Puzzles, How Do You????

[Familycare71]

I have a big plastic storage container. I only let them take one out at a time. They can't pick another until they finish. I do not have any other options when we do puzzles - it's just puzzles! I usually have to sit and help them.

[Play Care]

Like others I keep puzzles up and they only come out when it's table time. I do have to sit and help them, so it's not an activity I can set up and do something else while they play. If I have kids just sitting and dumping and not wanting to put the puzzle back together, we clean up their puzzle and they get down from the table.

[WImom]

I have a few puzzles - the ones where they have only a few pieces are out all the time so I can put them back together easily. The ones are up higher for the older kids.

I found a great way to store my boxed ones -
Inside the drawer is a picture of the puzzle taped to the drawer so when they dump it out to use it they can still see the photo to help them if needed. So far it's been working great.

[originalkat]

I have a set of puzzles that go in a rack. All of them are 8-12 pieces. All but 1 of my kids can do them on their own. The one who cant has to get a partner to work with. The kids know they may only get 1 puzzle at a time. In addition, puzzles, books, and coloring are all in my opening/closing room which is off the kitchen when the kids get dropped off and picked up. These stay in this room so it is easy to keep them away from all the other toys in the learning room. I do not have boxed puzzles that I leave out. I have a few giant ones that I get out for special occasions.

[Soccermom]

I only allow puzzles during rest time - quiet time when all the babies are sleeping. Otherwise they dump them out and put them into trucks, baskets, the little kitchen oven...whatever they can think of.

I have them all in a big bin on top of a shelf with some of the other quiet time bins.

There have been times when I have forgotten to put them away after quiet time....I try to make it a fun game for the older kids - Who can find ALL 24 pieces to each different puzzle the fastest??! LOL It only works sometimes. ::

[MarinaVanessa]

I love those. I have both sets. I forget about them. I think I'll have to bring those out for puzzle time too.

Thanks for posting

I know it's off topic but can I ask where you got your cut-out set? I got mine from PatternBlockPuzzle.com because they're hard to find but they're a bit pricey. I got a half set of 10 boards for $35 plus the bucket of shapes (the ones I got were the boards only and you have to buy the bucket of shapes separately). A full set of 20 is $70. Totally worth it if you ask me and I really like them because they are sturdy birch plywood so they'll last a long time but if I can get different boards for less all the better .

[Kimskiddos]

When my group are all 2.5yo + I keep a rack on the table. They have grasped the rules of one at a time and keeping them at the table.
When I have younger ones (like I have now) I keep the rack up on the counter, where toddlers have to ask permission but the older kids can easily reach.
I also store puzzles with the box cover and pieces in ziplocks.

[daycare]

I know it's off topic but can I ask where you got your cut-out set? I got mine from PatternBlockPuzzle.com because they're hard to find but they're a bit pricey. I got a half set of 10 boards for $35 plus the bucket of shapes (the ones I got were the boards only and you have to buy the bucket of shapes separately). A full set of 20 is $70. Totally worth it if you ask me and I really like them because they are sturdy birch plywood so they'll last a long time but if I can get different boards for less all the better .

best place on earth.....craigs list for $10....... I had to toss a few, but the rest were mint....

[MarinaVanessa]

best place on earth.....craigs list for $10....... I had to toss a few, but the rest were mint....

Aww man, not for anything but I look almost daily here and all that is posted are cheepo toys or battery operated ones and they want like $5 less than the original new price . The only time that I find good toys is when a provider closes or spring cleans. Yard sales and thrift shops are good places to look too but I really have to dig. Speaking of ... I have the morning off. I think I'll go Thrift store shopping today .

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I keep out simple puzzles (the ones that are each picture goes in it's own space) in a rack (holds 4) on the shelf.
Others the cardboard ones from my daughters childhood days, are kept up and done at the table by the older ones.
Sometimes we use the puzzle pieces in our blocks- the animals.