How to Make a Puzzle for a Toddler

Puzzles for toddlers can be simple and stimulate their minds and hands.

Puzzles are ideal fun and educational toys for toddlers. Puzzles stimulate their sense of touch and sight with colors, textures and shapes. Puzzles exercise the basic problem-solving skills of young children and help them work their fine motor skills. While toy stores or baby boutiques will have a range of eye-catching, soft and colorful puzzles for your toddler, there's really no reason why you can't create such a simple toy yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Photograph
• Color copy machine
• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Non-toxic spray adhesive
• Empty wood thread spools

Instructions

1. Take a photograph of your toddler and make a color copy of it, enlarging it to approximately 8.5 inches by 11 inches.

2. Cut a piece of cardboard to the exact same dimensions as your enlarged picture. Spray the cardboard with a non-toxic adhesive spray, until you've coated it well.

3. Press your enlarged picture on top of the cardboard. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. Cut the cardboard into four or five large puzzle pieces.

4. Glue a small empty wooden thread spool to the top of each puzzle piece with a hot glue gun. Allow the glue to dry for at least 12 hours. The spools will act as knobs for your toddler to grab onto.

References

• Eduguide; Toddler Crafts: Make a Puzzle; Jane Platcher