If the Weather Outside is Frightful, that Means it’s Puzzle Time

And there are lots of American-made options.

It can be hard to find things to do when winter weather forces you to stay indoors. Instead of binge-watching or scrolling, try puzzling. This activity is a great way to get your brain working and a fun way to bond with family. When looking for a puzzle to get started, we recommend choosing one of the many American-made options. Here are nine awesome puzzle companies that do their manufacturing domestically.

Dowdle Puzzles

Dowdle Puzzles is one of the more famous Made in USA puzzle options. It’s especially popular at tourist sites, since Dowdle is well known for its depictions of places (such as Seattle and Greece). All of the art is done by Eric Dowdle himself, giving these puzzles a unique and instantly recognizable style. Dowdles are full of little details, with something going on everywhere you look. It’s not only fun but also may make doing the puzzle a little easier! Be sure to check labels, though — Dowdle Puzzles that display the Made in USA label prominently are made in Utah, while others may be made elsewhere.

True South Puzzle Company

When Susan Taylor tried to start puzzling during a vacation that was ruined by cold weather, she ran into a problem: the puzzle she chose wasn’t of high quality. So, she decided to take her 35-year experience of running a picture framing store and use it to guide her own puzzle business. Now, Nashville’s True South Puzzle Company is going strong. Most of its puzzles feature scenes from across America, from Tennessee to Acadia National Park. There’s also pop culture options (my favorite is this Taylor Swift puzzle). The designs are all done by independent artists, and the puzzles themselves are manufactured in Indiana. These 500-piece puzzles are great for anyone starting out on their puzzling journey. You can learn even more about True South Puzzle Company in this profile of Taylor on our blog.

New York Puzzle Company

Any lover of vintage art will appreciate New York Puzzle Company. This company, founded by two college friends, sells a huge collection of vintage-inspired puzzles. My personal favorite options from them are their collaborations with the New Yorker, featuring puzzles with art from the iconic magazine’s covers over the last hundred years. There’s more than just these classy designs to choose from, though. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you have to check out the many puzzles featuring the original book art. Plus, 1% of all sales goes toward supporting environmental non-profits. But keep in mind: This company’s website sells other products that may not be made in the U.S., so check labels!

White Mountain Puzzles

White Mountain Puzzles is another iconic puzzle company you’ve probably seen before. These are your super simple, classic puzzles. White Mountain is perhaps best known for its huge collection of collage based puzzles, like this patriotic-themed one. But what you may not have known is that White Mountain is based in the small town of Jackson, N.H. and does all its manufacturing domestically, mostly in Massachusetts and Indiana. That’s impressive for a brand that’s so notable! Plus, these puzzles are extremely affordable — the average price is only $20.

Artifact Puzzles

For a unique, artistic puzzle, you can’t go wrong with Artifact Puzzles. It’s based in Port Townsend, Wash., which is also where it does all its manufacturing. Artifact Puzzles makes its products in small batches with environmentally friendly ingredients to avoid waste. There’s a lot of unique options to choose from; you’ll find puzzles with a “whimsy piece”, a specially shaped piece that corresponds with the puzzle. There’s puzzles with unique edges and mystery puzzles with no image given that provide an extra challenge for intrepid puzzlers. For another challenge, try out Artifact’s small (but extremely hard) puzzles where every piece can fit together — meaning, you’ll have to solely rely on the image to make sure your puzzle is correct!

Mosaic Puzzles

Can’t get enough of those not-so0typical puzzles? Try out Mosaic Puzzles. It’s relatively new on the scene, but this Alpharetta, Ga. company is making waves. Much like companies such as Artifact and Liberty, Mosaic focuses on puzzles with uniquely shaped pieces. What sets these apart, though, is that they offer puzzles you can solve in two ways — the traditional way, and the 3D way. Each puzzle is essentially two puzzles in one, and provide a whole new experience for any puzzler. Plus, some of these puzzles even move!

Heritage Puzzle

Heritage Puzzle is based in the small town of Pfafftown, N.C. That heritage (pun intended) shines through its simple puzzle options. Many of the puzzles from this family-run business have a beach or Carolinas theme, like this Smoky Mountains puzzle or this adorable puzzle featuring baby turtles waddling out to sea. Even if you’re not from the Carolinas, you’ll be sure to find something that calls to you.

Liberty Puzzles

Are you a longtime puzzler looking for something different and exciting? Then you need to check out Liberty Puzzles. Yes, they’re expensive, but that’s only because each and every piece is completely unique, with intricate designs you won’t find in any other puzzle. These puzzles are perfect for anyone who likes to save their work and display it, since the designs are truly a work of art. If you want a puzzle no one else has, you can even order a custom-made puzzle. This Boulder, Colo. family business is truly one worth celebrating! For more information about Liberty Puzzles, check out our blog post featuring the company.

Springbok Puzzles

Finally: Springbok Puzzles is an extremely well-known puzzle brand that’s been around since 1968 and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. This Kansas City company is an affordable puzzle staple. You’ll find puzzles of all sizes here, and you can even sort by difficulty depending on if you’re starting out or are a seasoned pro. And all of Springbok’s puzzles are made with recycled materials, too!