Think of one word to describe how you’re feeling right now. What would it be?
Think of one thing you’re grateful for at this very moment. What is it?
Think of the first image, thought, or phrase that pops into your mind right this second. Write it down.
These are just a few simple questions that can launch today’s at home activity with your little ones.
Secret Puzzle Game is a simple, outside-the-box way of sitting with the words, feelings, and thoughts we’re experiencing during this wild time. Think of a word or image, keep it secret, draw it on the back of a cereal box that you’ll cut up to make your own puzzle. Then, hide the pieces around the room and hunt for the rest of your family’s pieces.
It’s a puzzle-meets-scavenger-hunt-meets-mindfulness-focused-feeling-exploration kind of activity, and all it requires is some cardboard (like an empty cereal box), markers, scissors, and your minds. It’s also a conversation starter and a way for your kids to reinforce their literacy skills and enhance their spatial thinking.
Who knew you could get all that from the back of an old cereal box? (We did 😉.)
Secret Puzzle Game
Goals:
Reinforce literacy skills
Enhance spatial thinking
Enjoy a cooperative game
Children and grownups will:
Create word or picture puzzle
Hide and reassemble the puzzles
What you’ll need:
Two or more players
Empty cereal boxes, file folders, or something similar
Markers, pens, or crayons
Scissors
How to:
Cut your cereal box so everyone has a flat rectangle. Spread out so you can create your puzzles without seeing anyone else’s secret word or pictures.
Place the secret words or pictures toward the center of the cardboard. Make them big and bold, then decorate around them. Try to cover the whole surface of the cardboard; adding more lines and shapes can make each puzzle easier to put together while hiding the secret message.
Use scissors to cut each picture into 5 to 10 puzzle pieces. Make sure you cut right through your secret word or picture. Cuts can be curvy, jagged or straight, but try not to end up with tiny pieces.
Let each person hide their own puzzle pieces. Everyone else can then look for the pieces and bring them back to your shared spot to reassemble. Work together to figure out all the secret words and pictures.
Variations:
Younger children might write their name or their first initial and then decorate that.
Older children could write a longer message or perhaps a clue to where a treat is hidden.