Animal Friends Cube Puzzle

Six-in-one animal friends cube puzzle.

This block puzzle features whimsical animals and can be a fun way to practice in-hand manipulation skills. The six blocks each measure 1.5" x 1.5" x 1.5", are light-weight wood, painted and then covered with a gloss. There are six sides to each block (one animal per side) and the puzzle can be built six ways, each featuring a different animal. There are six animal figures included, one for each animal that can be built. Look at the figure to help guide you as you are building the puzzle. Animal figures measure approximately 2.5" x 1.75" x .5".

Depending on the size of the hand of the individual you are working with, this may be an appropriate activity for in-hand manipulation as they turn the block around and around in the hand to find the side they are looking for. Animals can be built vertically, rising up from the table, or flat on the table. A finished puzzle will measure  4.5" x 4.5" x 1.5".

Present the individual with the animal figure and ask them to build a block puzzle of that animal. If they use the border to help them it will be easier, as there are four corner-border pieces per puzzle and the middle piece will have no border. Often block puzzles have more complicated designs, more pieces and no paper patterns/figures to work from. With only 9 pieces, a simple one-animal image on each side, and a separate animal figure to look at while building, this puzzle may a good place for those just starting out with block puzzles.   

Try this:

• Cue the individual to look for the animal color and/or the background color as he sorts through the blocks.
• Sort through and find all the correct sides, then build, so you are not jumping back and forth between tasks.
• Have the pieces already turned to the correct side for those who would not be able to find the correct side, or for an easier introduction to the puzzle. Start with them in the correct orientation and work your way up to being able to turn them in different orientations.
• Build the first row or column to get the individual started.
• Build the first row for the individual to show them they will be working from the bottom up.
• Build all but the last block and let the individual place it. Build all but the last two blocks and let the individual finish it. Then build all but three blocks, etc., until the individual can build a puzzle alone.
• Take turns placing blocks with the individual until they can build one alone.
• Stand the animal atop the finished puzzle and check for accuracy.
• Talk out loud as you build to model the process. Say things like "I can see that this is a leg, so I know it will go on the bottom" or "This piece has an eye so I know it will go on the head".
• Make up a fun, simple story about the animal after the puzzle is finished. 
• Look at each piece before building the animal. Point out on the animal figure where you think each piece will go.
• Assure that the animal figure is oriented in the correct direction before starting as puzzles can only be built one way.
• Work on visual discrimination, visual form constancy, visual closure, spatial relations, eye-hand coordination, graded grasp and release, reach, manual dexterity, in-hand manipulation, body parts, executive functioning skills, reasoning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 6 wooden blocks, 6 wooden animal figures