Level Guide

Choosing the Right Level

Our levels help you match activities to the person’s current abilities so they feel successful - not overwhelmed. Levels apply to both our puzzles and our activity books.

Level 1 – Higher ability (60-piece puzzles)

Choose Level 1 if the person:

  • Can follow multi-step tasks with some support

  • Enjoyed standard jigsaw puzzles, word games, or crosswords in the past

  • Can stay focused for 20–30 minutes

  • Is in early-stage dementia or has mild cognitive changes, or is rebuilding skills after brain injury/stroke with good stamina

Level 1 offers more pieces and complexity, while still being senior- and adult-friendly in design.

Good fit for:

  • Early-stage dementia or mild cognitive impairment

  • Higher-functioning adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities

  • Adults who say “this feels too easy” with simpler puzzles or activities

Level 2 – Medium support (20–24-piece puzzles)

Choose Level 2 if the person:

  • Gets frustrated with more complex or busy puzzles

  • Benefits from larger, easier-to-handle pieces

  • Can focus for about 10–20 minutes at a time

  • Is in early-to-mid or mid-stage dementia, or has moderate cognitive changes

Level 2 balances challenge and success: there’s enough detail to feel interesting, but fewer pieces to sort, find, and match.

Good fit for:

  • Early-to-mid or mid-stage dementia

  • Adults recovering from brain injury or stroke who need simpler visual tasks

  • Small groups with mixed abilities (family visits, activity groups)

Level 3 – Highest support (12–15-piece puzzles)

Choose Level 3 if the person:

  • Tires easily or loses focus quickly

  • Struggles with fine motor skills or visual processing

  • Needs clear, simple images and a strong sense of completion

  • Is in mid-to-later stage dementia, or has more significant cognitive or physical challenges

Level 3 has the fewest pieces and the most support, making it easier to experience success and reduce frustration.

Good fit for:

  • Mid-to-late stage dementia

  • Adults who are anxious with more complex tasks

  • Short 1:1 sessions, calming activities, or “just right” challenges with lots of caregiver support

How levels relate to activity books

Our activity books follow the same logic:

  • Level 1: Large print, more complex word searches or mazes, more steps.

  • Level 2: Large print, simpler layouts, fewer items per page.

  • Level 3: Large print, very simple layouts, fewer choices per page.

If you’re unsure, start at Level 2. If it feels too easy, move up to Level 1; if it feels frustrating or tiring, move down to Level 3