With many people spending most, if not all&nbsp;of their time at home thanks to pandemic lockdowns, a lot of us may be learning new hobbies —&nbsp;or taking up old ones, like jigsaw puzzles.

David Manga, owner of Outset Media Games and the Cobble Hill Puzzle company based in Victoria, B.C., says puzzles have been flying off the virtual shelves of his online store.

"It's like puzzles are the new toilet paper," he told 

Manga says sales "jumped astronomically" about three weeks ago, suggesting to him that it's related to everyone staying home looking for things to while away the time.

But "on the flipside," he said, the manufacturing facility that actually makes the puzzles has also shut down because of the virus.

"So we have no puzzles coming in and lots and lots of puzzles going out."

'It's almost like it's the next toilet paper': Jigsaw puzzles see surge in popularity during pandemic

Aaron Williams doesn't fit the typical demographic of an avid jigsaw puzzler. But a trip to Puzzle Master in Saskatoon a couple of years ago got the 27-year-old hooked on jigsaw puzzles. Now everyone is doing jigsaw puzzles.

Puzzles are being rediscovered by so many people supplies are running low.

Scenic puzzle 

Puzzles are being rediscovered by so many people that supplies are running low.

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Spotted any of these on your social media feed during COVID-19?

Sourdough

With everyone trapped at home with time to kill, and every trek to the grocery store requiring a risk assessment, it would seem to follow that people have taken it upon themselves to bake like they're the sole boulangerie in a small French town. But the answer may be more complicated than that.

Cobble Hill's website has temporarily stopped taking orders until the company is able to replenish its stock. Other puzzle manufacturers, including Ravensburger and Eurographics, have also had to suspend online sales.

Manga isn't surprised that people are turning to familiar hobbies like jigsaw puzzles right now.

David Manga says he was surprised that all types of puzzles have become fast sellers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Christmas and other seasonal sets.

Cobble Hill Christmas puzzles

"It's something that you can do on your own, away from a screen and it's a good way to pass time when you're locked in your house&nbsp;... At the end of the day, it's something that people are familiar with, something that's comforting," he said.

"I hope people who do our puzzles will actually be able to relax a bit, and not worry about what's going on."

Written by Jonathan Ore. Interview produced by Laurie Allan.

This jigsaw puzzle of 'a sea of donuts' is Cobble Hill Puzzles' most popular item, according to owner David Manga.

Cobble Hill donuts puzzle 02

About a month ago David Manga of Cobble Hill Puzzles noticed an upswing in the sale of jigsaw puzzles. Today the company is so overrun they've stopped selling puzzles online because they can't keep up.

Jigsaw puzzles among the latest must-have items for pandemic shoppers

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