Puzzles and Homeschool Science

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

As you may have seen in past posts, puzzles and homeschool science is a natural fit for our family. I have one more fun puzzle to share with you from Genius Games. The last puzzle is The Human Eye, which is part of the Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle Series. It provides a larger-than-life look into the anatomy of yet another human structure for your homeschool classroom. 

The Human Eye Puzzle 

This 544-piece puzzle comes in a beautiful box with a magnetic closure on the flip lid. You could easily display the box on your bookshelf as it looks like an encyclopedia spine at first glance. It was illustrated by Mesa Schumacher, a certified medical illustrator, so it is 100% medically authentic. The inside of the box contains a diagram that labels the different parts, making for a unique science lesson while working on the puzzle. 

The puzzle itself is not your typical square or rectangle, as it is the shape of the illustrated eye. It is 32 inches by 22 inches when complete and shaped similar to a comet. This cross-cut section of the eye depicts the following:

• Optic nerve
• Dural sheath
• Macula and Fovea 
• Retina
• Cillary body 
• Lens
• Cornea
• Pupil
• Iris
• And more! 

Puzzles and Homeschool Science 

While we are not currently studying human anatomy in our homeschool science lessons, puzzles like this are a great way to take a break from normal lessons and talk about something new. Of course, they will also be perfect if you ARE studying human anatomy. 

Puzzles also provide us with some valuable family time offline. As we sit around the dining room table, we can talk about the day, practice important social skills, and learn about the subject of the puzzle itself. It's a fun way to connect. (pun intended) 

My Thoughts

Personally, I found this puzzle to be easier than the heart and brain puzzles we have put together previously. The differences and variety of colors really helped in putting this puzzle together. In fact, we completed this in one evening. 

I would recommend The Human Eye puzzle to families who are interested in completing a fun and challenging puzzle. Whether you homeschool or not, this is a fun family activity. 

Other Puzzles in Our Homeschool 

• Puzzles in Our Homeschool: Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Thorax
• Anatomy Puzzle for Kids: A Review of the Dr. Livingston JR Human Body Floor Puzzle
• Puzzles are Great Fun! A Review of the Human Heart Floor Puzzle
• Puzzles as Science Resources: Doctor Livingston JR. Human Brain floor
• Teaching Homeschool Science: A Review of Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle
• Homeschooling with a Dinosaur Puzzle
• Studying Anatomy with Puzzles: Pregnant Mother Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle Review
• Piecing Your Heart Together: A Review of Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Heart

Using Your Brain: A Review of The Human Brain Anatomy Puzzle

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Puzzles! Puzzles! And more puzzles! We've shared a lot of puzzles recently, and I have a few more to share with you. This week, I would like to share Dr. Livingston's Human Brain Anatomy Puzzle from Genius Games with you. We have shared previously about the Human Brain Floor Puzzle, but this weekend, we tried our hands at the version geared towards teens and adults. Boy, was it difficult! 

This puzzle provides a cross-section of the human brain in 662 pieces. It is part of the newer series of puzzles which includes:

• The Heart
• The Brain
• The Eye
• The Hands
• The Feet
• The Head
• The Abdomen
• The Thorax
• The Arms
• The Legs 

All of these puzzles are designed by a certified medical illustrator. In this particular puzzle, you'll see a detailed interview view from the corpus callosum to the spinal cord. The puzzle is 28 inches by 25 inches, so it takes up quite a bit of room on the table. 

Just like all of the other puzzles, this one comes in a sturdy box that resembles a book that you can display beautifully on your shelves. The lid has magnets, which means it shuts closed firmly. No losing pieces! 

Our Thoughts 

This was the most difficult of the puzzles we have completed so far from Genius Games. We have completed the below puzzles, and while they were challenging, I never thought before this one: "What if we can't finish it?" 

• Puzzles in Our Homeschool: Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Thorax
• Anatomy Puzzle for Kids: A Review of the Dr. Livingston JR Human Body Floor Puzzle
• Puzzles are Great Fun! A Review of the Human Heart Floor Puzzle
• Puzzles as Science Resources: Doctor Livingston JR. Human Brain floor
• Teaching Homeschool Science: A Review of Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle
• Homeschooling with a Dinosaur Puzzle
• Studying Anatomy with Puzzles: Pregnant Mother Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle Review
• Piecing Your Heart Together: A Review of Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Heart

I'm not sure why this one was difficult. The other puzzles all had sections where the pieces were very similar in color, which added a level of difficulty. In this one, the many arteries and the depiction of the grey and white matter were the most complex parts. I felt like we easily completed the outside edge and then the eyes and spinal cord sections. But the rest? I ended up looking for specific shapes and colors to complete it one by one. 

I only have one complaint. Some of the pieces seemed to have the back peeling off of them. And while taking the puzzle apart for storage, one of the pieces had a corner that tore. All the other puzzles we've done from Genius Games have been very high quality, so I was saddened that some of these didn't fare as well during the production phase. 

Would I recommend this puzzle? Yes! Even though it was very challenging, I think many families would enjoy completing it. If your children are studying anatomy, it is the perfect puzzle to add to their homeschool or schooling lessons. It also makes for a great gift for puzzle lovers. 

 

Piecing Your Heart Together: A Review of Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Heart

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle from Genius Games in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

How do you piece your heart together? With an anatomy jigsaw puzzle from Genius Games! The Human Heart jigsaw puzzle is 100% medically accurate as it was designed by Mesa Schumacher, a certified medical illustrator. This puzzle will be a welcome addition to your homeschool science studies or your summer learning adventures. 

Genius Games has produced numerous fun puzzles that our family has enjoyed (I share other links and reviews at the end of this post). And the Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle Series contains the following puzzles: 

• The Heart
• The Brain
• The Eye
• The Hands
• The Feet
• The Head
• The Abdomen 
• The Thorax
• The Arms
• The Legs 

About This Puzzle 

The Human Heart Jigsaw Puzzle is 22 inches by 28 inches, making it one of the smaller puzzles we've completed from Genius Games of late. It has 597 pieces that focus on the "powerhouse of our cardiovascular system" – the heart. 

With this puzzle, you'll be able to see the atria and ventricles, the pulmonary vessels, and the pericardium. These parts of the heart and more are labeled on the inside of the lid. So, after you finish the puzzle, you could ask your children to label the heart that they just pieced together. This would make for a fun, hands-on way to test their anatomical knowledge.  

Our Thoughts 

While our younger children, aged 8 and 10, found the puzzle a little too difficult, our oldest (who graduated a couple years ago) found it to be just the right level of difficulty. Personally, I found it to be on par with The Thorax puzzle we reviewed several years ago. 

There were tricky parts, as it has rather large sections that are the same color, but we completed this puzzle in less time than it took us to complete the Pregnant Mother Anatomy Puzzle. Sometimes, all it took was to walk away for a break, and then we would see new connections. 

One feature I love about the puzzle is that it comes in a nice, sturdy box with a magnetic lid. The box itself can stand upright on your bookshelf. So it looks like a book. If you had the entire collection, you could place them on your homeschool science shelf, and it would look very lovely indeed. 

I would recommend Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Heart to those families who are looking to add some fun to their science lessons. Whether your children are studying anatomy or not, this puzzle provides a nice hands-on learning activity. It fosters cooperation in addition to discussions on science.

More Puzzle Reviews 

Do you want to see more from Genius Games? Check out these reviews! 

Teaching Homeschool Science: A Review of Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle

Homeschooling with a Dinosaur Puzzle

Studying Anatomy with Puzzles: Pregnant Mother Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle Review

Puzzles in Our Homeschool

Studying Anatomy with Puzzles: Pregnant Mother Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle Review

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Our family enjoys puzzles! This time, we completed the 488-piece Pregnant Mother Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle as a family. It is not your typical square or rectangle puzzle as it depicts a pregnant woman kneeling, which brings an additional but fun challenge. This unique, anatomically correct puzzle is brought to you by Genius Games. 

About the Puzzle 

When completed, the Pregnant Mother Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle two feet wide by three feet high. While the head, arms, hands, legs, and feet depict the mother from the outside, there is a cutaway of her chest, back, and abdomen so the viewer can see inside. The puzzle is conceptualized and drawn by Mesa Schumacher, a Certified Medical Illustrator. So, it is very accurate.

A small anatomical guide is included, rolled up within the box. You can use this guide/poster to learn a little bit more about a pregnant woman and her body. Or you can use it to help you put the puzzle together. It labels the different parts of the body and gives you some simple facts to share with your children.

 My Thoughts 

As usual, I was very pleased with the quality of this puzzle from Genius Games. We have reviewed several others. None of them has disappointed us. The quality of the pieces is quite good. They are sturdy pieces that will stand up to being put together more than once.

I think the puzzle is very tasteful. It depicts the mother's breast and uterus in surprising detail, allowing for the opportunity for good conversations. One thing we were able to discuss while putting the puzzle together was how the organs get compacted and moved around while the mother is pregnant. 

The puzzle took us several hours to put together. The most difficult parts were the arms, legs, and hair, as the colors were all very similar. We ended up completing the inside and outside (after finding the pieces that formed the edge) and then trying different pieces at random to see what would fit where. 

I would recommend this puzzle for families who are interested in learning more about anatomy, pregnancy, and working together. It is a quality puzzle. 

Do You Like Puzzles? 

I've reviewed several puzzles from Genius Games. If you want to learn more about them, please visit my other reviews. 

Puzzles as Science Resources: A review of the Doctor Livingston JR. Human Brain floor  

Teaching Homeschool Science: A Review of Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle

Homeschooling with a Dinosaur Puzzle

Puzzles are Great Fun! A Review of the Human Heart Floor Puzzle

 

Homeschooling with a Dinosaur Puzzle

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review and was not compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you!

During December, it is fun to incorporate learning activities that are educational and fun. There are many ways in which you can do this, including games, baking, music, and puzzles! We had the opportunity to review the Tyrannosaurus Rex Floor Puzzle courtesy of Genius Games. Working on this puzzle allowed us to focus on cooperation, critical thinking skills, and a quick introduction to a future homeschool science course. 

Homeschool Fun 

Working on puzzles such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex Floor Puzzle is great fun for our children. Our third grader and fifth grader enjoy challenging floor puzzles. This Turn N Learn Puzzle is quite challenging, as it is a 2-in-1 reversible floor puzzle. One side depicts the skeleton of the T-Rex, while the other features the T-Rex with his brown and green scales. This brings an added challenge as children must figure out which side they need to complete the puzzle. 

About the Dinosaur Puzzle 

This 100-piece puzzle is over four feet long when fully assembled. And the skeleton side glows in the dark! The pieces are rather thick and sturdy. 

The box contains a velcro closure for easy storage. And inside, you will also find a fun fact sheet about the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Please keep in mind that the information may not align with your worldview if you are a Creationist or believe in a young Earth. 

Future Homeschool Science Course 

In the New Year, our fifth grader will be taking Dinosaurs and the Bible Homeschool Course with SchoolhouseTeachers.com. This course looks at the exciting world of dinosaurs and paleontology from a Biblical perspective. Our son will be taking the new interactive course which will allow him to learn about dinosaurs and how they fit in with a young-earth creationist worldview. 

Completing this dinosaur puzzle in advance of his coursework has allowed him to ask questions about what different people believe in regard to dinosaurs, their place in science and history, and their extinction. We have even talked about how opinions regarding dinosaurs have changed from when I was a child to the publication of the novel Jurassic Park to the remakes of the books and movies. 

Our Thoughts 

This dinosaur puzzle was a hit with our children. It allowed us to work together and take a slower approach to homeschooling during December. I would recommend the Tyrannosaurus Rex Floor Puzzle to any family or school that wants to learn more about this famous terrible lizard. 

Love Puzzles 

If you love puzzles, don't forget to check out my other reviews featuring puzzles from Genius Games, including a Turn N Learn Owl puzzle and a Human Heart Floor Puzzle.

Teaching Homeschool Science: A Review of Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page for more information. Thank you.

Teaching homeschool science is such a daily joy! When we look at homeschool science curriculum and resources, there are so many great options and approaches available to us. From fun science experiments to interesting books, we can bring our homeschool science lessons to life. Another great option is floor puzzles. The Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle lets our children see both the anatomical structure of a great horned owl and the feathered view of one, as the puzzle is 2-in-1 reversible. 

About the Puzzle 

This puzzle is from Genius Games Junior, featuring 100 pieces in a unique "turn-n-learn" approach. The puzzle pieces are very sturdy. As it is reversible, you will need to look at the pieces closely to pick the right side to match up. It is over 3 feet long when completed, definitely making it suited to completion on the floor.

The box itself is sturdy with a velcro closure. Inside, there is a laminated fact sheet which provides information about the great horned owl, allowing you to easily teach homeschool science. The anatomy side is drawn by a certified medical illustrator and shows the muscles, heart, crop, and more. 

Learning About the Great Horned Owl 

This large predator is native to the Americas. We are fortunate that we can hear one from our living room on many evenings. We haven't spotted it yet, though!  Share these facts with your child as you complete the puzzle together. 

• Life span of 20-30 years.
• 19 to 35 inches big.
• Over four feet wing span. 
• Large ear-like tufts give it the name great horned owl 
• Actual ears are holes under the feathers on its head. 
• Its call is one long hoot followed by two or three shorter hoots. Listen to different calls of the great horned owl at the Audubon Guide to North American Birds. 
• They eat mostly mammals such as mice, rats, and rabbits but will eat birds and reptiles, too. 
• Both parents take care of the young.

Science Fun 

Our children and I had a lot of fun putting together the Owl Anatomy Floor Puzzle. I made sure we had all the puzzle pieces flipped the correct way, and then we got started! We completed the anatomy side first, which was a bit easier because of the break up in color with the internal organs. 

It took less than an hour to put the puzzle together. The side showing the downy exterior did take a little longer. We tested pieces based on color, shape, and size. When the entire puzzle was put together, it was beautiful. The pieces fit together so well that it didn't really look like a puzzle. 

Our daughter really loved the puzzle. She has asked to complete it again almost every day since it arrived. So, not only is it educational, but it is fun and a winner. 

I highly recommend this series of puzzles from Genius Games Junior. The company has also produced a shark and a tiger. These are perfect for teaching homeschool science or just as a fun activity. They would make great gifts for the holiday season or a birthday. 

Interested in More Puzzles 

Please check out my review of other puzzles from Genius Games! 

Puzzles as Science Resources—a look at the Doctor Livingston JR. Human Brain floor puzzle

Puzzles are Great Fun! A Review of the Human Heart Floor Puzzle—a review of the Doctor Livingston JR. Human Heart Floor Puzzle

Anatomy Puzzle for Kids: A Review of the Dr. Livingston JR Human Body Floor Puzzle—a review of the Dr. Livingston JR Human Body Floor Puzzle

Puzzles in Our Homeschool—a review of the Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Thorax

Five Fun Ideas for Homeschool Science

 

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. I received complimentary copies of the puzzles and workbooks. I was not required to share a positive review. Thank you.

For every homeschooling family, there are one or two subjects that fill them with dread. How will we teach that in our homeschool? They might say, "I'm not good at math," or "I don't like to read." Or maybe they are concerned about art because they feel like they don't have the necessary talent or materials. And what about science? How can you possibly do science experiments in your homeschool? Today, I want to share five fun ideas for your homeschool science lessons. 

Crafts 

Sometimes, homeschool science lessons come with built-in crafts and activities, and other times we are inspired by books we read. We have created multiple volcano crafts and experiments over the years, including a painting that was part of a Natural Disasters Unit Study, and created a craft that showed the process of metamorphosis in a butterfly.

It's also fun to build dioramas for the animals and habitats you are studying, craft a model solar system, or build DNA out of candy. These are some fun hands-on craft ideas that are easy to incorporate into your homeschool science lesson. And many ideas can be completed with the items you have around your house. (I am all for not having to buy anything extra to complete a craft or experiment!) 

Puzzles 

We have reviewed several really cool puzzles over the years in our homeschool that are science-themed. It is wonderful to incorporate a fun past-time into our homeschool day. Why are puzzles important to include in your homeschool science lessons? 

Puzzles provide your children (and you) with the opportunity to develop memory skills. You need to remember what the picture will look like when you are done and remember where you have previously put pieces. As you pick and choose pieces, you test your ideas and solve problems. Does this piece fit here? Do the colors and patterns match? Often when I am working with our children, I will look for shapes first and then look at colors and patterns. 

We have used a number of anatomy-themed puzzles in our homeschool, including:

• For older children try: Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Thorax
• For younger children try one of the following: 
• Dr. Livingston JR Human Body Floor Puzzle
• Dr. Livingston JR. Human Brain Floor Puzzle
• Dr. Livingston JR. Human Heart Floor Puzzle

And a really fun puzzle that depicted the periodic table of elements. I would definitely recommend the Periodic Table of the Elements Puzzle to homeschooling families whether or not your children are studying chemistry. Read my review here: Finding The Fun in Homeschooling: Adding a Puzzle into your Chemistry Course. 

Hands-On Activities and Kits 

Our daughter really thrives on hands-on activities – especially in science. She loves to get outside, collect leaves, measure water, weigh objects, etc. Whether we are using her curriculum from My Father's World to examine roses (see if I have a photo) or using unit studies from SchoolhouseTeachers.com, she learns better with these hands-on homeschool science lessons. 

If you don't know where to start, you can purchase science kits to help you get started. From growing your own crystals to dissecting an owl pellet, there are so many great options. And they make perfect gifts for homeschooling families. 

Courses, Workbooks, and Other Lesson Resources 

Where do you turn for homeschool science lessons, workbooks, and resources? I hope you have my blog bookmarked, as I have shared numerous resources over the years. And today I would like to share more ideas with you. 

Our son enjoyed studying  Astronomy with Exploring Creation with Astronomy textbook and junior notebooking journal from Apologia so much so that we are using  The Book of Astronomy Set from Memoria Press this year for his science. We will be memorizing the 15 brightest stars and looking at constellations in more depth. I can't wait to go star gazing with him! 

SchoolhouseTeachers.com Courses 

Another favorite place to look for science courses is SchoolhouseTeachers.com. 

• Charlotte Mason Preschool – This six-month preschool course doesn't need a desk! Complete age-appropriate nature studies with your preschool to learn more about the world around you. 
• Creation, Nature, and You – For kindergarten through third grade. Explore how nature can point you and your children to God as the creator. There are 11 videos that can be used alongside your regular science homeschool curriculum to reinforce topics you are already studying. 
• General Biology by Core Academy – A great look at biology for your high schooler from a Christian worldview. 

And if you are looking to supplement your homeschool science lessons with worksheets, Super Teacher Worksheets is a great option. You can search for specific topics to find pre-made worksheets or create your own crossword puzzles or other worksheets to accompany your science lessons. Read more about Super Teacher Worksheets in my review here: Printables for Your Homeschool Classroom. 

Workbooks 

Some homeschooling families shy away from workbooks and worksheets. I've seen some very passionate arguments about why one should never use a workbook or worksheet in one's homeschool. But...every child is different. Some thrive on hands-on activities and lessons while others enjoy the process of reading and writing on a piece of paper. While our daughter loves hands-on experiments, our son would often rather just complete an assignment in a workbook. He is not a big fan of getting his hands dirty. So you must make the decision that works best for your family. 

One science workbook that I reviewed combined the best of both worlds. We reviewed the second and fourth grade editions of  Science: Lessons and Investigations published by Evan-Moor courtesy of Timberdoodle recently. The workbooks contain reading and writing activities as well as hands-on crafts and projects. Our daughter has been highly enjoying it. In fact, we just made a volcano craft to go along with a poem as part of her disasters unit last night. 

Fields Trips! 

There are so many great science-themed museums families can visit. And if you don't live near them, you can visit their website to see virtual exhibits or follow them on social media as many often share videos of experiments, talks, and more. 

Here are a few museums to get you started on your field trip experiences:

• The Franklin Institute (Philadelphia) – While you are there make sure you travel through the giant heart. 
• Museum of Science (Boston) – They have livestreams so you can enjoy science at home or at the museum. 
• Smithsonian (Washington DC) – There are several different museums ranging from natural history to astronomy. Be sure to plan your day to spend lots of time touring! 
• Science Museum (London) – Stop by to see a variety of traveling exhibits as well as visit the IMAX theater for a unique movie-going experience. 

Puzzles as Science Resources

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

Thinking and Puzzle Our Way Through a Science Resource 

What is gray matter? Where is the frontal lobe? What is another name for your skull? Our children are now able to answer these questions and more after putting together the Doctor Livingston JR. Human Brain floor puzzle courtesy of Genius Games. 

We previously learned about the entire body with the Dr. Livingston JR Human Body Floor Puzzle and the human heart with the Doctor Livingston JR. Human Heart Floor Puzzle. So, now it is time for the human brain. With the 100-piece puzzle and the anatomy guide, our nine and seven-year-old children learned about neurons, the cranium, the facial bones, the eyes, and more. 

When completed the human brain floor puzzle is 28 inches by 25 inches and depicts a cross-section of the head at 500% magnification. There are 28 different parts that you and your children can label using the anatomy guide. The back of the anatomy guide shares 14 fun facts which include details like: 

• A normal adult brain weighs around 3 pounds...
• Your brain is like a powerful computer...
• Neurons can send information up to 260 miles per hour...

Knowing What We Like 

Both our children really like these floor puzzles. They find them intriguing and interesting. Each time they put the puzzle together, they find they can complete it more quickly as they are more familiar with where the different parts of the brain go.

I like the high quality of the puzzle pieces. I also like the fact that the puzzle is not the typical square or rectangle. You really have to think about the shape to put together the human brain floor puzzle. All of the pieces and the anatomy guide fit together nicely into the puzzle box. I definitely appreciate that we can store the puzzle safely when it is not in use. 

Our daughter and I had a lot of fun putting together the human brain puzzle. It is a nice, simple activity that we can do together that also is educational and works on developing thinking skills. 

I would recommend the human brain floor puzzle to families who wish to spend time learning anatomy together. Whether you homeschool or not, this is a good addition to your puzzle collection. 

Do you want to get 20% off any of the puzzles offered by Genius Games? Use the promo code: KIDSPUZZLES. 

Read more about the human heart puzzle here: Puzzles are Great Fun! A Review of the Human Heart Floor Puzzle

Puzzles are Great Fun! A Review of the Human Heart Floor Puzzle

 

I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this puzzle from Genius Games in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.

Puzzles are great fun! Our children, especially our daughter, really love completing puzzles, but sometimes finding ones that they can complete on their own that are quality, enjoyable, and even educational is not an easy task. They are not ready for 500- to 1000-piece puzzles, but so many of the 100-piece and up floor puzzles are babyish, or they are not well made. That's why it was a pleasure to review the Doctor Livingston JR. Human Heart Floor Puzzle, courtesy of Genius Games.

We had previously reviewed the Dr. Livingston JR Human Body Floor Puzzle and our children really loved it. We were able to incorporate it into our science studies and learn more about how they work, including reviewing the different systems. 

In this puzzle, our children put together the human heart. The 100-piece floor puzzle shows the arteries, aortas, ventricles, valves, and more at 6x magnification making it a centerpiece for science studies. There is also an anatomy reference guide that labels everything for you and your children. 

The colors are bright and clear. The puzzle pieces themselves are well made and should stand up to being put together and taken apart many, many times. The box itself is also wonderful because it is sturdy and has a Velcro close. It is easy for our daughter to open and close as she completes the human heart puzzle on her own.

Whether you are using a secular or Christian homeschool curriculum, the human heart puzzle would be a nice addition to your anatomy lessons. Not only is it fun but it is also educational. I think it would also be valuable for co-ops. You could have the children put it together as a team or merely have it on display for viewing and labeling of the different parts of the human heart. 

Both our younger children, aged seven and nine, enjoyed this jigsaw puzzle. Our son compared it to the Dr. Livingston's Anatomy Jigsaw Puzzle: The Human Thorax we completed with our oldest when he was in high school. He said it is like that puzzle but easier. "It is a handleable size." 

Our daughter said it is a good idea to do the puzzle because it teaches people what the heart looks like. She said, "It is fun to make your own heart." And she often asks if she can put the puzzle together while I am completing homeschool tasks with her brother. 

I would recommend this 28-inch by 22-inch floor puzzle to families with children ages six and up. While you may not use the anatomy reference guide with your younger children, it is a great inclusion for when you will be studying the human heart as they get older.

Genius Games has also released the human brain and the human body floor puzzles. I hope that they continue to release more anatomy puzzles for younger children as they will make for great additions to science classes for years to come.

Do you want to get 20% off any of the puzzles offered by Genius Games? Use the promo code: KIDSPUZZLES.