Choosing the Right Level

Everyone’s abilities are different, and they can change from day to day. Our levels help you choose an activity based on the person’s current abilities, attention, and comfort level so the experience feels engaging and achievable, not frustrating or overwhelming.

Anchor levels apply to both our puzzles and activity books.

Level 1 | More Challenge

60-piece puzzles

Choose Level 1 if the person:

• Can follow multi-step activities independently or with some support
• Enjoys jigsaw puzzles, word games, crosswords, or other problem-solving activities
• Can stay engaged with an activity for a longer period of time
• Enjoys sorting, searching, matching, and working toward a more involved challenge
• Finds simpler activities too easy

Level 1 offers more pieces and complexity while maintaining the larger pieces, clear imagery, and age-honoring designs found throughout Anchor's puzzle collection.

Good fit for:

• Adults experiencing mild cognitive changes
• Adults who have experienced stroke or brain injury and are comfortable with more involved activities
• Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who enjoy more involved activities
• Anyone who wants an approachable alternative to a traditional high-piece-count puzzle

Level 2 | Moderate Challenge

20–24-piece puzzles

Choose Level 2 if the person:

• Becomes frustrated with complex or visually busy puzzles
• Benefits from larger, easier-to-handle pieces
• Enjoys shorter activities or benefits from a more manageable amount of time and complexity
• Enjoys some challenge but benefits from fewer choices
• May need occasional help getting started or finding the next piece

Level 2 balances challenge with an achievable sense of progress. There is enough detail to keep the activity interesting, with fewer pieces to sort, find, and match.

Good fit for:

• Adults who benefit from moderate cognitive support
• Adults who have experienced stroke or brain injury and prefer simpler visual activities
• Adults who find traditional puzzles overwhelming
• One-on-one visits or small groups with varying abilities

Level 3 | Simpler Experience

12–15-piece puzzles

Choose Level 3 if the person:

• Tires easily or has a shorter attention span
• Has difficulty with fine motor skills or visual processing
• Benefits from clear images and fewer choices
• Needs more assistance completing an activity
• Becomes anxious or frustrated with more complicated tasks

Level 3 has the fewest pieces, making it easier to see progress and experience the satisfaction of completing the puzzle.

Good fit for:

• Adults who benefit from greater cognitive or physical support
• Adults who find more complex activities frustrating or tiring
• Short one-on-one activity sessions
• Calming activity time with support from a family member, caregiver, or activity professional

How Levels Apply to Activity Books

Our activity books follow the same basic approach:

• Level 1 | More Challenge: Large print with more complex word searches, mazes, and multi-step activities.
• Level 2 | Moderate Challenge: Large print with simpler layouts and fewer items or choices per page.
• Level 3 | Simpler Experience: Large print with very simple layouts, fewer choices, and activities designed to be easier to begin and complete.

Still Not Sure?

Start with the person, not the diagnosis.

Think about what they enjoy, how long they typically stay engaged, how easily they become frustrated, and how much assistance they usually need.

When in doubt, consider starting with the level that seems most likely to provide a comfortable opportunity for success. If the activity feels too easy, try a more challenging level. If it feels frustrating or tiring, try a simpler level.

The right level is the one that offers enough challenge to be engaging while still providing an opportunity for success.