Elmer the patchwork elephant puzzle + free printable.
If your kids love Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and you have magnetic tiles at home, you’re going to love this hands-on, colorful, and educational craft activity! This DIY Elmer the Elephant puzzle is fun, creative, and perfect for teaching shapes, colors, and spatial awareness and yes, we’ve included a FREE printable template to make it even easier!
Why This Elmer Puzzle is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another craft, it’s a playful way to introduce STEM skills, problem-solving, and fine motor development using the magic of magnetic tiles and one of the most beloved children’s book characters.
For those new to Elmer, he’s a joyful, patchwork-colored elephant who celebrates being different. His story is not only heartwarming but also the perfect inspiration for a creative craft that’s both educational and inclusive.
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Elmer the Elephant DIY puzzle + free printable
What You’ll Need
Craft Supplies:
- Cardboard (two equal-sized pieces)
- Magnetic tiles or colored shape blocks
- White or black marker
- Scissors or craft knife
- Glue
- Yarn (optional for the tail)
- FREE Elmer Printable Cards
- Elmer the Elephant book (optional but recommended!)
Elmer the Elephant craft idea for kids
How to Make Your Elmer Puzzle (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Step 1: Gather all your supplies before you begin.
Step 2: Use magnetic tiles to build a simple Elmer elephant shape as a guide. No tiles? Cut your own tiles from cardboard or paper.
Step 3: Take two equal-sized cardboard squares. One will be your background; the other is for cutting out the elephant shape.
Step 4: Trace and cut out the elephant shape from one of the cardboard pieces.
Step 5: On the background piece, draw a grid (raster) that matches the size of your magnetic tiles, this helps your child match pieces correctly.
Step 6: Glue the cutout frame onto the background piece.
Step 7: Add a little elephant tail with yarn or draw extra details to bring Elmer to life!
Step 8: Start puzzling and playing!
Creative Ways to Play with Your Elmer Puzzle
- Basic Puzzle Play: Let your child fill in the elephant shape using magnetic tiles or paper shapes.
- Matching Game: Use the printable Elmer cards as visual guides. Can your child recreate the pattern from a card?
- Challenge Mode: Remove the grid to make it harder for older kids to guess where the pieces go!
- Guess the Pattern: Place a few tiles, then ask your child to guess which Elmer card you’re building.
This activity works beautifully at home, in classrooms, or during storytime craft sessions. It’s simple, flexible, and most importantly, a lot of fun!
Grab Your FREE Elmer Printable!
We’ve designed a FREE set of Elmer puzzle templates, a great card set to get you started. Click here to download them now.
Why Parents and Teachers Love This Activity
- Encourages creative thinking and design
- Supports early math and spatial reasoning
- Great for quiet time or small group play
- Engages kids of multiple ages with varying difficulty levels
Don’t Forget!
Get ready for another magical Elmer the Elephant craft! This vibrant and creative activity is a hit with kids, and it comes with a free printable template to make it super easy and fun.
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