Monday, August 25, 2008

Storybook Puzzle Blocks

To make these block puzzles you need 6 unfinished wooden blocks, mod podge, and storybooks that you don't mind cutting. I made a similar puzzle using pictures from O's 1s birthday party about a year ago, and I planned on using photos to make another one. Then I decided to do something a little different, and I hope she'll really like it :) We have several old children's books that have torn pages that I've been saving for a project, and I bought several elementary literature textbooks (25 cents each) for various projects. I decided they would be perfect for this! The books featured on the blocks are Frog and Toad (one of my childhood favorites), Little Bear (another favorite of mine), Goodnight Moon (O's favorite), Madeline, The 3 Little Bears, and Curious George. These blocks will be a Christmas gift for O, and I'll probably give them to her as an advent gift. I'm planning on putting clues in our advent calender and have her search (with my help of course!) for her gifts which will be hidden in the house. Hopefully, most of the advent gifts will be homemade!
at

19 comments:

  1. ReneeSeptember 2, 2008 at 11:59 AM

    Just wanted to come by and tell you what wonderful ideas you have. I also wanted to know if you had specific directions on the puzzle blocks?

    This looks like a great present for my 2 yr. old this Christmas. Along with homemade tree blocks rubbed with beeswax and lavender EO.

    I am making EO scented playdough in next week. Should be fun and frugal as well!

    I will have to start the muffin tin Moday. Although my muffin tins are very worn. I would be embaressed to show a picture. Maybe I can find some this week at Salvation Army.

    Take care!
    Renee
    Mama to four- 14,6,4,and 2 yrs.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gidget Girl ReadingSeptember 2, 2008 at 12:17 PM

    so cute i might have to make some for my little 1 year old nephew for christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2008 at 12:23 PM

    Way cool idea! You have some great ideas. I have made these with photos, but hadn't thought of this variation. I like the idea very, very much. I think they would be a neat addition to my classroom to show different favorite stories we've read.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LisaSeptember 2, 2008 at 12:25 PM

    Awesome Blog!! I have a "Teaching your Child to Read" blog - but yours is so much cuter :)

    I remember having these puzzles when I was little. I believe there were 9 blocks (to make a 3x3 pattern). Each side also came with a sheet of the finished picture, I guess in case you had a hard time figuring out which piece went were. Like this (since my explanation is weak)

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Child-s-Old-WOODEN-BLOCK-JIGSAW-PUZZLE-BLOCKS-with-pics_W0QQitemZ250287570119QQihZ015QQcategoryZ84442QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem.

    I loved my blocks when I was little and I love the stories that you picked pictures from!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2008 at 12:52 PM

    Wow, this is a fantastic idea. I've linked to it on my blog because I'm doing a whole week on Cheap & Easy homemade toys. This is so right up my alley.

    I can't wait to get to the thrift store and find some books for this. My son is loving for me to read Frog and Toad books to him right now so the picture immediately grabbed my attention.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. MelissaSeptember 2, 2008 at 2:18 PM

    Renee- I just found pictures that were about the size that I needed for all 6 blocks and cut out the pictures. Then I placed a block on the picture, traced around it, and cut it out. I did this 6 times to get the 6 squares. I had to do a little trimming because the pictures were often a little bigger than the blocks. I used mod podge to glue the pics to the blocks, then covered them with 2 layers of mod podge to protect them. Hope that makes sense! Let me know if you have any more questions. I'm going to make texture boards now while O is sleeping!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2008 at 5:37 PM

    Melissa,

    Quick Question. What size blocks dd you use. 2 inch? Or bigger? Did you order from Casey's Wood or find them in a B&M store somewhere?

    ReplyDelete
  8. ibeeegSeptember 2, 2008 at 7:34 PM

    Hi. I have to tell you that I love your blog. I visit it frequently as I love your ideas. I really like the block idea and am going to present this idea to my husband for us to make. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnneSeptember 2, 2008 at 10:46 PM

    What a great idea! I love puzzle blocks - and even better, yours are connected to beloved stories (I love Little Bear and Frog and Toad - do you remember Frances the badger?). I can't wait to try making these! Also, I love that you're making texture boards! What are you using for texture?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Angie @ Many Little BlessingsSeptember 2, 2008 at 11:04 PM

    What a fabulous idea! Love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. CalinaSeptember 3, 2008 at 6:53 AM

    We just finished a Frog & Toad unit study. These blocks would have been perfect. Here's a link for anyone interested

    http://love2-bhome.blogspot.com/2008/08/frog-and-toad-together-unit-study.html

    Can you give instructions on how to make the blocks?

    ReplyDelete
  12. CalinaSeptember 3, 2008 at 6:54 AM

    Sorry, I just seen that you did already put the directions.

    ReplyDelete
  13. BeckySeptember 3, 2008 at 8:29 AM

    I wanted to come by and thank you for your great tips and ideas for projects! They are wonderful and I can't wait to do them with my own daughter.

    I was lucky enough to stumble on your blog and now its in my Google reader!!

    Thanks again!!
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  14. MelissaSeptember 3, 2008 at 2:08 PM

    Jonah Lisa- I think they are 1.5, but they are 2 inch at the most. These blocks came from either Hobby Lobby or Michael's, but I've ordered from Casey's before, and the blocks are identical.

    ReplyDelete
  15. MelissaSeptember 3, 2008 at 2:09 PM

    A- I just wrote the texture boards post, but it won't be up for a week or so. I've used fleece, velcro, lentils, etc for textures. I've run out of boards, but I'm planning on making many more. It was a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  16. MelissaSeptember 5, 2008 at 1:08 PM

    thanks for sharing the book idea with puzzle blocks. I have done photos but never books, this would make a nice gift for kids this year.

    ReplyDelete
  17. JenniferSeptember 6, 2008 at 9:40 PM

    Amazing. My mind is a flutter with ideas for my Pretty Girl. I'm going to be doing this one for Christmas for a few of the munchkins in my life.

    Also, thanks for getting me thinking about saving back some of my creative things until Christmas.

    Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. WendySeptember 17, 2008 at 5:08 PM

    Fabulous!! I know what I'll be doing tonight!!
    Great gift idea, too!
    I might do some with modge-podged photographs as well. What kid doesn't love to look at himself? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousOctober 7, 2008 at 11:00 PM

    Thank's for the brilliant idea!I live in Jakarta/Indonesia; and there's little choices for toy shops that sells educational toys.

    ReplyDelete