I actually made these wooden puzzles and blocks as Christmas presents for my niece and nephews (I now have another adorable nephew, Ryder, and another nephew on the way as well). I knew they were a little on the young side to care about a puzzle with their name on it, and that they probably would care more about chewing on it or throwing the pieces instead of actually putting them together. But maybe someday they'll like it, or think it's sentimental.
I used my jigsaw to cut strips of a block of wood . . .
I used my jigsaw to cut strips of a block of wood . . .
. . . and used purple non-toxic acrylic paint to paint the strips.
Using scrapbook paper, stamps, and Mod Podge (all non-toxic), I made the design I wanted for the puzzle, and used Mod Podge to attach it to the wood strips. I then used a razor to cut the paper along the lines I had cut the wood. Then sealed the edges with more Mod Podge.
I did a similar thing for Taegan's puzzle. Just different shapes (obviously).
The Hardy's favorite family vacation spot is Colorado in the summer, where we all go hiking together. So I chose some Colorado-esque creatures for his puzzle.
I painted his blocks with red acrylic paint, then used Mod Podge to attach the creatures I had traced, along with his name.
Ezra was definitely too young for a puzzle, so I chose to get him blocks that spelled his name instead.
I again used blue acrylic paint, stamps, stencils, and Mod Podge.
All done!
As most young kids do, they opened them, then put them aside to move on to opening the next present. But hopefully they'll get some use out of them one of these days, when they start learning how to spell their names and put puzzles together.
(Not to worry - all the materials used were non-toxic.)
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