Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Paper · The activity desk
Draw and Rebuild Picture Puzzle
Turn an original drawing into a simple puzzle to take apart and rebuild.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Sturdy paper or thin card, crayons, marker and scissors
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Set out a sheet of sturdy paper and crayons. An adult keeps the scissors until the drawing is ready.
Adult's role: Cut the picture into large pieces and support the child as needed while they rebuild it.
Let's make it happen
- Draw a bold picture with a few large shapes, such as a house under a sun.
- Ask an adult to draw two or three wavy lines across the picture and cut along them.
- Mix the pieces, then look for matching colors and lines to rebuild your picture.
Make it simpler: Cut the drawing into two large pieces and match them together.
Clean up: Keep the pieces in an envelope and put the crayons away.
An adult handles scissors and makes pieces large enough for the child to handle safely.