Flight Puzzling
- Choose the Right Puzzle Size: A 100-piece, 200-piece, and 350-piece puzzle is ideal. It’s small enough to fit on the tray table but still provides enough challenge to keep you engaged.
- Pack a Puzzle Mat: A puzzle mat not only keeps your pieces in place but also makes it easy to roll up and stow away if you need to take a break. Or hit a bump or two!
- Secure Loose Pieces: Airplane turbulence can be a puzzle’s worst enemy. Keep a small container or plastic bag handy for storing loose pieces. It will happen. Just be ready.
- Be Courteous to Your Seatmate: If you’re traveling with someone, make sure your puzzle isn’t in their area. Don’t be surprised if they want to join. It can be a fun bonding activity, but you don’t want to invade their space.
Portable Puzzles for Travel
When it comes to travel-friendly puzzles, there are plenty of options available. What is important is that you are comfortable in the puzzles you play. Of course, you need to be OK with possibly dropping a puzzle piece by accident. Here are a few of my favorite types:
- Mini Puzzles: These are small, usually around 100 pieces, and come in compact boxes. They’re perfect for travel because they don’t take up much space. If you want to take the puzzle out of the box, it’s sealed in a plastic bag so it’s easy to do.
- Puzzle Roll-Up Mats: These mats are designed to keep your puzzle intact, even if you need to move it. They’re great for airports and airplanes. The smaller size allows you to roll up the mat and keep all the pieces right where they need to be so you can play later.
- Magnetic Puzzles: These puzzles are fantastic for travel because the pieces stick to the board, reducing the risk of losing any. They’re especially good for planes and cars. The magnetic puzzles are rather expensive so keep that in mind.
Making Puzzles a Travel Tradition
Integrating puzzles into your travel routine can make each trip more memorable and enjoyable. For my family, it becomes a fun tradition. Now all my family members look forward to play jigsaw puzzles and it’s a great way to capture a bit of the journey. They are even excited to pick out the jigsaw puzzles so it’s a personal part of the vacation.
Personal Story: Family Vacation Puzzles
Every year, my family and I take a vacation to a new destination. We started bringing along puzzles to work on during travel downtime, and it quickly became a cherished tradition. On a trip to Italy, we brought a puzzle of the Colosseum, which we completed while waiting at the airport and during the flight. Each piece reminded us of the sights we were about to see, adding to the excitement.
Now, wherever we go, we pick a puzzle that represents our destination. It’s a fun way to connect with the place we’re visiting, and we often leave a completed puzzle with a note in the hotel room for the next guests to enjoy.
Tips for Starting Your Own Travel Puzzle Tradition
- Choose Destination-Themed Puzzles: Pick puzzles that represent the place you’re visiting. It adds an extra layer of connection and excitement to the trip.
- Document Your Progress: Take photos of your puzzle progress at different stages of your journey. It’s a fun way to document your travels. And your puzzle friends on social media will love to keep an eye on your puzzle assembling.
- Leave a Puzzle Behind: If you complete a puzzle during your trip, consider leaving it behind for someone else to enjoy. It’s a small gesture that can bring joy to other travelers. Plus, it’s probably going to open up some space for a new jigsaw puzzle to play when you get home.
Conclusion
Traveling with jigsaw puzzles has transformed my travel experiences, turning mundane waiting times into moments of creativity and connection. Whether you’re waiting at the airport or cruising at 30,000 feet, it’s fun to play jigsaw puzzles can make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.
So next time you pack your bags, don’t forget to include a 100-piece puzzle. It’s compact, portable, and brings a touch of home wherever you go. Happy puzzling and safe travels!
