Brand History: Ravensburger

As the number one company in Europe for puzzles and handicraft products and the German market leader for games, Ravensburger is a brand that is trusted for its quality and innovative ideas.

The range of jigsaws, floor puzzles and activities featuring some of children's favourite characters including Frozen, Star Wars and Minions.

There are also a range of scenic jigsaws and 3D jigsaw puzzles of landmarks such as Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.

Let's look closer at the history of Ravensburger and how it became the brand it is today...

How It Began

Otto Maier laid the foundations for the brand in 1883, when he signed his first publishing contract to create guides and instruction manuals for building and craft trades. In 1884, the first game was developed named “Voyage round the World” which was a handcrafted and beautifully finished game modelled on Jules Verne's bestseller Around The World In 80 Days.

After this initial release, the range quickly grew with activities that followed the principle of learning through doing. This included card games, strategy games, books and children's art and craft kits.

In the 1980s, Ravensburger faced competition against their paper and cardboard products from the rise of electronic video games. The company took the innovation into it's stride and developed their range in a dual strategy technique – improving and refining their traditional range, whilst becoming strongly involved in the electronic and TV sector.

They started by founding a TV subsidiary in 1983 to produce family games with video cassettes about learning and play, followed by the development of a CD-ROM program with themes of both entertainment and education.

Today, Ravensburger Games are a household name, and are known for their varied designs and high quality puzzles.

The Ravensburger Range

There are hundreds of Ravensburger games in the range for different purposes and with different themes. The majority take on the learn by play approach which is something that proves particularly popular with parents when making decisions about their children's playtime and education. With a range of characters and popular film themes, Ravensburger puzzles are a great way to keep your child engaged and work their brains to develop problem solving initiatives.

• Disney

There are many Disney games and puzzles in the Ravensburger range suitable for all ages. You can choose from the classic characters such as Mickey & Minnie Mouse and the Disney Princesses to more modern popular cartoons like Doc McStuffins and Sofia The First. There are also a range of jigsaws featuring Pixar characters like Toy Story and Cars.

• Frozen

Undeniably one of the most popular Disney films of the past few years is Frozen. You can get almost anything with Elsa and Anna on it, so of course, the Frozen games are a popular addition to the Ravensburger range. A range of jigsaws are joined by dominoes, design kits, a Race To The Palace board game and a 3D jigsaw puzzle perfect for older fans.

• Minions

Another popular set of characters over the past couple of years are Minions. Despicable Me smashed the box office and in similar fashion to Frozen, seemed to build an empire beyond the film with thousands of pieces of Minion merchandise available on the market. If you're looking for something a little different to the usual puzzle, why not entertain the children with a 3D Minion Jigsaw or a 3D Big Ben puzzle featuring a Minion motif?

• Star Wars

Ever popular throughout all age groups, this range of Star Wars puzzles features characters from The Force Awakens. George Lucas' multi-film saga has made a significant impact on modern culture since the first film was released in 1977, so the range of games are always a good choice for any young fan.