We all have puzzles that pieces go missing. You’re building along with the kids when you get to the last handful of pieces and realize that there is just ONE puzzle piece that is missing. It might be under a couch cushion, in the car (EVERYTHING ends up in the car at some point!), or into puzzle-piece-oblivion. So, what do you do with that whole puzzle when it’s incomplete? Make it a learning activity! This incomplete puzzle turned into a rhyming word puzzle activity and a synonym puzzle.
Reuse Puzzles Pieces for Learning Mini Puzzles
This post contains affiliate links. Grab a puzzle from your shelf that is missing a piece. You know the one: the puzzle that you know is missing three pieces but you’re hanging onto it just in case they show up the next time you vacuum under the couch. Put the puzzle waiting game to rest and use that puzzle in learning activities. We practiced synonyms for a first grade English Language Arts activity by creating mini synonym puzzles. This is so easy to do: simply grab a permanent marker
and write pairs of synonyms on the back of the puzzle. When you practice the synonym pairs with your child, you can place just two pieces out to start with. Show them that the pairs match up based on the matching synonym words and can be positioned according to the way the words are written. For older children or for a more complex activity, write the words in different directions so they need to work on matching up the puzzle pieces.
and write pairs of synonyms on the back of the puzzle. When you practice the synonym pairs with your child, you can place just two pieces out to start with. Show them that the pairs match up based on the matching synonym words and can be positioned according to the way the words are written. For older children or for a more complex activity, write the words in different directions so they need to work on matching up the puzzle pieces.
You can modify this activity to create a math, science, history, or any learning activity that kids need to determine facts. Memorization or math can easily be done with this puzzle learning activity, too.
Synonym Activity for First Grade
Rhyming Word Match Activity for Kindergarten
We also made a rhyming word activity using the puzzle pieces. This is a great activity for Kindergarten aged kids.
This easy puzzle activity was a big hit in our house and we will definitely be doing this one again for other skill areas. Because puzzles and lost pieces go together like a puzzle match.
This post is part of our Learning with Free Materials series where we are sharing learning ideas for homeschoolers and school-base enrichment activities using items that are free or mostly free (i.e. CHEAP or you already have in the home), and is part of the 31 Days of Homeschooling Tips as we blog along with other bloggers with learning at home tips and tools.
