Building Communities Through Puzzle Events
Puzzles are a powerful tool for bringing people together. Puzzling is more than just a hobby, it’s a way to connect.
Monica (@PuzzledAboutEverything), is known for her engaging, inspiring and fun social media presence as well as her puzzle events. From puzzle cruises to pub gatherings, Monica has witnessed firsthand how these events can foster a sense of community and togetherness. Organizing a puzzle event may sound like a straightforward idea, but creating a successful, engaging, and enjoyable experience requires a bit of planning, facilitation skills and creativity. In this article Monica shares her insights with us and gives tips on how to organize a puzzle event that will leave participants wanting more.
The Magic of Puzzle Events
According to Monica, one of the most rewarding aspects of hosting puzzle events is watching people from different backgrounds come together to share a common interest. Whether it’s families, friends, colleagues, or strangers meeting for the first time, puzzles create a bridge for interaction and collaboration. "I've seen families reconnect, friends bond, and even people on first dates finding common ground through puzzles," she says. "Puzzles offer a unique way for people to interact without the pressure of constant conversation. If you run out of things to say, you can always talk about the puzzle in front of you."
Since puzzles work as a great icebreaker, Monica likes to encourage people to work together in her events - whether they’re solving a puzzle with friends or striking up a conversation with a stranger over shared pieces. “At the end of the day, it's not just about completing the puzzle," she says. "It's about the conversations, the laughter, and the memories you create along the way."
One of Monica’s key strategies is to ensure that her events offer something to match all skill levels. She starts by understanding what participants hope to get out of the event - whether they want to compete, relax, or simply catch up with friends. By tailoring the experience to meet each person's expectations, she creates an environment where everyone feels welcome. Competitive puzzling can be fun, but it can also be intimidating for beginners. To address this, Monica has shifted her focus from speed-puzzling contests to more relaxed sessions where people can puzzle at their own pace. The idea is to make sure everyone feels comfortable and enjoys the experience, whether they are seasoned puzzlers or new to the hobby.
Monica’s Tips for Hosting Your Own Puzzle Event
Monica’s events have proven that puzzles can do more than just entertain - they can create a sense of belonging. So, if you’re looking for a way to connect with others, why not try hosting your own puzzle event? To help get you started, Monica shares 5 tips with us.
Choose the Right Venue
Monica recommends contacting your local pub or library and asking if you could host an event there. In addition, community centers or cafés that can comfortably accommodate groups are perfect locations for puzzle events. The space should have enough tables, which are large enough for people to work on puzzles comfortably. Monica suggests making sure the venue has a welcoming atmosphere and that people have enough room to move around. It’s also important to assess the lighting conditions: puzzles require good visibility, so if you're in a pub or café with dim lighting, ask if the venue can turn up the lights during the event.
Offer a Variety of Puzzles
Provide a variety of puzzles to match different skill levels and interests. Monica says she always brings a wide range of puzzles to her events, including different sizes, themes, and difficulty levels. She also includes unique types of puzzles like wooden puzzles, round puzzles, and even acrylic puzzles to keep things interesting. If you're just starting and lack a large puzzle collection, Monica recommends reaching out to puzzle brands. Many brands are willing to sponsor events by providing puzzles, especially if you’re planning to create social media content around them. This can be a great way to introduce your participants to new brands they may not have tried before.
Keep Things Organized
To keep her events running smoothly, Monica has developed an efficient system for managing her puzzles. She repackages them into zip-lock bags and makes laminated puzzle images, making it easier to transport and set up the puzzles at each event. She also color-codes her puzzles by difficulty and type to help participants choose the best one for their skill level. For example, green labels might indicate 300-piece puzzles, while orange might be reserved for more challenging brands. This method helps participants quickly find a puzzle that suits their interest and ability. In addition Monica tracks how many times each puzzle has been used to decide when it’s time to retire a puzzle from her collection. This level of detail helps maintain the quality of the puzzles and keeps the event fresh for returning participants.
Engage with Participants
As mentioned, Monica greets every participant upon arrival and discusses their goals and hopes for the event. By acknowledging everyone and tailoring the experience to meet each person's expectations, she creates an environment where everyone feels welcome. Engaging with the participants during the event is just as important. Monica loves to walk around, encourage participants, and offer personalized puzzle recommendations based on their progress. She also shares interesting backstories about the puzzle brands and artists, which enhances the participants' connection to the puzzles they are working on.
Spread the Word and Build a Community
Marketing your event is essential to get people involved. Whether it's through social media, community boards, or word-of-mouth, make sure people know about your puzzle event. Getting the word out there and building a community of puzzlers might take some time, so Monica recommends inviting a group of friends to your events, so you don’t have to stress about no one showing up. When things start rolling and people get a taste of how fun these events can be, they’ll keep coming back for more and the community starts to build. Monica has found that even those who start as reluctant participants often leave with a renewed love for puzzles.
Final Thoughts
Organizing a puzzle event is more than just putting out a few puzzles and hoping for the best. It's about creating a space where people can come together, engage their minds, and have a good time. As Monica beautifully puts it, the joy of puzzling isn't just in completing the picture - it's in the connections you make along the way.
So, if you're considering hosting a puzzle event in your community, take a page from Monica's book: keep it fun, keep it engaging, and most of all, keep it genuine. Happy puzzling!
PS. If you’re interested in hearing Monica’s #mypuzzlestory and get inspiration for puzzle content creation, listen to The Puzzle Podcast