PuzTech 3D Butterfly Puzzle

 

Color and assemble two standing, 3D butterflies. They would look nice standing on a kid's dresser or bookshelf. I have to say, to me this looks like something I really would have liked as a kid.

In the box are two butterflies, a Monarch and a Swallowtail, that each consist of 16 pieces. The "bug" you see at the bottom, is actually the butterfly's body. There are two of them and each one will attach to butterfly wings and that is what enables them to stand. 

They are made out of a light weight plastic that is 1/8" thick and colorable. The finished size is 9.5 x 8.5 x 4". Each butterfly is printed on a separate sheet. They are printed on one side only. The pieces are very easy to punch out. 

Their website says "Use any washable colored marker or washable glitter glue. If you want to create something new, wash off with soap & water and make a new design." I have no experience with washable markers or glue so I am not sure how that last parts works, and I won't be able to find out because I am gifting this set to someone. Just a tip - Use the fine line crayola washable markers. It would be difficult to color in the small spaces with the bigger markers. If the individual has trouble coloring in small spaces, read my last tip under TRY THIS below.

Their website is 3Dpuztech.com. They also have a video of someone assembling this on their site. The assembly instructions are not exactly step-by-step, but are in three sections that look pretty straightforward. Here is the first step:

Try this:

• Go online and see the actual Monarch and Swallowtail butterflies. Then try to color them the same.
• Use the fine tip Crayola markers because there are some very small spaces to be colored in.
  
• Cover all of the assemble diagram except the piece you are adding. Making a 3D object from a 2D diagram is difficult for some. Be patient.
  
• Don't punch the wings out until you have finished coloring them so you have something to hang onto. If you punch them out, since they are colored all the way around, you may end up resting your hand on still-wet marker and smearing or smudging it onto places where you don't want it.
• Work on distal rotation, efficient grip, coloring inside the lines, tool use, separation of the two sides of the hand, precise fine motor control, finger dexterity, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
  
• Color a dot marker picture before coloring this if the individual does not have good control or colors from the wrist. Dot marker sheets make great practice for distal rotation and fine motor precision. I always used colored pencils for this. Demonstrate how to move your fingers in a circle to color in the circle. It's just a natural movement to color in a circle with a circular movement. Rest your wrist on the table for stability. Ask them to watch you and then practice. These have always worked well for me with kids who write big, who color with back and forth strokes, who can't round letters, and who can't color inside the lines. Below is an example of what I mean by dot marker sheets. You can find these on Pinterest, a lot of times for free. I bought mine from Oriental Trading but they don't sell them anymore.
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In the box: 2 complete butterflies to color and assemble.