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August 30, 2011 | 21 Comments

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.

Filed Under: David Shannon Books, Preschool Crafts, Puzzles | 21 Comments

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21 Comments

  1. Toddler Approved says

    August 30, 2011 at 12:48 am

    Love this. This is always our problem with puzzle projects. I need to go buy some of these magnetic sheets. I always try to use velcro and it still just doesn’t sit right. This looks like it works great. Fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing!

    Just shared this on our Facebook page.

    to Toddler Approved" aria-label='reply to this comment to Toddler Approved'>reply to this comment
  2. beansprouts says

    August 30, 2011 at 7:18 am

    thank you for inspiring me to do more with magnets! and a cookie sheet is just a marvelous way to get that magnetic base.

    to beansprouts" aria-label='reply to this comment to beansprouts'>reply to this comment
  3. Marnie @ Carrots are Orange says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Awesome!!! I’m all over this one! thanks again allie!

    to Marnie @ Carrots are Orange" aria-label='reply to this comment to Marnie @ Carrots are Orange'>reply to this comment
  4. Julie says

    August 30, 2011 at 8:12 am

    thanks so much for publishing this and all your other amazing stuff. I’m a homeschool mom of 3, with one on the way. This is the first year of preschool for my youngest and as I was a High School teacher before this for 13 years I was in desperate need of some preschool help. My daughter and I both love all your activities and my older two beg to do them with us. Keep them coming!

    to Julie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Julie'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      August 30, 2011 at 12:21 pm

      Thank you so much!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  5. Alana says

    August 30, 2011 at 9:18 am

    What a great idea. Pieces moving is often a source of frustration in our home.

    to Alana" aria-label='reply to this comment to Alana'>reply to this comment
  6. laura says

    August 30, 2011 at 9:43 am

    A great idea to use for those book jackets that I never know what to do with.

    to laura" aria-label='reply to this comment to laura'>reply to this comment
  7. Shannon says

    September 27, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    This is a great idea. Especially since the biggest issue I’ve found with homemade puzzles is that they don’t stay together very well. Thanks.

    to Shannon" aria-label='reply to this comment to Shannon'>reply to this comment
  8. Rebekah @ The Golden Gleam says

    January 2, 2012 at 6:37 am

    Great idea for making use of a torn book!! Great post post to link up at the Best of 2011 Blog Party. Happy New Year!

    to Rebekah @ The Golden Gleam" aria-label='reply to this comment to Rebekah @ The Golden Gleam'>reply to this comment
  9. Mama Pea Pod says

    January 2, 2012 at 8:42 am

    Ooh, what a great idea! Love this and pinning immediately! Thanks for linking it up to the 2011 Best Ideas for Kids blog hop!

    to Mama Pea Pod" aria-label='reply to this comment to Mama Pea Pod'>reply to this comment
  10. Katherine says

    March 3, 2012 at 5:39 am

    This is a wonderful idea! I wish I had thought of this when I was still teaching and constantly had ratty books lying around. Thanks for sharing your great ideas!

    to Katherine" aria-label='reply to this comment to Katherine'>reply to this comment
  11. Kate says

    September 9, 2018 at 11:00 pm

    Creative DIY project. It is great to teach your kids do it.

    to Kate" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kate'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Magnetic Puzzle | MPM School Supplies Blog says:
    August 30, 2011 at 11:05 am

    […] problems getting puzzle pieces to stay put? We love this homemade magnetic puzzle idea we found at No Time For Flash Cards – it’s the great learning activity minus the […]

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  2. Learning, Creating, Building Healthy Habits Early « Carrots Are Orange says:
    September 9, 2011 at 8:30 am

    […] Finally, we’ll be making a puzzle from the cover of “How Dinosaurs Eat Their Food” based on an activity created by No Time For Flashcards. […]

    to Learning, Creating, Building Healthy Habits Early « Carrots Are Orange" aria-label='reply to this comment to Learning, Creating, Building Healthy Habits Early « Carrots Are Orange'>reply to this comment
  3. Books Beyond Repair « Growing Book By Book says:
    February 20, 2012 at 4:06 am

    […] is another Pinterest idea from No Time for Flashcards.  I love the idea of using a book cover cut into puzzle […]

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  4. Easy DIY Magnetic Puzzle | Dollar Store Mom Frugal Fun – Crafts for Kids says:
    August 11, 2012 at 11:00 am

    […] puzzle-loving gene, and I want to support her interests and curiosities! I saw this project from No Time for Flashcards and I know the beauty of this magnetic puzzle is that it makes it easier for little hands to get […]

    to Easy DIY Magnetic Puzzle | Dollar Store Mom Frugal Fun – Crafts for Kids" aria-label='reply to this comment to Easy DIY Magnetic Puzzle | Dollar Store Mom Frugal Fun – Crafts for Kids'>reply to this comment
  5. Tutorial: Dust Jacket Puzzles « Cinnamon&Sassafras says:
    August 23, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    […] should note that this is partly inspired by a tutorial I saw on how to make a magnetic puzzle out of a book cover or other illustration. I opted not to do […]

    to Tutorial: Dust Jacket Puzzles « Cinnamon&Sassafras" aria-label='reply to this comment to Tutorial: Dust Jacket Puzzles « Cinnamon&Sassafras'>reply to this comment
  6. Jigsaw puzzle back to basics play | Rainy Day Mum says:
    August 25, 2012 at 3:05 am

    […] stay put puzzle from No Time for Flashcards is brilliant – I have recently brought some magnetic pinter paper […]

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  7. 25 ways to play with puzzles | free brain teasers and more to celebrate national puzzle day says:
    January 24, 2014 at 1:29 pm

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  8. 50 Handmade Toys for Kids | Handmade Zoo says:
    December 29, 2014 at 11:02 am

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  9. 30 Creative, Easy and fun ways to make DIY puzzles for kids says:
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    […] Puzzles made with your kid’s favourite book cover […]

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