Completing jigsaw puzzles can be an incredibly satisfying and enjoyable pastime. But what happens when you finish a puzzle and want to do something other than take it apart and start over? Fortunately, there are plenty of creative ideas for repurposing your finished puzzle into something special.

In this article, we will explore various fun and unique ideas for what to do with your jigsaw puzzles once you have completed them. From turning the pieces into artwork to using them for educational purposes, the possibilities are endless.

Key Takeaways:

• Completing jigsaw puzzles can be a satisfying pastime.
• There are various creative ideas to repurpose finished puzzles.
• Options include turning the pieces into artwork, educational activities, functional items, or gifts.
• Donating or swapping finished puzzles with other enthusiasts is an option.
• The possibilities for what to do with finished puzzles are endless.

Frame and Hang Your Finished Puzzle

If you’re looking for a stunning way to display your finished puzzle, framing may be the perfect solution. Not only does it preserve your hard work, but it also creates a unique piece of wall art that you can proudly display.

Before framing, it’s essential to ensure that your puzzle is fully glued together. Use puzzle glue or mod podge to seal the pieces in place and let it dry completely. Then, carefully slide a thin piece of cardboard or foam board underneath the puzzle to add stability. You can also purchase puzzle glue sheets to attach to the back of the puzzle to make it easier to frame.

When choosing a frame, opt for one with a deep set to accommodate the thickness of the puzzle. You can also choose a frame with a mat board to further enhance the puzzle’s appearance. A simple black or white frame can provide a clean and modern look, while a more decorative frame can add a touch of elegance and sophistication.

Once you have framed your puzzle, find the perfect spot to hang it. Whether it’s in your living room, bedroom, or office, a puzzle wall art can add a unique touch to any space.

Displaying your framed puzzle can also be a conversation starter and a way to showcase your creativity. Your guests will be impressed with your unique decor and your ability to turn a puzzle into a beautiful piece of art.

Create a Puzzle Keepsake Box

After spending hours completing a jigsaw puzzle, it’s understandable that you may want to preserve it as a keepsake. One of the best ways to do this is by transforming it into a puzzle box. This not only makes for a unique storage solution but also a great gift for puzzle lovers.

Before starting, make sure you have all the necessary supplies: puzzle glue, scissors, a foam brush, and a plain wooden box in the size of your puzzle.

To begin, gently slide your completed puzzle onto a large piece of cardboard or felt, making sure not to damage any of the pieces. Apply a layer of puzzle glue to the back of the puzzle and let it dry completely. This will hold the puzzle pieces together and keep them in place.

Once the puzzle is completely dry, use your scissors to trim any excess cardboard or felt around the edges of the puzzle. Then, carefully lift the puzzle and place it on top of the wooden box. Use the foam brush to apply a thin layer of puzzle glue to the back of the puzzle and press it onto the box. Smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles as you go along.

Let the puzzle glue dry completely before moving on to the next step. Once the puzzle is firmly attached to the box, you can customize it by painting or decorating the box. To make it even more special, you can add a personalized message or design using a permanent marker or paint.

Your puzzle keepsake box is now complete! Use it to store small items like jewelry, keys or trinkets, or give it as a heartfelt gift to a loved one.

Turn Puzzles into Coasters

If you’re looking for a fun and unique DIY craft project, why not turn your completed jigsaw puzzles into beautiful coasters? This is a great way to repurpose your puzzles and create functional tableware that will impress your guests. Here are the steps to make your puzzle coasters:

1. Choose the finished puzzle that you want to use for your coasters.
2. Carefully separate the completed puzzle into individual pieces and arrange them into coaster-sized squares.
3. Glue the puzzle pieces together onto a piece of felt or cork to create a sturdy base for your coaster.
4. Once the puzzle pieces are securely glued to the base, seal them with a coat of decoupage glue or clear varnish to protect the coasters from spills and stains.
5. Allow the coasters to dry completely before using them.

These puzzle coasters make a great addition to any home and can be customized to fit your style and decor. You can mix and match different puzzle designs to create a set of coasters that is unique and eye-catching.

Get creative and try out different puzzle patterns and color combinations to design a set of coasters that will wow your guests. These puzzle coasters also make great gifts for puzzle enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates handmade crafts.

Design Your Own Puzzle Artwork

If you’re feeling creative, why not turn your completed puzzle into a personalized masterpiece? There are several ways you can transform your puzzle pieces into unique works of art.

One approach is to paint or color your puzzle pieces to create a custom design. Consider using acrylic paints or markers to add vibrant colors or intricate patterns to your puzzle pieces. You can use stencils or freehand designs to create a truly personalized piece of artwork.

Another option is to arrange your puzzle pieces into a specific design or image. You can use puzzle glue to hold the pieces together and create a cohesive artwork. Consider framing your finished puzzle artwork and displaying it as a unique wall decoration.

“Being creative is not a hobby, it’s a way of life.”

Personalized Art

Personalized art is a great way to add a unique touch to your home decor or give a thoughtful gift to a friend or family member. Creating artwork from your completed puzzle is a fun and rewarding way to exercise your creativity and showcase your puzzle-solving skills.

Create Puzzle Exchanges and Donations for a Fun Puzzle Community

If you’re looking for ways to give your finished puzzles a new life, consider joining a puzzle community. There are many online groups and local clubs that organize puzzle exchanges and donations, allowing you to trade or give away your completed puzzles.

A puzzle exchange is a great way to swap puzzles with other enthusiasts. You can connect with other puzzle lovers, exchange puzzles, and try out new designs and brands. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to socialize and make new friends who share your passion for puzzles.

If you’re feeling generous, you can also donate your finished puzzles to charity organizations, libraries, nursing homes, or schools. Puzzle therapy and educational puzzle games are gaining popularity as effective tools for improving cognitive skills and reducing stress.

Here are some tips on how to get started:

Tips	Details
Join online puzzle exchange groups	Search for puzzle exchange groups on social media platforms or puzzle-related forums. Join clubs or groups that match your preferences based on puzzle types, brands, or difficulty levels.
Contact your local puzzle club	Check for local puzzle clubs or groups in your area. You can find listings on community centers, libraries, or social media. Contact the organizer to inquire about puzzle exchanges or donations.
Donate your puzzles to charity organizations	Research local nursing homes, hospitals, schools, or libraries that accept puzzle donations. You can also check for national organizations that collect puzzles for a good cause.

Joining a puzzle community or donating your puzzles can be a rewarding experience. You can share your love for puzzles, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to a good cause. Get involved and make a difference in the puzzle community!

Create Puzzle Jewelry

Are you looking for a unique accessory to jazz up your outfits? Why not turn your finished puzzle pieces into DIY puzzle jewelry! This is a fun and creative way to repurpose your puzzles and make something beautiful and unique.

Puzzle jewelry are perfect for:

• Adding a pop of color to your outfit
• Making handmade gifts for friends and family
• Creating one-of-a-kind accessories for a special occasion

To get started, you will need:

• Your completed puzzle
• Glue
• Small eye screws or bails
• Jewelry findings (e.g. earring hooks, chains, jump rings)
• Jewelry pliers
• Paints or markers (optional)

Here’s how to make a puzzle pendant necklace:

Step	Description	Image
1	Choose a section of your completed puzzle that you want to turn into a pendant.
2	Spread glue over the back of the puzzle piece, making sure to cover the edges.
3	Attach a small eye screw or bail to the back of the puzzle piece using glue.
4	Let the glue dry according to the instructions provided on the label.
5	Attach the pendant to a chain or leather cord using jump rings.
6	Enjoy your new puzzle pendant necklace!

Experiment with different puzzle pieces to create matching earrings, bracelets, or keychains. You can also try painting or coloring the puzzle pieces before attaching the eye screws for a more personalized touch.

Puzzle jewelry makes a great handmade gift for puzzle enthusiasts or anyone who loves unique accessories. Get creative and have fun!

Create Puzzle Artwork Collages

If you have completed multiple jigsaw puzzles and are looking for a unique and visually appealing way to display them, consider creating a puzzle artwork collage. This technique involves combining different puzzle pieces to create a mosaic-like image, adding a touch of color and texture to your walls.

To get started, you will need a selection of completed jigsaw puzzles, a large piece of cardboard or foam board, and some adhesive or glue. Begin by choosing a theme or color scheme for your collage. You could opt for a nature theme, using puzzle pieces depicting landscapes, animals, and plants. Alternatively, you could create an abstract design using brightly colored puzzle pieces.

Once you have your theme in mind, start selecting and arranging the puzzle pieces on your cardboard or foam board. Mix and match different pieces to create a visually interesting pattern. You can choose to leave small gaps between the pieces to add to the mosaic effect.

Once you have arranged your pieces in the desired pattern, it’s time to glue them down. Use a strong adhesive, such as a glue gun or craft glue, to secure the pieces to the cardboard or foam board.

To ensure that the artwork lasts, you may want to consider framing it. A simple black frame can help to set off the colors of the puzzle pieces and give the artwork a finished look.

Puzzle artwork collages are a great way to add a personal touch to your home decor. They are also a fun and creative way to repurpose completed jigsaw puzzles. Whether you choose to create a simple, abstract design or a more complex image, the possibilities are endless.

Use Puzzles for Educational Purposes

Completed jigsaw puzzles can be an excellent tool for engaging kids in fun and interactive learning activities. With a bit of creativity, you can repurpose your finished puzzles into educational games, teaching aids, and much more.

One simple idea is to use individual puzzle pieces to teach various concepts, such as shapes, colors, letters, and numbers. You can use the pieces to create fun and engaging activities, such as matching, sorting, and counting games.

Another option is to create a puzzle scavenger hunt, where children have to solve clues or riddles to find individual puzzle pieces hidden around the house or classroom. This can be a great way to boost problem-solving skills and critical thinking.

You can also use completed puzzles as a basis for creating learning activities and games. For example, you can create a board game where players have to answer questions or solve problems related to the puzzle to advance.

Below is a table with a few ideas on how to use completed puzzles for educational purposes:

Activity	Description
Puzzle Scavenger Hunt	Create a scavenger hunt where kids have to find hidden puzzle pieces around the house or classroom.
Matching Games	Use puzzle pieces to teach kids about shapes, colors, letters, and numbers by creating fun matching games.
Learning Board Game	Create a board game where players have to solve problems related to the puzzle to advance.
Puzzle Art Projects	Encourage creative expression by using puzzle pieces to create unique artwork and crafts.

By repurposing your completed puzzles for educational purposes, you can engage kids in fun and interactive learning activities that will spark their curiosity and creativity.

Gift Your Completed Puzzles

Completed puzzles make excellent and thoughtful presents for your loved ones. With a little creativity, you can turn them into unique handmade crafts that will be cherished for years to come. Here are some ideas:

Create a Puzzle Shadow Box

Frame your finished puzzle in a shadow box for a stunning and personalized gift. Choose a box size that fits your puzzle, and add decorative elements such as stickers or personal notes to create a beautiful and thoughtful display.

Make a Puzzle Photo Frame

Transform your puzzle into a photo frame by gluing a favorite picture onto the finished puzzle and cutting it to the appropriate shape. This is a perfect gift for weddings, anniversaries, or any special occasion.

Design Puzzle Magnets

Creating puzzle magnets is an easy and fun way to repurpose your jigsaw puzzles. Simply glue the puzzle pieces onto small magnetic disks and decorate them with paint or marker. These cute and functional magnets are perfect for holding notes or photos on the fridge.

Create a Puzzle Gift Basket

Gather several completed puzzles of various sizes and designs and arrange them in a gift basket with other puzzle-related items such as puzzle books or snacks. This is a perfect gift for the puzzle enthusiast in your life.

Offer a Custom Puzzle

If you’re feeling ambitious, consider creating a custom puzzle from scratch. Print a personal photo onto puzzle board or draw your own design and cut it into pieces. This is a truly unique and special gift that will be treasured for years to come.

Whatever option you choose, your handmade puzzle gift is sure to be appreciated and cherished. These thoughtful presents are a testament to your creativity and show your loved ones how much you care.

Conclusion

The possibilities for what to do with your jigsaw puzzles once you finish them are endless. Whether you choose to frame them as wall art, create a keepsake box, or make them into coasters or jewelry, the end result will be a unique and personalized item that you can be proud of.

If you enjoy working with puzzles, consider sharing them with others by donating or swapping them with other puzzle enthusiasts. You can also use them for educational purposes, creating learning games or using individual puzzle pieces for various activities.

No matter what you choose to do with your finished puzzles, the process of creating something new and exciting is always a fulfilling experience. So get creative and enjoy the satisfaction of transforming your jigsaw puzzles into something special.