This is a guest post from Sandra Magsamen, author of I Love You, Honey Bunny.
My family and I have always loved a good puzzle. We typically take on a new puzzle during the holidays when we are all together and have a little extra time on our hands. Now, as the weeks of Covid-19 social distancing are turning into months, we decided it was time to break out the puzzles for a little unexpected extended family time.
One way to make puzzles even more satisfying and fun is to create them yourselves! Here are five super easy and creative ideas for you and your little ones to create your own puzzles using materials you probably already have in your own home!
Download the printouts here!
ABC’s and 123’s
This is a great puzzle for little one to practice basic counting and letter recognition while they play!
- Using the printout, allow your little one to color in the numbers page and the ABC one page.
- Glue each printout to a piece of cardboard (if your house is anything like mine, you have empty cereal boxes, cardboard boxes, or even old greeting cards, which are slightly thicker paper hidden away somewhere!) .
- Using scissors, cut out each puzzle piece.
Baa, Moo, I Love You!
Practice connecting animals with their corresponding sounds using this linear style puzzle!
- Using the printout, have your little one color in each animal and corresponding sound bubble.
- Glue each printout to a piece of cardboard (or your recycled alternative).
- Using scissors, cut out each puzzle piece.
Say Cheese!
Create a totally one of a kind family portrait puzzle!
- Choose any family photo (or take a new one!) and print the photo on a standard 8.5x11 piece of printer paper. If you have a photo that is already printed, go ahead and use that one.
- Glue the paper to a piece of cardboard (or your recycled alternative).
- With a pencil, help your little one create simple puzzle lines that you will use to cut out the photo.
- Using scissors, cut out each puzzle piece.
Tangram Puzzles
An ancient Chinese puzzle that was created thousands of years ago, there are hundreds of possibilities with a tangram puzzle! These 7 simple pieces allow little ones to create anything from a tree, to a bird, to a turtle and more!
- Using the printout, have your little one color each of the 7 pieces.
- Glue paper to a piece of cardboard (or your recycled alternative).
- Using scissors, cut out each tangram piece.
- Use your tangram pieces to put together some of the characters suggested in this blog or create your own! The options are endless!
You’re the Artist!
This puzzle allows your little one to let their creativity run wild!
- Using a piece of spare cardboard (it can be as big as you like!) have your little one paint the picture of their choosing. A bunny, a dog, a cat, a flower, a self-portrait – the options are endless!
- With a pencil, help your little one create simple puzzle lines that you will use to cut out this puzzle.
- Using scissors, cut out each puzzle piece.
