Turn a Pizza Box Into Puzzle Fun For Ages 2-92!

My aunt, cousin and her 11 year old arrived for supper Friday night, 

so we popped a couple of frozen pizzas into the oven.

The colors and photos on the boxes seemed to whisper excitement and challenge into my thoughts. 

It seemed a shame to throw away such a valuable resource. This is what resulted...

One side of the box became a puzzle for a very young child...several large pieces. 

 Pieces for the puzzle beginner can be cut in any shape, any way. 

You may even want to just cut it straight down the middle for the toddler or young preschool child.

 

Puzzle Rule of Thumb...a few large pieces for young children and

many smaller pieces for older children and adults. 

You may need to start making the pieces larger and fewer again as the person becomes much older,  if fighting memory loss and finger flexibility.

The other side of the box became a fun game of lines and twists 

that older children/adults would consider a challenge.

Cut out a variety of many smaller pieces to challenge the puzzle loving adult in the family. 

What a great way to keep the brain stimulated for the older family member. 

Try to go across pictures so you can match up colors and patterns, as well as shapes.

Another pizza box front required an exploration of the cookie cutters. 

Various shapes were chosen to "hide" within the pieces of the puzzle. 

It is fun looking for shapes within the pieces.  Can you find the gingerbread man?

The final pizza box developed into an inlay puzzle.  Both the front and back of the box were cut out into equal size pieces.  Cookie cutters were used to trace shapes onto one piece.  These shapes were cut out with scissors and stored in a plastic ziploc bag.  Don't worry about cutting across the edges and between shapes.  You are going to glue this piece to the solid back piece of chipboard, which will seal those lines back in place.   After cutting out your pieces, use a glue stick to glue the front and back together.  Now your puzzle has a colorful front and back!  Attach the plastic bag filled with the puzzle pieces to the upper corner of the puzzle with a brass brad.

The back of your puzzle, can become another game of "letter search". 

Pick a letter and search the back.  You can look for colors, shapes, ingredients, etc. 

This would also be good to explore the parts of nutritional labeling. 

Compare to labels on other foods.

Pizza boxes are just ONE resource to consider when making puzzles. 

 Any chipboard food box will work. 

The Details

PUZZLE RESOURCES:  Besides chipboard food boxes, you can also use the fronts of old greeting cards, calendar pictures or photos.  If the calendar picture is too thin, glue it onto a piece of chipboard first (food boxes will work for this) before cutting out your shapes.  This could result in a double sided puzzle if you want!  What an exciting thought!

PUZZLE STORAGE:  You can store the puzzle pieces in a plastic bag or envelope.

Attach with a brass brad to the corner of the puzzle or tape three sides, with the opening at the top, to the back of the puzzle.

Fun boxes, tins, plastic food containers (clear plastic fruit boxes/whipped topping etc.) can also be used to store puzzles.

If you have two pictures the same, it is nice to keep one whole, so you can see the resulting picture.  Place it in the bag, envelope or container with the pieces. 

LABELING PUZZLES - Always label the container with a description of the resulting picture image, and the number of pieces in that puzzle.  If shapes are within the puzzle, list each shape in the description.

Older children like to make their own puzzles.  Let them decide how many and what shape pieces.  Use the puzzles as a contest.

Set the timer and see who completes their same number of pieces puzzle first.

Switch and start the time again.

VARIATIONS OF PUZZLE FUN

Puzzles are a fun way to leave a message for people or send a greeting in the mail.

It would be a lot more fun to learn of your weekly/daily chore assignment, if you had to put a puzzle together to find out!

Birthday, Holiday, Congratulations or "just because" greetings mailed to, or hidden in various places to be found, would be a lot of fun for your friends, family and loved ones. 

Design your message on the computer and print it on cardstock; or use the front of an old greeting card and add your additional message in colorful markers/pens.  Cut the message apart into pieces, place in an envelope, seal, address and mail!  Then let the fun begin.

Puzzles possess exceptional qualities for ages 2 to 92 years!

BENEFITS OF PUZZLES

1.  stimulates mental growth

2.  exercises the brain

3.  improves and increases memory

4.  studies have shown that anxiety is reduced and calmness increases in addition to physiological

     positive benefits.

5.  increases cognitive skills - colors, shapes, sizes, understanding of the concepts ON the puzzle

6.  increases whole-part relationships- understanding that a small unit forms a part of the whole

7.  provides experience in visual special awareness

8.  improves hand-eye coordination

9.  increases motor skills/refines fine motor skills that are needed in eating and writing

10. strengthens the concept of sorting

11.increases confidence upon completion 

12.increases concentration skills 

13.fosters cooperation/cooperative play and social skills

Plus... its a nice way to pass the time and it is just plain FUN!

Podcast: Family Time Series: "Time Out" with Immediate Application Ideas

Listen to a 20 minute audio "mini version" of the book, Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes. Can you guess how many ideas can be shared in 20 minutes? The book has more than 500 ideas that are adaptable, quick and easy to inspire you to make a magical moment with someone you love today!

Below is a link to a podcast of a presentation that is an example of the workshop/presentations that Becky has been doing for years (through 3 states) that inspired her book, Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes.

"Time Out" from the Family Time series by Dave Armstrong on May 20, 2012 included a 20 minute "rapid fire" presentation by Becky, exploring immediate application ideas of family activites. Dozens of quick, easy, fun ideas using materials around the house were explored.

Prepare to be inspired...parents, child care providers, preschool teachers, grandparents, aunts/uncles, neighbor to a child, even empty nesters were urged to create a magical moment.

Magical memories do not need lots of money or time to be created. Disconnect the electronic guests and let the true connections take place!



http://nickb.libsyn.com/webpage/2012/05/20See More

First Christian Church Washington, MO

nickb.libsyn.com

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Family Connection with a Bar of Soap, Tube of Lipstick and Paper!

Staying in touch and communicating with your loved ones does not always involve talking, texting or emailing.  Try a new creative approach! Watch hearts melt and relationships get stronger.

My husband left on a business trip today.  I secretly hid a card in the folds of one of his shirts.  Our tradition...a note or card for each day he will be gone.  Sometimes I hide a note, or I kiss a piece of paper and add a little note, then slip the kiss and message in unsuspecting places... in his shirt or pant pocket, in a shoe, inside the folded laptop computer or in the side of his briefcase.  

Then  at the most unexpected moments, he will know that I am thinking of him,

supporting him and love him.

This reminded me of the days when my kids were at home.  Until the day they left as adults on their own, a bar of soap, a tube of lipstick, a pad of stickee notes and pen composed

 my tools for staying connected.  These simple tools helped reassure my kids that they were loved, supported and had encouragement from me.

An appropriate message, written with a bar of soap, on the bathroom mirror is

 an excellent way to encourage your child or brighten their day. 

Maybe it's just to say "HI" or to say "I love you" to the tween or teen that is starting to bristle when you say it in person.  It might be an encouragement for that day's event:  test, game, competition, dance performance or music recital.

 Don't worry, it washes off and leaves a sparkling clean mirror on cleaning day.

You probably remember when you said "moooommmm!" and wiped off her morning kiss as you left the house.  When kids enter this stage, you can still show them affection with a different kind of kiss that has the same "I Love You" message. 

You can leave a kiss at the bottom of your mirror message. 

 Add a kiss to the bottom of a greeting card or just on a single piece of paper with a message. 

 Leave these tiny encouragers, support and affirmation of love in random places. 

Ideas? 

on the mirror, in a shoe, shirt/coat/pants pocket, in a backpack, on the rear view mirror or dash of the new driver's car, inside the cover of a textbook in a subject that is a struggle, randomly throughout a book on different pages...like the end of the chapter or on a page of difficult problems, inside a purse or wallet, on a pillow at night, on a dresser or front of the refrigerator.

Can you think of more exciting places?

Magnetic Fishing

Magnetic fishing inside can take on the form of entertainment or learning.  It is a fun activity not only for the littlest child, thrilled with the magnetic magic; but, also for the older child struggling in school with basic math facts, trying to memorize something, learning sight words or vocabulary words, or has an interest in magnetism.

Go fishing inside! Make a fishing pole.  Use a stick or dowel rod  with a piece of  yarn, string or cording tied to one end.  Next, tie a magnet on the end of the "fishing line".  Paper clips attached to paper pictures or index cards can easily be "caught" with the magnet "hook".  A blue sheet, towel or throw rug make an excellent lake, river, ocean or any type body of water you desire.   Masking tape placed on the floor can add the excitement of fishing from a "boat".  Or, you can fish from the "shoreline" around the "water". 

"Fish" can be made from pictures cut out of magazines, old calendars, greeting cards, computer clip art, photographs etc.  They can be laminated or covered with clear contact paper for greater stability and longevity.  A paperclip added makes it "catchable".

You can also catch things other than fish.  Any picture will do...you could "catch" animals, flowers, shells, sea creatures, leaves, action figures or people in the family.  You can use pictures of whatever your child/family is interested in.

Catching family members (photos with a paper clip attached) would be a fun way to teach family relationships.  Example:  Auntie Sherie, Daddy's sister; Grandpa Joe, Mommy's Daddy, etc. 

Catching animals, flowers, etc. is a fun way of learning the differences and names of those things.  Example:  the different types of leaves (oak, maple, etc.) or flowers (tulip, rose, daisy, carnation, etc.).

The younger child can catch things that are all one color or one shape.  Fill your "water" with pictures of a variety of everyday items.  Then go fishing for only the red things or things that are square, etc.

Magnetic Fishing helps with eye- hand coordination and creates interest in scientific principles behind magnetism. 

Fishing for School-Age Children

Learning becomes a game when incorporated with the fishing pond.  This is an easy, fun way to practice math facts, sight words, vocabulary words or memorize poems, Bible Verses, etc.

The multiplication table or addition and subtraction facts are good choices.  Attach a paper clip to flashcards and throw them into the "water".  Then, go "fishing".  

Procedure:  Catch a problem, solve the equation, then check your answer.  If you get it wrong, throw the fish (flashcard) back in the lake to catch another time.  If correct, you get to keep your catch!  Go "fishing" until you have gone through all the flashcards or have "fished" for a certain amount of time.

Make flashcards for sight words or vocabulary words and play with the same procedure.

Memorizing a poem or Bible verse is much easier when you fish for the right words.  Begin with the entire verse or poem written on a notecard.  Catch the card, then say what is written on the card.  Practice it without looking and throw the card back in.   Progress up to writing one line or one word on separate notecards.  Then fish for the poem or verse in order.  Put them all together and say your memorized selection.  Practice until you can say it completely from your memory.

Magic Carpet Ride

 dreamstime.com  photo

No one pretends, or has a more vivid imagination than a child!

Today, why don't you take  a trip on a magic carpet?  Any carpet rectangle, rug or even a towel (beach or regular) will do.

Pack a bag with the things you will need for your trip.  The items will depend on where you are going. 



Don't forget the binoculars (made from toilet paper tubes, rubber banded together.) and your "camera"(a block or old phone may serve this need).  Throw in a map (one you have made yourself or an old map), plus a few snacks and away you go.

Maybe it is a short trip and you don't need anything to travel to your dream place.  If so, have a seat, close your eyes and let the "trip" begin!  What do you see?  Are there people, animals, houses, cars?  What do you hear and smell?  Does the air feel different?  Is it hot or cold?  Windy?  Is the ride bumpy, smooth, rolling?  Make sure you fasten your seat belt and hold on for the ride!

You might want to use your magic carpet to notice all the things in the room that you haven't noticed .  Sometimes we rush through our daily routines so fast, that little things are overlooked.  Has that silk plant always sat in the corner?  Do you always have 5 pillows on the couch?  Did you know you were "decorating" with a spider web in the corner?  :-) 

As always, let the experts in creativity and imagination be your guide.  Listen and follow your child's lead, let yourself travel back to the joys of childhood and have fun!

Happy "traveling"!

How Far Is It?

After surgery one time I counted the steps to the kitchen, bathroom and living room from my bed.  It was amazing how far away some things seemed at that point in time!  So, I made daily goals to get farther and farther each day, until the bounce was back into my step!

Now, that made me think... wouldn't this be a fun game of prediction for kids?  Just for kicks and grins, everyone guess how far it is from point A to point B.  Then, with normal steps, find out who had the closest prediction.  Does it take mom or dad less steps to get someplace than sister or brother?  Why would that be? 

Do you know how many steps it is to the refrigerator from the couch?  Or, from the table to the sink?  How about from your bed to the bathroom? How many steps get you from downstairs to upstairs, or into the front door?  How far is it from the front door to the mailbox? How many steps are there from the front door to the backdoor...around your house or yard?  How many steps does it take to get from your house to the neighbors?  What other ideas can you think of?

This game of prediction can be played with anyone of walking age. With toddlers you may just walk with them and count as they take each step.  It can be played for as long as the attention span of the players.  Get ready for amazement as you discover if you are good at predictions. This is great counting practice too!

Name That Tune

Hey!  Can you name this tune?

This family activity can be played anywhere, anytime. 

One person hums a song.  The other people try to guess what the name of the song is.  Take turns until everyone has had a turn to hum.  Use songs that the audience will know.  Example:  Jesus Loves Me or Row, Row, Row Your Boat for the little ones.  For adults, how about show tunes?

Want a bigger challenge?  Just hum the first stanza.  Still too easy?  Just hum the first several notes. 

Variation:  If you have a piano or other instrument you can play the same game, only playing the notes on the musical instrument instead of humming.

Have fun singing a joyful noise!



Lightning Bugs

As evening approaches, out of the corner of your eye, you see a flash.  At first you ignore it and then you realize there is another one!  In that moment you realize that summer has arrived and is ready to perform its first presentation of the "evening lights"...the lightning bugs have arrived! 

As an adult you have flashbacks of carefree evenings spent collecting these amazing insects in jars of various shapes and sizes.  The running around and calls, "I got one!" fill your memories with a sigh of deep contentment.  You smile as you recall drifting off to sleep with the flashing jar sitting next to your bed as the evening's night light. The flash morse code telling a story that only the insects could understand. Ahh... the magical memories of childhood!

As a parent, you shout to the kids and race for a jar.  Chances are the kids probably noticed them first!  Then, the fun begins as you pass on this classic activity to yet another generation.

Are your kids really interested in this insect? Read up on why they flash. What do they eat? Where do they sleep? How long do they live? Why are they only present now? So many things to learn!

Today is a perfect day and the night promises to be beautiful.  Take a family moment and collect some lightning bugs. 

Remember, after you have caught and taught, release the bugs before you go to bed.

Mirror Image

I Love Lucy is one of my favorite sitcoms.  In season 4, episode #125 Lucy does a mirror act with Harpo Marx.  This scene was hysterical!  It also presents an idea for a great family activity opportunity.

After watching this scene it is easy to see how fun it would be to play a pretend mirror image game.  Any age, preschool and up, can enjoy this activity.

How to play: 

First decide who will be the mirror and who will "look into" the mirror.  After this has been decided, the person looking into the mirror makes various movements.  Examples:  right hand up, left hand up, smile, make a funny face, stick out your tongue, wave your right hand and then your left, turn your head to the left, then the right, slowly bring up your right knee, march in place, etc.   The person playing the mirror must imitate the other person's movements at the same time as they do them.

How sharp are your observation skills?  Can you keep up or are you always behind?  Can you anticipate the next movement?   Can you play without cracking up in laughter?  How long can you play without giggling?

This can be played with any willing person, in any place that allows loud bursts of fun and silliness.    Have fun!                                              

Funny Face Contest

 Kid love to make faces.  So, why not have a family funny face contest? 

Compete around the after-dinner table or on the back porch for some gut wrenching laughter.  This is a fun way to pass the time that will bring family members closer together.

For a different twist, delegate one person to take photos of each family member without the others looking.  Then line up the photos and have a contest.  Winner picks the next meal, tv show or game for family game night, etc.

Use the photos from the contest to randomly pass out to each other (like cards).  Then take turns hiding the photos around the house in surprise places.  Sit back and listen for the rolls of laughter.  Keep the picture you find and re-hide it in another place.  Continue until you have found each family members photo at least once.

Laughter is the best medicine!

Life Size Maze/City

Try this great idea from the website: Hands On: As We Grow 
http://handsonaswegrow.com/2012/05/alphabet-maze-learning-activity.html

 

Numbers and Alphabet - Travel through a giant maze made with masking tape. Find the end by following the numbers or letters. Sing the alphabet song, or count in order.  Make up your own song with numbers or letters to find your path to the end. 

 

How do I get from home to ?   Label the tape with name of streets/roads in your community or state. Use the maze as a way of following directions.  Pretend you are traveling from Grandma's house or school etc. and are driving home. This can be done with a play vehicle or walking.

 

 

Community -Use the maze as a town grid, creating a city with blocks. Drive on the maze "roads". Add trees (twigs stuck in clay or play dough), flowers (silk or real)  and small plastic animals.  Design your city to match your neighborhood.  "Drive" around with small play vehicles and "visit" neighbors, local businesses and places of fun.  Don't forget the park and local pool (small plastic container with water) or beach (cake pan with sand).  Add construction sites and farms.  Let your imagination go.  This community could provide months of play. Set it up in an area that can be left up for creative, continuous and expansive play each day.

 

 

If you are leaving the tape on the floor for longer than just one play time, the blue painter's tape is best. It comes off easily and doesn't usually leave a sticky residue behind.  If leaving it on the floor for an extended period of time I would make sure it is not in direct sun.

 

Who would think that a simple roll of masking tape could create so much fun?  I have a feeling this is only the start of fun with masking tape!