January 29th is National Puzzle Day! I am a huge fan of puzzles. Give me Tetris any day. On vacations, I bring along a new puzzle to relax, usually paired with a nice Cabernet. Most adults think of puzzles as something to take up time, but did you know that the simple act of puzzle play in children helps to boost the learning in important math-related skills? Skills such as spatial vocabulary, sequencing, problem solving, task completion, and fine motor skills are just a few benefits to incorporating puzzles into your child’s play. We have compiled a list of 10 DIY puzzle ideas to celebrate National Puzzle Day!
- Heart Number Puzzles by KiwiCo: If you want to prepare an activity for Valentine’s Day, here is an easy one to make. Bonus, you can practice number recognition or addition/subtraction!
- Matching Game by Happy Hooligans: Grab whatever toys are around and trace their outlines. This can be made to be as easy or as complicated as you would like.
- Recycling Cards to Puzzles by Kidsactivities.com: If you’re like me, you have a stack of cards piling up. Instead of tossing them out, cut the front of the card into puzzle pieces! For younger children, make the pieces relatively large. For older children, make the pieces smaller and more intricate.
- Popsicle Stick Photo Puzzles by Red Tricycle: Print out a picture and cut them to fit on the popsicle sticks. Glue them on the sticks. Voila, you have a puzzle! You can make them as easy or as challenging as you would like.
- Lego Picture Pieces by I Can Teach My Child: This is similar to the popsicle stick photo puzzle above, but with Duplo Blocks. You can use regular Lego pieces with older children.
- Paint Chip Puzzles Happily Ever Mom: Run over to your closest home improvement store and grab some free paint chips. Have your child draw a picture, or you can, on the chips. Then, cut them up for your child to piece back together!
- Popsicle Stick Number Puzzles Make, Take, and Teach: Similar to the popsicle stick photo puzzle above, you can also teach number recognition by writing numbers on the bottoms to the sticks for your child to put in order.
- Rainbow Puzzle by Teach Me Mommy: Kids love rainbows, so this one made with a paper plate should be a hit!
- Moon Phases by What Do We Do All Day: Interested in teaching your kids about the phases of the moon? Draw the moons on paper with the different phases for the kids to match up with the missing pieces.
- Glue the Missing Parts Puzzle by In the Playroom: Using colored paper, cut out a shape and glue on to paper with a piece missing. Then, your child will match up the missing piece to its corresponding shape!
Love putting together puzzles?
Share the puzzles that you are completing with your kids on social with #MomsAroundLouisville!
