How to Complete a Globe Puzzle

Conquer the globe puzzle! If you are ready for a new, more difficult challenge beyond the standard flat puzzle, it's time for one of these three-dimensional round puzzles.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience
• Globe puzzle

1. Know that the term "globe puzzle" only refers to the shape of the puzzle itself, not the subject matter. While some globe puzzles depict the planet Earth, many do not.

2. Choose a subject matter that appeals to you. You can purchase globe puzzles that resemble balls, planets or other famous, round objects.

3. Expect the puzzle pieces to be flat, not round, when you open your chosen globe puzzle box or container.

4. Refer to a flat map or the picture on the puzzle box as you begin to build. The flat surface map will provide you with geographic orientation as you go.

5. Lay all of the globe puzzle pieces out flat on a table or counter.

6. Get a grasp of how the pieces differ in color and shape while they're laid out.

7. Detect that a finite number of puzzle piece shapes exist. You may adapt this into a strategy for completion.

8. Refer to the numbers printed on the back of the individual globe puzzle pieces. If your globe puzzle does not offer this feature, consider writing your own numbers once your puzzle is finished. This will aid you if and when you decide to break the puzzle down and recreate it.

9. Choose to start at a point where a single feature is almost wholly contained on one puzzle piece. These pieces are your first "clues."

10. Complete the remainder of your globe puzzle by referencing and adding on to this initial piece.

11. Celebrate your success once your globe puzzle is complete. You have completed a truly challenging task!

Tips & Warnings

• Use the flat image on the puzzle's box for reference during the puzzle assembly process. It will help greatly in detecting subtle changes of color or detail.
• The easiest and perhaps the best way to complete a globe puzzle is to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Many globe puzzles include a number on the back of each piece to facilitate easier assembly.
• Consider the fact that a globe puzzle is in fact a rather advanced type of puzzle. You or your children may elect to begin with an easier, flat puzzle before moving on to this challenge.
• Only patient and interested children should be given a globe puzzle, as the spacial comprehension required can be quite demanding. Even adults may find these puzzles frustratingly difficult!