Puzzles are fun toys that help kids with spatial development and motor development.  Some studies have shown playing with puzzles at an early age helps kids mentally transform objects (a skill needed in science and math careers) when they are older.

1. Get calendar or magazine pictures.  It is best to use large pictures of familiar objects.  I used animals.
2. Glue pictures onto colored card stock.  This is for durability and sort-ability (that’s a word, I swear).
3. Draw puzzles pieces with a ruler on the card stock and cut out.  That’s it!

Note:  I’d say a two-piece puzzle is good for a one-year old, 4 pieces for a two-year-old, 6 pieces for a three-year-old, and so on.  Of course it depends on the kid and the picture.

If you use different colors of paper for the back, it doesn’t matter if the puzzles get mixed up.  They can be easily sorted by color….which is another great activity for little ones!

My favorite part is all six puzzles fit into a ziploc bag!  Now it is super easy to store at your house, or toss in your purse for a waiting-at-a-restaurant activity.

Materials:

• calendar or magazine
• scissors
• pencil
• ruler (or freehand if you are really wild and crazy)
• baggie

Time investment:  about 30 minutes

Difficulty:  Easier than baking cookies…and less calories, too!