We love making puzzles out of recycled cardboard. Recycled crafts are both environmentally friendly, and economic! All of those beautiful wooden montessori learning materials can add up in cost. Luckily, we can have all the benefits of those learning materials with what we already have at home.
I made cardboard puzzles of a fox, squirrel, and fox kit to go along with our Fox Nature Study. When I create these printables, I do so with the intention of allowing creativity. I am always impressed with all of the fun, innovative ways people use my printables! I also try to make Unit Studies which are accessible to a variety of different ages. I realize that most homeschool families are teaching siblings and different grade levels. While these puzzles might be suitable for your toddler, your elementary schooler will enjoy the more challenging worksheets. This also means you can revisit the same Unit Study for several years as your child grows. You can purchase these pictures individually, or as part of a bundle.
To add a layer of challenge to the puzzles, put all of the pieces together in a basket. The child will have to figure out which puzzle each piece belongs to.
We have made other recycled cardboard puzzles in the past. We have made a Recycled Cardboard Mushroom Puzzle here. We have also made a Cardboard Puzzle with Rocks here.
How to Make a Recycled Cardboard Puzzle
Supplies
Recycled Cardboard
Paper
Fox Puppet Printable (also included in Fox Unit Study Bundle)
Scissors
Glue
Instructions
- Print out your Fox Puppet Printable.
- Cut out your animals.
- Glue your animals to your recycled cardboard.
- Cut around the animals. They will be in one piece.
- Turn your cardboard around. Use a pencil and draft how you would like to cut the puzzle pieces. You can make the puzzles more or less challenging depending on your pieces.
- Cut along the lines you’ve drafted.
- Your recycled cardboard puzzles are complete!
