I hope the short people who received homemade Christmas gifts from me a few weeks ago are having as much fun using them as I had making them. I’m not sure what inspired me to make wooden block puzzles for my kids and three of my nephews, but like usual, I procrastinated on the project and found myself feverishly creating these gifts just a couple days before our gift exchange back in December.
The first step was to sew little muslin drawstring bags for storing the block puzzles. I then painted each child’s initial on the corner of the bag with acrylic paint so they could tell their bags apart.
Sewing the bags was quick and easy, but making the puzzles took MUCH more time. One evening after the kids were in bed, I sat down at the computer and started doing Google image searches for all kinds of fun pictures to put on the puzzles. Since I was making five puzzles with six photos each, I needed up to 30 photos.
The photos needed to be (1) age appropriate, (2) different enough from the other photos on the child’s puzzle, (3) high enough resolution to be usable, and (4) suitable for making a square or rectangular puzzle.
The two older kids received block puzzles that were 3 by 4 cubes (12 blocks total), while the younger kids received 3 by 3 (9-block) puzzles that were a bit easier. I used a few of the images on multiple puzzles, so I ended up with 26 different images.
I printed out my images onto photo paper, then coated the paper with Mod Podge to make it a bit more durable. (Mod Podge is a glue/sealer that you brush on.) The next step was the most tedious. I cut all 30 pictures into 1-inch squares with an x-acto knife and a ruler so I could attach them to the wooden blocks. That’s 306 little 1-inch squares.
Three. Hundred. Six.
I attached the squares to the wooden blocks with Mod Podge, being very careful to stay super-organized so I always knew which squares were destined for which puzzle. I set up a little assembly line and attached one picture to a set of puzzle blocks, then attached one picture to the next set, and so on. Before I attached a new picture to a set of blocks, I made sure to mix up the blocks in that set and turn them all around so that the placement of the little squares was totally random.
It was a tedious process and took much longer than I expected, but I was very happy with the results. Here is one of the 9-block puzzles:
You didn’t know Lightning McQueen was lurking in there, did you? Bonus points if you can figure out what the other five images are in this block puzzle.
I wanted the puzzles to be challenging enough without being so difficult that the kids got frustrated, and I tried to choose trickier pictures for the puzzles for the older kids.
I couldn’t believe how long it actually took me to put this one together!
It was fun to make these wooden block puzzles, and it’s fun to see the kids work on their puzzles (they’re great quiet toys for church!), but I can’t say I’m eager to make another one any time soon!
Hi! I'm Rachel, and I'm so glad you're here. I make creative projects and intentional choices to create a life I love -- and I hope to inspire you to do the same! 
Lightning McQueen. Phillies? Eagles? Buzz Lightyear? Nemo? I need to phone a friend for the last one! That was quite an undertaking!
These are amazing!!! I am totally inspired. Great job!
Oh, I got here from Modge Podge Rocks. 🙂
Adorable! I love the sign language one! This would be a neat idea for my nieces and nephews.
wow! fantastic!
Those are awesome! I wish I were ambitious enough to try to copy you.
Love it! I will definately need to try this one day when my patience isnt thin! 😉 Great job
Nancy: I’m impressed! The other one is Woody from Toy Story. You can see his yellow and red plaid shirt on one of the cubes in the completed puzzle.
Jessica: This is the first time I used Mod Podge, but I agree that it rocks.
Melissa Ziggy Cook: I only included the sign language letters in the puzzles for the older two kids (age 7 and 8), and of course I picked the letter that was their first initial.
MamaToHailey&Cohen: Thanks!
jennifer kirby: Would it sound easier if I said you can just cut up six photos and glue them on some wooden blocks from Michael’s? 🙂
mollymoocreations: I’d recommend making just one to start with, not five like I did… yikes.
amazing. my boys love them 🙂
Very cool gifts. But wow…it sounds daunting to me.
You aMAZE me….I could never come up with things like this. I think you should write a book 🙂 Maybe I can hire you to make something like this for my boys!!
Design Elements: The best part is that you could customize them to feature images of things YOUR boys love!
Ally: Making five was daunting, but making just one at a time wouldn’t be too bad.
Sarah: If you REALLY want to be inspired, you should check out Made By Joel. He makes such amazing toys for his kids!