Long road trips can be extremely tedious and dull. Finding things to do in the car other than read can be difficult. If you’re looking for something to help occupy your time so you stop wondering if you’re there yet, here is a DIY project for magnetic puzzles.

Supplies

  • Magnetic sheets
  • Craft glue
  • Scissors or X-acto knife
  • Picture
  • Metal cookie sheet

Directions

  1. First, find a picture that is large enough to cut into puzzle pieces, but small enough to fit on your magnetic sheet. The picture could be a family photograph or drawing. Square or rectangle shaped photographs will be easier to cut into puzzles.
  2. Next, glue your image to the magnetic sheet. Spread the glue evenly on the back of the photo and attach it to the side of the magnetic sheet that is not attracted to metal. You don’t want your puzzle to be face down.
  3. Now, depending on how many pieces you want your puzzle to be use scissors or an X-acto knife to cut puzzle pieces inside your image. If you’re not sure what shapes to cut the pieces into, you can use a stencil or just wing it! As long as the pieces all fit inside the image, they can be any size or shape.
  4. Finally, you can collect your pieces and put them on a cookie sheet. The cookie sheet will make a convenient tray for you to sit on your lap in the car. The magnetic puzzle pieces will stick to the cookie sheet so no pieces will be lost or jumbled during a bumpy road trip.
Magnetic puzzles will give you a fun, easy activity to distract from the endless hours spent in the car. And this craft can be educational. Instead of using a family photo, use an image of a map. A magnetic world map is a good way to learn about geography. After your road trip, you can keep using the puzzles as fridge magnets. For more information on magnets feel free to contact us.