Christmas Idea #1 – The Baffler

Over the next several weeks, I’m going to be posting reviews for some products that you might like to add to your Christmas lists – either for you or the kids! 

I’d like to start out this series of reviews by introducing you to a neat item that we recently discovered  - - -

THE BAFFLER

The Baffler “is designed by artist extraordinaire, Chris Yates (see more of his work at www.chrisyates.net). The Baffler is a brand new concept for Ceaco, and there are very few artists making puzzles the way Yates makes the Bafflers. ”

The Baffler is recommended for ages 12+.  It is available in 3 different designs and costs only $9.99 (online). 

We received the Spiral of Archimedes Baffler (shown above).  I expected this to be something that Ashley and I would enjoy.  But, before we had a chance to even touch it, Gracie scarfed it up!  She’s only 10, but she’s got what we call “puzzle brain”.  She loves doing any kind of brain-teaser type things. 

She LOVES the Baffler!  The first few times she did it, she looked at the picture of it.  Now, she just does it on her own.  We’ve had it for several weeks and she’s not bored with it yet.  She does it at least once a day (many days more!)  She’s already asked if she might have another one for Christmas. 

In the picture I posted above, you can see that the Baffler comes with a border and all the pieces have to fit inside that border.  Gracie likes using a breakfast tray to lay out all the pieces – this way, she can take the Baffler with her anywhere she goes!

Here is some more information about The Baffler, taken from the company’s press release:

Each puzzle image is randomly designed and cut in the oddest ways to make it as tricky as possible. The Baffler has no straight edges, no overlapping images and many unique shapes. Each of the three puzzles in the series has a unique piece count: 67 pieces, 69 pieces and 78 pieces.

“Chris Yates is a true jack of all trades, dabbling in many forms of art,” says Donna Webster, Vice President of Licensing for Ceaco.  “His creativity shines through in the Baffler, which will really stand out on the shelves because it is so fun and colorful. It’s something we haven’t seen before, so it’s an exciting new venture and certainly a new concept within the puzzle market.”

If you have any hard-to-buy-for people on your Christmas list, I’d definitely recommend the Baffler.  It’s affordable and fun!  And, if Gracie is any indication, it’s also addicting!  Again, here is the link to purchase online. 

NOTE: I received The Baffler for free in exchange for our use and review of it on my blog.  I was not compensated in any other way and the thoughts shared herein are entirely my own.