How to Make Your Own Children's Jigsaw Puzzles

Your Child's Drawings

• 1

  Purchase blank puzzle forms for your child to create a puzzle (see Resources for one option). These are inexpensive and come in a variety of piece sizes to match the age of your child.

• 2

  Talk to your child about what kind of picture she would like on her puzzle. If your child is under seven, it is a good idea to talk about what she will draw and let her practice on a regular piece of paper. Once she has a basic design, give her the blank puzzle to begin her creation.

• 3

  Encourage your child to draw large shapes with lots of color onto the blank puzzle. This will make putting the puzzle back together much easier.

• 4

  Let your child take the puzzle apart once he has completed the picture.

• 5

  Challenge her to put the puzzle back together again. Offer assistance only when needed.

Educational Activities

• 6

  Provide your child with a blank puzzle and have him write the alphabet using brightly colored markers. Provide a copy of the alphabet if your child does not yet know how to write the entire alphabet from memory. Be sure to name the letters as he writes them. Take the puzzle apart and challenge him to put it back together.

• 7

  Write the alphabet in large bold letters and let your child color the letters in with markers. Take the puzzle apart and ask her to put it back together. This will teach sequencing of the alphabet, recognition of letters and develop fine muscles.

• 8

  Use blank puzzles to teach sequencing and word recognition. Write a short nursery rhyme on the blank puzzle. Read the rhyme with your child. When he is able to recite the rhyme, take the puzzle apart and have him put it back together. Encourage him to look for the appropriate words and not just the shape of the puzzle pieces.

• 9

  Draw a surprise picture on a blank puzzle when your child is not at home. Write down some hints about the picture. Provide hints to your child as she puts the puzzle together. Be sure the hints will help her figure out the scene, but do not make them so easy that she will guess it before putting together the puzzle. Encourage your child to make guesses while she puts the puzzle together. If she guesses the picture before it is completed, offer her a small prize or special treat. This will encourage your child to listen to clues, make predictions and adjust her guesses to fit what she sees.

• 10

  Keep puzzle time fun and entertaining even when teaching academic skills. Your child will have fun and learn at the same time.