We’re always on the lookout for fun new visual motor activities! Here’s a great Halloween DIY project that gives kids a great visual motor challenge!
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All kids love puzzles! This homemade set of blocks offers up a challenge similar to a Rubik’s Cube except that your child can manipulate each of the pieces in their hands to find the correct pattern to complete the puzzle! The possibilities are endless when it comes to the combinations, themes, and colors you could use for these blocks. Today, we decided to go with the spirit of the season and craft a Halloween-inspired set!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
-1-inch, unfinished wooden blocks
-Colorful craft paper and/or stickers
–ModPodge
-A paintbrush
–A craft knife
WHAT TO DO:
1 – We used 9 blocks for our puzzle set. We set the blocks up in a group as tight as we could and applied a thin layer of ModPodge.
Next, we picked a piece of paper that we wanted to start with and put a thin layer of ModPodge on the top corner of the back of the paper. Using the corner just keeps you from having to do a few extra cuts.
2 – Then, we put the paper onto the blocks and smoothed it straight. We let this layer dry for a few minutes and then flipped the blocks over to do the same process with a different piece of paper on the other side. This was strictly to help move things along quickly. If you have lots of time and very patient kids, you could do one side at a time.
3 – After the glue was dry on each of these two sides, we used our X-Acto Knife to trim the paper around the outer edges and then between each of the blocks.
Continue this process until all sides of the blocks are covered. BE VERY CAREFUL THAT AS YOU TURN YOUR BLOCKS, YOUR PREVIOUSLY APPLIED PAPER PATTERNS LINE UP — I am speaking from a really bad experience! :)
Coat each side of each block in one more layer of ModPodge to seal up the paper and to be sure the edges stay secure. Let them dry overnight!
Give the blocks a roll out onto the table and let your kids have a blast trying to put the picture back together the right way! The busier the pattern of your papers, the trickier the challenge!!
HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:
-These blocks would be just as pretty all painted up if you don’t want to go through the process of glue and paper. Cover one side in polka dots, one in stripes, etc. to provide patterns to match up.
-Have a small child that wants to get in on the action? Cover the blocks in stickers and allow your child to peel each sticker off of the backing and apply it to the blocks as creatively as they want! Stickers are great for fine motor skill building!
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