Difficulty varies a lot, so read the age guidance and the suggested group size. A game aimed at families with younger children keeps the clues fairer and the reading lighter, while a harder title will have adults scratching their heads. Working through the puzzles and games together is good fun, and there is a real sense of satisfaction when the last lock clicks open.

To see jigsaws grouped by piece count and theme, from first puzzles for toddlers to harder pieces for adults, take a look at the jigsaw collection at escape room puzzle games.

For a hand-picked selection of brain teasers across easy, medium and fiendish levels, have a look at the adult puzzle range at escape room puzzle games.

Home escape room games take the idea of a real-life escape room and pack it into a box. You work through a story by solving a chain of puzzles, cracking codes, reading hidden clues and combining objects until you reach the final answer. Most are built for two to six players working together, which makes them a good fit for a family evening or a small get-together.

For gift ideas sorted by age band, with the number of players and rough playing time listed for each, browse the games-by-age pages at brain teaser puzzles.

Piece count is the first thing to settle when you choose a jigsaw. Puzzles for young children usually have large pieces and a low count, so small hands can manage them, while 500 and 1,000-piece puzzles suit older children and adults who want a longer sit-down. If you are buying for someone new to jigsaws, it is better to start lower and work up than to hand over a 2,000-piece puzzle that never gets finished.