Popsicle Adventures Continued

So about those fabulous popsicle puzzles I was talking about… I have a revisal. DO NOT USE MAGAZINES. Will ripped half of the paper off in five minutes. So stick with the greeting cards, postcards or photograph idea.

Continuing the popsicle crafting trend…

While we were visiting Will’s (hopefully, if we are declared poor enough and get financial aid) future montessori school I noticed all of the hands-on math exercises for the toddlers included the written numerals. We hadn’t even delved into this aspect of mathematics yet! We’ve only mastered the blinded repetition of “Oooonne, two, tree, frive (a combination of four and five), five siz, semin A-NYE-TEN!” and lately followed by a muttering of “memon, telf” (eleven and twelve).

So when Will was eating a bowl of cereal at 8:30 pm (I am such a sucker) I sat there handling popsicle sticks. We counted each up to “telf” then started going backwards. Then it dawned on me: Why not write the numerals on these? And while we’re at it, threw on something for him to count on each stick! Montessori schools are all about gradation learning-I remember seeing an awesome number game with dangling beads that the kids had to pair with the corresponding numeral.  So it all came together and was finished before my tot finished his cheerios. I picked a heart shape for mine.

I had a fabric marker handy, it didn’t bleed but also did not come off of Will’s hand after several scrubbings. You have been warned.

Popsicle Stick Puzzle in 3 Easy Steps!

I want to make more toys for Will. After touring his potential new home at Roots and Wings Montessori this week I was inspired by the hand-made interactive learning toys they created. The things you can do with a bath mat! Normally I pine for those beautiful, expensive toys you find at children’s boutiques. The Melissa and Dougs are one thing, but have you seen the Treehaus Play Kitchen?! Even at Tuesday Mornings it’s still $80!

Drool.

Alas, I am on a hand to mouth budget and must get creative. Poor people can be so crafty! And smart! AND funny!  So I found this easy and cheap craft to make for Will. It’s the Popsicle Puzzle! The great thing about this craft is that even 2 yrs old, he can participate in making it. POPSICLE PUZZLE Materials: Craft Popsicle sticks (you can find anywhere. I found mine at the drug store) Glue (liquid or stick) Siccors and Exacto Knife Magazine, Greeting Cards, or Photographs for Image

Step 1. Let your child select the image. (We used a magazine clipping, though thicker stock images are less likely to rip or become warped from the glue) Step 2. Line up your popsicle sticks to the width needed to fit your image then let your child glue the image. (You might want to use a paint brush if using liquid glue to smooth any bumps or air pockets). Let dry.

Step 3. After it is completely dry, slice the image between each popsicle stick. You may want to break up the sticks just a little to break any hardened glue between them. Also, exacto knifes are wicked sharp. It is best to cut with the image face down as the knife could cut right through the stick and ruin the puzzle.

Brilliant! Five Second of FUN-FILLED FUN-NESS!

TA-DA! Easy and cheap cheap cheap. I bought my pack of sticks for less than two bucks and could probably make 20 more of these. It’s fun, easy and your child can help, if not old enough to do it themselves.