Puzzles for kids - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Teri · 07-07-2009, 07:12 PM

I have been asked to make a puzzle or 2 for kids,1-2 years old.
What finish is best? Thanks Teri

jigsue · 07-07-2009, 09:11 PM

Teri

I like using colour for rugrats and use acrylic paint with acrylic spray finish. all is non-toxic when dry and the colour range and cover is fantastic.

Sue

sawdustus · 07-08-2009, 11:38 AM

Teri, I absolutely agree with Sue. Paint them with bright acrylic, non-toxic craft paint and either a clear acrylic or shellac spray. Both are non-toxic when dry. Some additional information for you.

Be very careful about the size of your pieces. Any piece that can fit inside of the tube that toilet paper or paper towels comes on can be a choking hazard for a child under three. For 1-3 year olds, I always make sure that the pieces are at least 2" across.

I also put a small knob, usually a cut down axle peg or finial, in the center of each piece of a tray puzzle by drilling a hole the size of the axle and using yellow glue to hold it in place. Lets the little ones handle the piece more easily. Here are two pictures of puzzles with knobs that I have done.

PB160043.jpg PB160041.jpg

Age appropriate number of pieces is probably in the 2-4 pieces per puzzle for 1-2 year olds.

Hope this helps.

george

Teri · 07-09-2009, 09:07 PM

Thanks, both of u helped alot.

lowbike1 · 07-16-2009, 06:06 PM

I use salad bowl finish, keeps it looking "natural" plus its non toxic if they put it in their mouths

ubgoofy2003 · 07-16-2009, 07:06 PM

Dumb question? What are the round pegs in each piece for? Thanks
Perk

Marsha · 07-16-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubgoofy2003

Dumb question? What are the round pegs in each piece for? Thanks
Perk

Those aren't my puzzles, but I think the pegs are so the pieces can be removed and replaced by little hands. I personally don't like the idea, the pegs could break off and become a choking hazard.
When I do kids puzzles I cut them with a # 7 FD blade, this leaves a large enough kerf so when the pieces are painted there's still lots of play so the pieces fall out pretty easy.
Marsha

jigsue · 07-17-2009, 01:59 AM

Teri9
Marsha is right. Pegs are for tray puzzles where the pieces fit back into the board from which they were cut. There are also free standing puzzles which do not need pegs.
Photo Sharing by MyPhotoAlbum.com :: MyPhotoAlbum :: Sue's Scrollings
There are some on my site to look at, although I do not use pegs, I make both types of Sue

sawdustus · 07-17-2009, 02:32 PM

Perk, Marsha is correct, the pegs make it easier for little fingers to put the pieces back in place in tray puzzles.
Marsha, I have not had any of the pegs either loosen or break. Little fingers should not be able to break off a 7/32" or even a 1/8" diameter peg. It would have to be hit very hard from the side to even have a chance of breaking off. Tight bond glue makes a very strong bond and I glue the pieces in after painting but before putting on the finish. All the puzzles in the pre-K and younger classes at my granddaughters school have pegs. It's not until kids get to be about 4 or so that they can easily manipulate puzzle pieces without pegs even with a #7 kerf.

george

georgewoodie · 07-18-2009, 05:21 PM

When I built my workshop bench, I filled it with drawers. As I did not want any chance of bumping into drawer pulls, I use finger holes to grip and pull them out.

Would finger holes work for puzzle pieces instead of knobs?

Woodie

07-07-2009, 07:12 PM	#1
Teri Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 61	Puzzles for kids I have been asked to make a puzzle or 2 for kids,1-2 years old. What finish is best? Thanks Teri __________________ RBI Hawk 220....Scrolling for fun

07-08-2009, 11:38 AM	#3
sawdustus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,975	Teri, I absolutely agree with Sue. Paint them with bright acrylic, non-toxic craft paint and either a clear acrylic or shellac spray. Both are non-toxic when dry. Some additional information for you. Be very careful about the size of your pieces. Any piece that can fit inside of the tube that toilet paper or paper towels comes on can be a choking hazard for a child under three. For 1-3 year olds, I always make sure that the pieces are at least 2" across. I also put a small knob, usually a cut down axle peg or finial, in the center of each piece of a tray puzzle by drilling a hole the size of the axle and using yellow glue to hold it in place. Lets the little ones handle the piece more easily. Here are two pictures of puzzles with knobs that I have done. PB160043.jpg PB160041.jpg Age appropriate number of pieces is probably in the 2-4 pieces per puzzle for 1-2 year olds. Hope this helps. george __________________ A day without sawdust is a day without sunshine. George delta 650, hawk G426 Last edited by sawdustus; 07-08-2009 at 02:22 PM.

07-09-2009, 09:07 PM	#4
Teri Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 61	Thanks, both of u helped alot. __________________ RBI Hawk 220....Scrolling for fun

07-17-2009, 02:32 PM	#9
sawdustus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,975	Perk, Marsha is correct, the pegs make it easier for little fingers to put the pieces back in place in tray puzzles. Marsha, I have not had any of the pegs either loosen or break. Little fingers should not be able to break off a 7/32" or even a 1/8" diameter peg. It would have to be hit very hard from the side to even have a chance of breaking off. Tight bond glue makes a very strong bond and I glue the pieces in after painting but before putting on the finish. All the puzzles in the pre-K and younger classes at my granddaughters school have pegs. It's not until kids get to be about 4 or so that they can easily manipulate puzzle pieces without pegs even with a #7 kerf. george __________________ A day without sawdust is a day without sunshine. George delta 650, hawk G426 Last edited by sawdustus; 07-20-2009 at 12:18 PM.

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07-07-2009, 09:11 PM	#2
jigsue Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 896	Teri I like using colour for rugrats and use acrylic paint with acrylic spray finish. all is non-toxic when dry and the colour range and cover is fantastic. Sue

07-16-2009, 06:06 PM	#5
lowbike1 Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Abbotsford BC Posts: 47	I use salad bowl finish, keeps it looking "natural" plus its non toxic if they put it in their mouths

07-16-2009, 07:06 PM	#6
ubgoofy2003 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 486	Dumb question? What are the round pegs in each piece for? Thanks Perk

07-17-2009, 01:59 AM	#8
jigsue Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 896	Teri9 Marsha is right. Pegs are for tray puzzles where the pieces fit back into the board from which they were cut. There are also free standing puzzles which do not need pegs. Photo Sharing by MyPhotoAlbum.com :: MyPhotoAlbum :: Sue's Scrollings There are some on my site to look at, although I do not use pegs, I make both types of Sue

07-18-2009, 05:21 PM	#10
georgewoodie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 123	When I built my workshop bench, I filled it with drawers. As I did not want any chance of bumping into drawer pulls, I use finger holes to grip and pull them out. Would finger holes work for puzzle pieces instead of knobs? Woodie