Bottom line: In this free version of Puzzingo, your youngster gets to play multiple progressive puzzles that are rewarded with fun games upon completion. The bright colors, active music, and fun subject matters should appeal to toddlers and preschoolers alike. There is a generous amount of free content in this app.
If you’d like to download Puzzingo (free), please use the handy link below so they’ll know who sent you.
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No ads. External links in protected parent section and from softly protected links on home screen. Additional content may be purchased as in-app purchases (prices appear to be $2.99 per category or $14.99 for an all-access pass. If you'd rather just straight up purchase the full-access pro version without downloading the free first, you can do that here.)
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Long ago, Smart Apps for Kids reviewed Puzzingo on its initial release, rating it 4.5 stars. As apps grow and change over the years, it’s sometimes a good idea to re-visit them to see how they are progressing. Today, I did just that with Puzzingo. For review purposes, I was testing out the free version of the app. Often, I am disappointed with the amount of content a developer offers for free, but the available games in Puzzingo are substantial enough to satisfy any curiosity users might have.
Puzzingo opens up to a home screen with a clown and playful circus music. Clicking on the clown takes users to a secondary menu that allows them to choose what category they would like to play. In the free version there are two categories available. The main free category is called Let’s Play, and there is a second category that offers free daily previews of puzzles that are available in the upgraded categories.
When we open up Let’s Play, we are shown darkened silhouettes on the left side and an unopened present on the right. Tapping on the present gives users the puzzle pieces to fill in the darkened silhouette, and whichever they choose will take them on to the next puzzle. In each subsequent puzzle, the scene is presented in pretty much the same way with darkened areas to the right, and a gift waiting to be opened to uncover the pieces necessary to fill the spots.
Puzzle pieces are unveiled only a couple at the time, which is kind of a nice touch that should keep kids from becoming overwhelmed. As the pieces are placed, additional items are revealed for use. Once the entire scene is completed, your child will be taken on to a fun mini-game. It might be a game where they can groom and play with a cute little cat, or it could be a soccer game that challenges them to make goals.
After kids complete the Let’s Play category, parents might opt to upgrade their content by purchasing additional categories (like Trucks or Bugs) at $2.99 apiece. Or purchase an All-Access Pass that includes all of the categories (more than 20!)
What I liked:
- Fun, bright characters. Music that is festive without becoming annoying.
- I liked the progressive nature of doling out only a few pieces at the time. This offers kids a challenge without becoming overwhelming.
- Generous amount of free content.
What I liked less:
- It appears that you have to complete the puzzle each time to get to the mini game. It would be fun if you could open puzzles that you’ve already completed and hop straight to the mini game.
- While the free content is generous, I wonder if the $14.99 price tag for all of the content might make some parents shy-off of upgrading their purchase.
I’m going to stick with the 4.5 star rating on this app, so it stays one of our Top Picks. While there are a lot of puzzle apps competing with it on the market, the quantity of free content helps Puzzingo keep the 4.5 star rating.
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Kelli's kids have been out on summer break for a week now. How is it possible that they are already bored? Smart Apps for Kids was paid a fee to review this app in a timely fashion.
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