Ever found a tiny cat or elephant hiding in your puzzle? Here’s what they’re really called.
You know that moment when you’re piecing together a wooden jigsaw and suddenly spot a piece shaped like a squirrel, a seahorse, or even a little teapot? Those aren’t random manufacturing quirks. They have a name, and it’s one of my favorite words in the puzzling world:
Yes, whimsy pieces. Sometimes called “figural pieces” or “silhouettes,” these are the animal‑shaped (or object‑shaped) puzzle pieces that turn a regular assembly into a treasure hunt. They’ve been around since the early days of jigsaw puzzles – think 18th‑century European map puzzles – but really flourished in the 1930s, when brands like Parker Brothers started cutting bird‑, fish‑, and flower‑shaped pieces into their wooden puzzles.
At Woodbests, we love whimsies because they add a layer of joy and discovery. You’re not just matching edges; you’re going, “Oh! That’s a little owl!” mid‑assembly. It slows you down in the best way, and it makes finishing the puzzle feel even more rewarding.
So next time someone asks, “What are those puzzles with animal‑shaped pieces?” – you can smile and say, “They’re whimsy puzzles, and the pieces are called whimsies.”
Want to try one? Our Woodbests animal‑themed wooden puzzles are packed with them. Every time you pick up a piece, you might just meet a new little wooden friend.