Farm Animal Puzzles

Puzzles are something I have been trying to add to our activities, sometimes it is a success and sometimes the kids just aren’t interested. This week I tried a new approach and made our own BUT also in a theme that was appealing to my kids, especially my one son. Farm Animals!

Supplies to make farm animal puzzles:

Jumbo craft sticks (6 per puzzle)
Tape to hold them together (i use electrical tape; its the only one the kids never steal!)
White school glue
A paintbrush to spread glue
Printable with farm animals (I made some)
X-Acto knife or similar

Directions:

Lay out 6 jumbo craft sticks and tape together in a line with your tape. This is to make sure that the sticks don’t move and to mostly keep the glue from getting between them. So make it tight! Next glue the image onto the craft stick canvas. Spread glue on your sticks and thin out with a paint brush. Apply image and smooth out to get maximum glue coverage.
Set these to dry on a flat surface. Usually overnight.
Once dry you might notice that some of the puzzles became warped from drying. This is not an issue as you are about to cut them. 😀
Now gently fold the sticks in on each other. picture-to-picture.

Use your knife to cut the paper neatly in between. Keep trimming until the sticks come apart. Use your knife once more to trim splinters off if there are any on the edges.

TIP: Write the name of the puzzle on the back of the craft sticks so you can easily find each selection! I use a rubber band to store my puzzles in a neat pack.