Dowdle Wooden Puzzle Review – Nostalgia Refined
Dowdle Wooden Puzzles are a premium wooden jigsaw puzzle featuring Eric Dowdle’s nostalgic folk art.
*Originally published on MyPuzzleDay.com —May 15, 2023*
⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Dowdle Wooden Puzzles are truly extraordinary. Manufactured in Lindon, Utah, they are based on the original folk art of Eric Dowdle. Opening a Dowdle puzzle box is like opening a present, offering a delightful departure from traditional cardboard puzzles with their 3.0 mm hardwood construction and high-quality finish.
Just The Deets!
• Piece Cut: Grid
• Piece Fit: Loose
• False Fits: Yes (Requires careful placement)
• Piece Gauge: 3.0 mm (Hardwood backing, very thick)
• Puzzle Finish: Matte (Giclée print mounted on wood)
• Reference Poster: Yes (Often includes a map/legend with location details)
• Dust Level: None
• Material: Hardwood backing with giclée print.
• Box Feature: Sturdy cardboard with magnetic closure
• Puzzle Size 250 Piece: 8.5″ x 6.75″
• Made in USA
Image Quality & Themes
The Dowdle wooden puzzles feature high-quality giclée prints mounted directly on the wooden pieces. This printing method delivers vibrant colors and sharp details, accurately reproducing Eric Dowdle’s original folk art style. The resulting finish is a beautiful, glare-free Matte.
Dowdle wooden puzzles offer a delightful variety of themes, all characterized by Eric Dowdle’s signature style:
Classic Americana
European Charm
Coastal Bliss
Wildlife Encounters
Seasonal Celebrations
✋ Hands On Experience
Wooden puzzles are durable, beautiful, and provide a unique puzzle experience. It takes some adjustment as the pieces are very thick compared to cardboard puzzles and have to be placed just so.
The Dowdle mini wooden puzzle was the first wooden puzzle I had ever done. The pieces are a substantial 3.0 mm thick, and the tactile experience is fantastic. They slide into place nicely, but because the pieces are so thick, they have to be placed “just so.”
The downside to the looser fit and thickness is the potential for false fits. It is possible to force a piece where it doesn’t belong, and it took a bit of time to carefully extract the false-fitted piece without damaging the print.
The puzzles are a joy to open, often including a map and legend that gives details about the places listed in the artwork, adding educational value. Since these are hardwood puzzles, the dust level is nonexistent.
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros (The Experience & Quality)
Premium Material: Extremely durable, thick 3.0 mm hardwood pieces.
Excellent Art: Features Eric Dowdle’s unique, nostalgic folk art.
Made in USA: Manufactured in Lindon, Utah.
Tactile Experience: Satisfying placement and sturdy feel.
Zero Dust: Clean puzzling experience.
Extras: Includes a helpful reference poster/map.
❌ Cons (Minor Imperfections)
Loose Fit/False Fits: Pieces can be forced into the wrong spot, requiring careful attention.
Grid Cut: May not be as challenging as a whimsical or random cut wood puzzle.
Adjustment Period: Requires a different approach than traditional cardboard puzzles.
💡 Final Thoughts: The Verdict
Wooden puzzles are a durable, beautiful, and unique experience that every puzzler should try. The Dowdle brand delivers on quality with its thick hardwood pieces, vibrant giclée prints, and charming, nostalgic art. While you need to be careful of false fits, the tactile satisfaction and premium feel make these puzzles a refined way to enjoy the classic pastime.
Look closely for the hidden gems in his paintings—artist Eric Dowdle is famous for including whimsical details, like a tiny Chewbacca head in the flag on the Acadia puzzle! (See the image in the gallery above! RRWWWGG)
*Note that Dowdle offers a full line of puzzles, including traditional cardboard versions, the unique Boardwalk brand, and licensed Disney Dowdle puzzles.
🧩 Ready to experience the refined nostalgia of Dowdle’s wooden art?
Check out the selection of Dowdle jigsaw puzzles available on Amazon by clicking below!