Train Your Brain with Free Train Jigsaws - Online and Downloadable
Free Train Jigsaws to Download: A Fun and Educational Hobby
If you are looking for a healthy distraction and escape from the world around you, look no further than your computer or your dining room table and a train jigsaw puzzle. Whether you make your own or download one online, train jigsaw puzzles are a great way to exercise your brain, relax your mind, and indulge your passion for trains. In this article, we will show you how to make your own train jigsaw puzzles, where to find free train jigsaws online, and why this hobby is good for you.
What are Train Jigsaws?
A brief introduction to jigsaw puzzles and their history
Jigsaw puzzles are images that are cut into small pieces of various shapes and sizes that need to be assembled together to form the original picture. They can be made of cardboard, wood, plastic, metal, or other materials. Jigsaw puzzles date back to the 18th century, when they were used as educational tools for children to learn geography. They became popular as a recreational activity in the 19th century, especially after the invention of the interlocking puzzle piece. Today, jigsaw puzzles are enjoyed by people of all ages and interests, with millions of designs available on the market.
free train jigsaws to download
The appeal of train-themed jigsaw puzzles for train enthusiasts and hobbyists
Train-themed jigsaw puzzles are especially appealing for those who love trains and railways. They offer a variety of images that showcase different types of trains, such as steam locomotives, diesel engines, electric trains, monorails, bullet trains, subway trains, and more. They also feature different scenes and landscapes that depict trains in action, such as bridges, tunnels, stations, mountains, cities, countrysides, and historical events. Train jigsaw puzzles can be a fun way to learn more about trains and their history, as well as admire their beauty and engineering.
How to Make Your Own Train Jigsaws
The tools and materials you need to create a cardboard or wood-backed puzzle
If you want to make your own train jigsaw puzzle, you will need the following tools and materials:
A train image that you want to use for your puzzle. You can print a photograph, draw or create your own image, or use a card, poster, or any other printed image.
A puzzle backing that is sturdy enough to hold the pieces together. You can use cardboard or plywood, depending on your preference and skill level.
Glue that is suitable for your image and backing material. You can use liquid craft glue or spray glue.
Lacquer that is safe for your image and will protect it from damage. You can use spray lacquer or clear varnish.
A ruler and a pencil to mark the grid lines on your backing material.
A pair of sharp scissors or a hobby knife if you are using cardboard as your backing material.
A coping saw or a scroll saw if you are using plywood as your backing material.
The steps to follow to print, glue, cut, and lacquer your puzzle image
Here are the steps to follow to make your own train jigsaw puzzle:
Print your train image on a paper that is the same size as your backing material. You can use a photo printer, a regular printer, or a printing service.
Glue your train image onto your backing material. Make sure to spread the glue evenly and avoid any bubbles or wrinkles. Press the image firmly and let it dry completely.
Lacquer your train image to seal and protect it. Apply a thin layer of lacquer over the image and let it dry. Repeat this step until you have a smooth and glossy finish.
Mark the grid lines on the back of your backing material. Use a ruler and a pencil to draw horizontal and vertical lines that divide your puzzle into equal squares. You can make the squares as large or as small as you want, depending on how many pieces you want your puzzle to have.
Cut out your puzzle pieces along the grid lines. Use scissors or a hobby knife if you are using cardboard, or a coping saw or a scroll saw if you are using plywood. Be careful not to damage the image or hurt yourself while cutting.
Mix up your puzzle pieces and enjoy putting them together!
Some tips and tricks to make your puzzle more challenging and durable
If you want to make your puzzle more challenging and durable, here are some tips and tricks you can try:
Instead of using straight grid lines, use curved or zigzag lines to cut out your puzzle pieces. This will make the pieces more irregular and harder to fit together.
Instead of using one train image, use two or more images that have similar colors or patterns. This will create confusion and increase the difficulty level.
Instead of using paper, use fabric or canvas to print your train image. This will make the image more textured and resistant to wear and tear.
Instead of using glue, use magnets or velcro to attach your train image to your backing material. This will make the puzzle more flexible and portable.
Instead of using lacquer, use resin or epoxy to coat your train image. This will make the image more shiny and waterproof.
Where to Find Free Train Jigsaws Online
The benefits of online jigsaw puzzles for your brain and mental health
If you don't have the time or the resources to make your own train jigsaw puzzle, you can always find free train jigsaws online. Online jigsaw puzzles are convenient, accessible, and fun. They also have many benefits for your brain and mental health, such as:
They improve your memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills by stimulating both sides of your brain.
They reduce your stress, anxiety, and depression by providing a relaxing and rewarding activity.
They enhance your creativity, imagination, and visual perception by exposing you to different images and perspectives.
They boost your self-esteem, confidence, and happiness by giving you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
They foster your social skills, communication, and cooperation by allowing you to share and play with others online.
The best websites to download and play free train jigsaw puzzles
There are many websites that offer free train jigsaw puzzles that you can download and play on your computer or mobile device. Some of the best ones are:
NameDescriptionLink
Jigsaw PlanetA website that lets you create, share, and play custom jigsaw puzzles with thousands of images available, including many train-themed ones.[Jigsaw Planet]
The Jigsaw PuzzlesA website that offers over 10,000 free jigsaw puzzles in various categories, such as animals, art, nature, places, etc., including a section dedicated to trains.[The Jigsaw Puzzles]
JigidiA website that allows you to join a community of jigsaw puzzle lovers and play free online puzzles with different levels of difficulty, including some featuring trains.[Jigidi]
Jigsaw ExplorerA website that provides high-quality online jigsaw puzzles that you can customize with different settings, such as number of pieces, rotation, zoom, etc., including some with train images.[Jigsaw Explorer]
Daily Jigsaw PuzzlesA website that updates a new free jigsaw puzzle every day, with a variety of themes and difficulty levels, including some related to trains.[Daily Jigsaw Puzzles]
How to customize your online puzzle experience with different settings and features
One of the advantages of online jigsaw puzzles is that you can customize your puzzle experience with different settings and features. Here are some of the options you can choose from:
The number of pieces: You can select how many pieces you want your puzzle to have, from as few as 4 to as many as 1000 or more. The more pieces you have, the harder the puzzle will be.
The shape of the pieces: You can choose the shape of the pieces, such as classic, square, triangle, hexagon, etc. The more varied the shapes are, the more challenging the puzzle will be.
The rotation of the pieces: You can decide whether you want the pieces to be fixed or rotated. If you choose the latter, you will have to rotate the pieces yourself to fit them together. This will add an extra level of difficulty to the puzzle.
The zoom and pan: You can zoom in and out of the puzzle image to see the details better or get a broader view. You can also pan the image to move it around and focus on different areas.
The hints and guides: You can use hints and guides to help you solve the puzzle faster or easier. For example, you can use the image preview, the edge filter, the ghost image, the background color, etc.
The timer and score: You can track your time and score while playing the puzzle. You can also compare your results with other players or challenge yourself to beat your own record.
Conclusion
A summary of the main points and a call to action for the readers
In conclusion, train jigsaw puzzles are a fun and educational hobby that you can enjoy by yourself or with others. You can make your own train jigsaw puzzles with some simple tools and materials, or you can find free train jigsaws online with various settings and features. Train jigsaw puzzles are good for your brain and mental health, as they improve your memory, concentration, problem-solving skills, creativity, imagination, visual perception, stress relief, self-esteem, confidence, happiness, social skills, communication, and cooperation. So what are you waiting for? Gra