Stay Put Puzzle

As you may know especially if you have a preschooler, frustration is learning’s enemy. Challenging is positive but when you cross into frustration with many kids the activity is all but lost. A few simple adjustments can make all the difference, like adding magnets to your puzzle, so pieces stay right where you put them. I was sent a box of crafty supplies from Craftprojectideas.com these magnetic sheets were the first thing to catch my eye. I immediately knew what I was going to do with them. Using a book cover is a fun activity for an author’s studies

1. Gather your materials. I decided to make the puzzle out of a book that recently got ravaged by a baby girl who we will not name. We luckily had two copies so I decided to use it for this, you could also use a print out of a picture, cereal box etc…  you will also need some magnetic sheets and scissors. Also a cookie sheet to complete the puzzle.
2. Start by cutting your cover or picture to size .
3. Now it’s time for peeling and sticking the magnet sheets on.
4. Cut the pieces, I did some huge so it’s not too tricky and a few smaller for a challenge.  I flipped the pieces over to better show the shapes. 
5. Invite your kids to read the book.
6. Show them the puzzle. My son was shocked I’d turned out favorite book into a puzzle.
7. He loved that even if the pieces didn’t all connect the magnets kept them where he wanted them.
8. Since they were stuck to the tray even if a certain book ripping baby came by to grab at it, the puzzle was unscathed.
9. Huge success on many levels, and totally easy to make.

David Shannon Books

Alice The Fairy is such a sweet book about a fairy who is still learning the ropes. I love the spells she casts and kids relate to her type of magic, I promise! I love that this book is about a fairy but not the Disney idea that we are so often bombarded with. It’s fresh, fun and I can’t wait for my daughter to enjoy doing more than using it as a teether because I know she will love it.

Duck on a Bike tickles my funny bone. I love this book, the message is awesome too. Just because it’s never been done before doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try! Also how cute is a duck riding a bike? The illustrations are amazing and your child will love the farm animals.

No, David! is probably the author’s best-known book, in it, we follow the misadventures of little David and his eventual disciplining and hug from his mom! This book is a wonderful gateway into talking about rules with a class, I have successfully used it as a reminder about rules and why we have them. Kids love watching other kids do naughty things, so this book is always a hit with toddlers on up.

Disclosure: As stated above I was sent the magnetic sheets free of charge to do with what I wished from Craftprojectideas.com , I have not been paid for this post.