Looking for puzzles with no AI? Here’s a list of puzzle companies that don’t use AI in puzzles and instead support real artists who make artwork.
Please support these puzzle brands who have a no-AI pledge and commitment to art!
Why Supporting Puzzles With No AI Is So Important
I guess now we can add puzzles made with AI to the ever-growing list of cool things decreasing in quality due to artificial intelligence slop.
SIGH.
I’m a huge puzzler in my house and so, like some of you probably, I have my own favorite puzzle companies where I look for fun puzzle artwork combined with quality puzzle pieces.
But, before I get to the personal story of disappointment from one of my favorite puzzle companies that led me to write this puzzling post, let’s talk about why you should add puzzle time to your classroom, homeschool gameschooling, or just family time.
*BE SURE TO SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE MY SAD MOMENT OF TRUTH ABOUT MY (PREVIOUSLY) FAVORITE PUZZLE COMPANY.
Benefits of Putting Together Puzzles for Kids and Family
Putting together puzzles:
- Practices fine motor skills
- Gives time for face-to-face discussions in a non-intrusive way
- Is a calming way to tune out “outside noise” (world events, etc.)
- Gives you another reason to listen to music and audiobooks
- Introduces new art and new artists to kids
- Adds to tech-free family time or analog activities
But, aren’t puzzles boring for kids?!?
I get it, puzzles can seem boring or like they’re for old people (I’ll forgive you for that one), but if you haven’t looked at puzzles lately I think you’ll be surprised at the amazing and FUN artwork that exists in almost every niche or category.
This ain’t your grandma’s countryside puzzles anymore.
(But, how dare you. Countryside puzzles are AWESOME.)
So, you can definitely find puzzles that fit your interests or your kids’ interests. My teen loves art and doesn’t really love puzzles, but she put together a women in art puzzle and a Frida Kahlo puzzle with me just because of the topics!
READ THIS NEXT: Teaching Kids In The AI Era: Welcome To Uncanny Valley
Why Support Puzzle Companies That Don’t Use Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Some puzzle companies have in-house artists that complete art for puzzles or their other products.
However, there are many small puzzle companies that contract with independent artists to create puzzle art.
Anytime you buy puzzles from these kinds of companies, you are supporting the art community, taking a stand against AI, and, most likely, supporting an independent business.
List of Puzzles Companies with a NO-AI Pledge
These companies have publicly stated that they have a NO artificial intelligence puzzle pledge and are committed to real art from real artists for their puzzles.
If you know of more puzzle companies who support artists and not AI puzzles, leave them in the comments so I can check them out and we can include them in our tips for avoiding AI-generated puzzles.
NOTE: I have no affiliation with these businesses nor are these affiliate links. This is an important topic to me that I wanted to share.
I refer to these companies as “puzzle companies” but many of them have games, stationary, and many other products (in addition to puzzles). Be sure to browse around to support them when you get to their websites.
Galison Puzzles
Galison Puzzles has long been one of my favorite puzzle companies, not just for the quality puzzle pieces, but they have really beautiful puzzle art.
I also like that they include biographies about the artists with their puzzles.
Some of my favorite puzzle art with Galison is from Michael Storrings, who creates beautiful watercolor scenes based mainly around cities like New York throughout different seasons.
Galison’s No AI Generative Art Pledge:
Are your products designed with generative AI?
No, we do not use generative AI to create our products. They are designed and produced by people. The artist’s names can be found on the individual product pages or product cards in a collection.
Eeboo Puzzles
If you want fun, colorful, more contemporary puzzles, then Eeboo is your quality puzzle company!
I just discovered Eeboo a few years ago, but we’ve really enjoyed their puzzle art.
Eeboo is a woman-owned company which focuses on recycled paper, vegetable-based inks, and try to avoid waste with unnecessary packaging.
I’ve seen them on many lists of puzzle games that don’t use generative AI in their puzzles and games.
Eeboo Puzzles Original Artwork Statement:
1000 and 500 Piece Jigsaw puzzles made from recycled materials, FSC®-certified paper, and vegetable-based inks. Founded in 2017 by specialty toy pioneer Mia Galison, eeBoo Piece & Love uses sustainable materials to create extraordinary high-quality puzzles featuring thoughtful original artwork.
Jiggy Puzzles
I just bought my first Jiggy puzzle and they might be one of my new favorites based solely on their packaging and artist support.
(I’ve yet to put the puzzle together. I’ll come back and update when I do.)
Jiggy Puzzles highlight their independent, female artists and even includes the bio with the beautifully packaged puzzle.
It also came with a quality cloth bag to hold the pieces when you’re done so you don’t lose any puzzle pieces.
Jiggy Puzzles Statement:
Our puzzles highlight art by emerging female artists from around the world. A percentage of every sale goes directly to the artist.
NOTE: Jiggy Puzzles are more expensive than other puzzles, but a portion of each sale goes directly back to the artist, which makes the extra cost worth it to me.
1Canoe2 Puzzles
1Canoe2 is another new-to-me puzzle company that I’ve enjoyed the art.
Because they are an illustration company that has many different kinds of products, they support in-house artists to create their illustrations and art.
I’ll add pictures of the puzzles from here after I put some together!
1Canoe2 Art Statment:
Each piece of artwork we create shows the hand of the artist and embodies our love of home-cooked meals, weekends spent in nature, and all things happy.
Lantern Press Puzzles
Lantern Press puzzles are focused mainly on outdoor life like parks, lakes, hiking, etc.
We really enjoyed doing the Lake Life puzzle while we were… at the lake!
They are another high-quality company with thick puzzle pieces.
Lantern Press Statement on AI Puzzle Art:
Every Lantern Press design begins with a human touch. Our in-house team of illustrators hand-draws each piece—from concept sketches to final color—using traditional and digital tools. No AI shortcuts, just genuine artistry inspired by the places and experiences we love.
We’re Seattle-based creators who make products featuring original art (plus a few irresistible vintage prints and photographs). Our mission is to connect people with their travels, passions, and memorable experiences through thoughtfully-made keepsakes and gifts.
Puzzledly
I also wanted to let you know about a women-owned puzzle company called Puzzledly.
This company has a large amount of puzzles from different sources (including AI-generated puzzles).
HOWEVER, they have a toggle switch in their drop-down menu under Jigsaw Puzzles. You can toggle on “no-AI” and they will only show you puzzles made without AI art.
White Mountain Puzzles Use AI Now
This is the sad part of the post for me.
If you’ve been following my social media or newsletter for a while, you may remember me mentioning my love of White Mountain puzzles.
It was probably my #1 top puzzle company.
I loved the vintage art of the puzzles and the sturdy quality of the puzzle pieces.
We buy puzzles all throughout the year, but every year, I buy a new puzzle for us to do on our vacation and it’s almost always a White Mountain Puzzle.
Last year was no different.
I sat down to do our White Mountain Puzzle and something was just… off.
The quality of the image art was blurry and some things just didn’t make sense, art styles were drastically different across the image, there were weird, unidentifiable objects and blobs in different areas of the puzzle, and there was just an overall weirdness.
It was so not the White Mountain Puzzle quality that we were used to.
And then it hit us — this White Mountain Puzzle is made with AI.
I was so disappointed.
This is after years and years of doing many puzzles from them and them being our go-to puzzle company.
When I returned from vacation, I emailed White Mountain Puzzles (we have bought SO MANY puzzles from them over the years) to let them know of my disappointment that they are now using AI in puzzles. And really bad AI, at that.
They confirmed they do use AI images and that they also review and reject some AI generated puzzle art.
However, one part of their responses really stood out to me:
Please note it is very difficult for the average person and even some online search engines to tell the difference between digital artwork using programs like Adobe and actual completely AI imagery.
Wow.
Well, my family can tell and “don’t worry most people won’t know” seemed like a weird response from customer service.
I’m so glad that I kept our old non-AI puzzles from White Mountain Puzzles.
And, I’m really excited that we have so many other great new puzzle companies we’ve found over the last couple of years that supports real artwork from real artists!
Bookmark this puzzle list! I’ll continue to add to it as I find more companies who pledge puzzles with real art.
What company should I add to the list of puzzles with no AI?
