Need a quick learning activity? You’ve got it, friend!
Inside this post, I’ll share exactly how to reuse an old puzzle to turn it into a fun, engaging activity for your preschooler. And, it will only take minutes to set up! Promise.
Ready for some easy fun? Let’s go!
Full disclosure: I threaten to donate our puzzles on the regular.
I mean, puzzles take up a lot of closet space. Pieces get lost. And, my kids lose interest pretty quickly…
Can someone tell me why I should keep puzzles around again??
OH, right.
Because puzzles are an amazing learning toy for my kids… (thank goodness I learned how to store puzzles properly now) but it’s no wonder that I’m always trying to earn my puzzle’s keep by dreaming up fun puzzle activities. I don’t just want to own a bunch of puzzles. I want to actually use them in fun and creative ways to help my kids to learn!
So, this activity?
This activity is going to motivate you to pull out those puzzles and help them to earn their keep in your house!
All you need is a puzzle and an empty kleenex box…
But before we get to how to set up this activity, we’ve gotta talk.
See, I know that this activity looks really simple.
(Psst…that’s because it is!)
But, don’t be fooled by how engaging this will be for your preschooler!
This Simple Learning Activity Changed Our Morning from Meltdown to Magic in Minutes
This past Saturday, I dreamed up this activity because I needed something FAST. My very cranky preschooler was in a MOOD. He was so upset that I was going the dishes (how dare I!), so I set this activity up right next to my feet while I worked in the kitchen.
I talked to him while he played, got my chore done, AND we BOTH walked away in a better mood.
That’s the power of play.
It’s not just a great learning tool for our kids, but it’s a great parenting tool:
- Use these simple activities to give your day structure.
- To help you when you need to get a quick chore done
- Or, to help keep all of your kids happy at home.
You’ll see how activities have the power to turn not just your child’s day around, but yours too!
Now, let’s get to how to set this up.
I’ve mentioned that this activity will take you two minutes or less to prep. And, it’s true.
Well…Unless you’re like me and you have a full box of tissues. Then, it might take you an extra minute to pull out all the kleenex and store them in a bag. Who needs a box anyway?!
Oh, that’s right… we do. HA!
Supplies for This Learning Activity
- A small puzzle
- Empty tissue box or small empty box
Tip: If you don’t have a kleenex box, any small box will do. An empty cereal box would work great too!
How to Set Up this Quick Learning Activity for Preschoolers
- Put all the small pieces in your empty tissue box.
- Tell your preschooler to pull one piece out at a time and find where the piece goes!
- Then, pull out another piece until you’ve completed the puzzle.
That’s it!
It doesn’t get more simple than this, but it couldn’t be more engaging for young kids to “find” the puzzle pieces and put their puzzle together.
When you try this activity, head over to Instagram and tell me how it goes. I’d LOVE to hear from you!!
Need more Inspiration?
I’ve got you covered! These are some of our favorite easy to set up, learning activities:
When our almost 14-month-old was younger we did a similar activity, but just with the box and toys. We don’t have any puzzles (first time mom fail!), but we cut shapes out of a cardboard box and drew outlines for where they go on another piece of cardboard. Never thought of putting the two activities together! Thanks for the tip!
Danielle @ Whether the Storm Blog
Hey Danielle, I feel the same way. How did I not think of this activity sooner?! It was a lifesaver this weekend and so easy!