DIY Puzzle Valentine for Kids

Does your little one love puzzles as much as mine does? Then I have the perfect DIY Valentine craft your toddler-to-preschool age kids can help with! It’s called a Don’t be Puzzled Valentine, Be mine craft I adapted from a puzzle I found in a Parents magazine.

Puzzles have so many learning benefits including fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and shape recognition.

And one of the reasons why we love this Valentine, is because it can be customized in any way with your child’s favorite characters and treats.

Materials

• 9 Starbursts
• Cardstock
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Markers
• Glue

Step 1. Use card stock paper to cut out approximately 4-inches x 4 inches square. You may have to adjust the size based on the number of Starbursts you use. We used 9 so that it would be a perfect square.

Step 2. Cut out a heart-shape (or any other fun shape you have in mind). Young toddlers will need help here, but older toddlers and preschoolers can draw and color a puzzle shape of their choice.

Step 3. Glue the decorated heart to the card stock and cut out 9 evenly-spaced pieces. I used the Starburst to help measure evenly.

Step 4. Have your child glue the different pieces to a Starburst. (Note: You can have a younger child apply the glue to the back of the Starbursts as you help to position the puzzle pieces.)

Then gather the pieces into a gift bag and add a “Don’t be puzzled Valentine, be mine!” message.

This is a great Valentine gift idea that serves a double purpose: keeps the kids entertained as they try to put the puzzle together and offers a little treat once they’ve had enough!

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