Make Olympic Puzzle

There isn't much we can talk about Olympics with toddlers. But there is so many things we can show, let them touch, hear, practice.

Today I wanted to blend few activities in one. I wanted to introduce Olympic colors and I wanted my toddler to be able to stack them together or in order.

And that's how Olympic puzzle idea was born.

To make Olympic puzzle

you will need:

• cardboard of 5 colors (red, black, green, yellow and blue). I cut out pieces from packaging boxes that I save. I was lucky to find 5 different colors. (My "trash collecting" (according to my husband) around town is paying off big time!)
• scissors or craft knife
• pen

what to do:

1. Cut out the cardboard circles. Make sure they are all the same size.

2. Draw a puzzle shape on of the circles. I used bottle cap to make sure I make even puzzle shapes.

3. Cut the puzzle.

4. Place it on the other cardboard circle and repeat. Do the same with all of them.

5. Give it to the kids and let them start playing.

It's such a simple toddler activity, but I think it benefits a lot because there are quite a few good skills involved for the little ones to practice:

• color recognition.
• motor activity. Trying to fit the matching parts is not easy for toddlers at first but with some practice they get better (of course if the patience doesn't run away first 🙂
• sensor activity. My son was touching with this little fingers all different curves and shapes of the puzzles.
• the joy of accomplishment when 2 parts or more go together. When a child succeeds in an activity, he is more interested and motivated to keep learning and practicing more.

    We had a fun afternoon playing with Olympic puzzle. My son tried different stacking variations with those puzzles: in one line, around, upside down.

They are definitely not perfect, but sure did they serve the goal I had for today's activity.
Enjoy your Olympic Activities with your toddlers too.

Birute Efe