Learn Shapes and Colors with Craft Stick Puzzles


My daughter is so into puzzles right now. I wanted to make a puzzle where she could also practice her shapes and colors. I am a pretty proud mama because my daughter knows tons of colors and shapes including pentagons and octagons. Being a former teacher I always reinforce what she already knows. Instead of just putting photos on the craft sticks like I have seen all over the place I decided to put shapes and colors.


Supplies
  • craft sticks
  • white glue
  • tape
  • foam brush
  • old credit card
  • exacto knife
  • printables 1 and 2
Directions
  1. Click on each printable and save. Open up the file, click on print and chose the fit option. Cut each shape out. 
  2. Place 11 craft sticks side by side and tape together so that they don't move around. You want to leave a slight little space in between each stick so that they are easier to cut apart. 
  3. Place glue on back of shape and spread evenly with the foam brush. 
  4. Center onto taped craft sticks.
  5. Use credit card to smooth out the shape onto the craft sticks. 
  6. Let dry for at least 30 minutes. 
  7. Use the exacto knife to cut each stick apart. 
  8. Repeat steps 3-7 for the remaining shapes. 
I like to mix all of the puzzles together and have her sort them by color first. Then I help her work on each puzzle.



 photo MichelleSIG_zpsa90bb9e7.png

Pin It

30 comments

  1. I love this! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing. Going to do this with my son.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have not seen a Popsicle stick project in a long time! Very fun and creative!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is such a cute idea! Would be easy to do and you could certainly personalize it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Genius. A great toy to carry in your bag too to entertain kids at queues and waiting rooms. The possibilities are endless.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a great craft because it provides the flexibility to match the puzzle images with whatever interests or goals your child has. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a very smart idea, best part is that it's simple to do.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great idea! I am a big fan of file folder games, so this is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing this!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is such a great idea! I'm going to try it with my 3 yera old daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's super practical. Great idea for teaching problem solving! And, all for the cost of just some popsical sticks and 30cents of toner cartridge

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is amazing! My son knows his shapes already but the possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can make with these, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is great. Thanks for the idea. I will have to try these with my kiddos.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That's such a cute idea. I'm sure my kids would enjoy putting the shapes together!

    ReplyDelete
  13. My daughters just learning her shapes, this would be a great activity to do with her! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. That's such a simple but excellent idea. There are a lot of sticks, so those will be tricky which is even better!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love how easy these are! My kids would have a blast with these.

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a simple idea that would work wonders! My daughter loves puzzles - we'll be doing this for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a great way to use craft sticks. I love this project, and the kids will too!

    ReplyDelete
  18. very creative and it would be a great excuse to get a box of popsicles!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is a really neat and creative idea. Now I need to get Popsicle sticks!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have made these puzzles for my kids before using different photo's, they are so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great idea. I always love your ideas! :) I have done this with pictures before but never shapes. Great teaching tool!

    ReplyDelete
  22. wow that's such a fun and creative idea.. gonna share this with my sis who has a 2-year old.. thanks for this..

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great idea for all those used Popsicle sticks. I too haven't seen them in a long time. ~ Don Purdum

    ReplyDelete
  24. What A Great Idea Have Fun While Learning & EASY To Make Love I tThank You The Kids Will Have Fun Learning!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. These are darling. I am going to make them with letters for my almost kindergartener!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Excellent idea! I love this because families have budgets to work with, and still want to engage their children in creative and fun ways. I'm going to show my sister-in-law this neat page. Hopefully we can comment with future positive results!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great post! This is definitely a great idea and easy to do!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is a great one indeed! I love how creative and not so hard this one is!

    ReplyDelete
  29. this is such a great thing for kids to learn with crafts! nice idea!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great idea! I love doing little projects like this with my kids.

    ReplyDelete