I’ve been blessed to have come across some really cute puzzles at T J Maxx, Marshalls, and WalMart at very affordable prices!

Last year for Christmas, one of the gifts for our then 3 year old was a puzzle that covered numbers 1 to 20. Each ‘puzzle’ was 3 pieces – one had the number, one had a picture of how many that number was, and one was the number word.

For a hard, heavy duty cardboard puzzle set, it was every penny worth the $5 or so we spent on it. But funds for many… will be limited this year. Good thing Sonbeams is all about alternatives to fit a family on a budget!! (As you’ve learned from the lesson guides if you’re a member.)

To make your own puzzles, take either cardstock, or for even heavier duty puzzles – cut open old cereal or oatmeal boxes. Cut these into strips around 3 to 4 inches wide and 12 to 15 inches long.

Now draw out your puzzle pieces – 3 pieces per strip. You can use ABC’s or 123’s for your puzzles. For ABC’s – write capital A on one piece, lowercase a on another, and a picture (and/ or word) that begins with A on another. Cut these out.

It might take a while to collect enough boxes for the entire alphabet, but if you’re using Sonbeams guides, you’re only learning one letter a week anyway – so you should collect enough by the time to get to more letters.

For numbers – one piece with the number, one piece with the number word, and one piece with a picture showing that many items.

Simple, inexpensive, and if you do this with your child and let them color the pieces – quality fun time spent together. And then you get to play/ learn!

Mrs. Candace