How to Solve The Story Orchestra Musical Puzzle – The Nutcracker

Quick answer

Assemble the 48 large pieces, then press the four special sound pieces to hear clips of Tchaikovsky’s original score. The included story poster adds context for young puzzlers.

Step-by-step assembly and play guide

1. Set up your workspace: Open the box on a flat, well-lit surface. Lay out all 48 pieces face-up. Keep the story poster handy for reference. A common mistake is skipping the poster; it shows the final image and helps younger solvers match shapes.
2. Sort the border pieces first: Find pieces with one or two straight edges and assemble the outer frame. This gives you a clear boundary for the rest of the puzzle. Don’t force a piece into a corner; if it doesn’t fit, set it aside for the interior.
3. Fill in the interior using color and pattern: Group pieces by color or character (e.g., the Nutcracker soldier, the Sugar Plum Fairy). Attach them to the frame section by section. If a piece seems to fit but the image looks wrong, try rotating it 90 degrees before moving on.
4. Identify the four sound pieces: Look for pieces that have a small speaker icon or a slightly thicker feel. They are scattered across the puzzle, not clustered in one area. Don’t press any sound piece until the puzzle is fully assembled; pressing early may misalign the mechanism.
5. Complete the puzzle and press to play: Place the last piece, then gently press each of the four sound pieces. You will hear clips of Tchaikovsky’s score. Use the story poster to follow along. If a piece doesn’t play a sound, check that it is fully seated and the battery tab has been removed from the compartment.

Product facts

• The Story Orchestra Musical Puzzle - The Nutcracker: When the puzzle is assembled, pressing four of the pieces triggers sound clips of an orchestra playing the original Nutcracker score. This turns the puzzle into an interactive story experience, perfect for keeping a child engaged after the last piece is placed.