Dino Number Puzzle
Updated: Oct 24, 2021
Need a fun activity to get your brain going? Look no further! Turn your handprint into an awesome Dino Puzzle! Practice putting your puzzle together again and again by either lining up the image or by placing the numbers on the popsicle sticks in the right order. Either way, this activity is fun to make and even more fun to put together after!
Supplies:
Popsicle sticks (enough popsicle sticks to fit your handprint!)
Paint (Dinos come in all colors so pick your favorite!)
Paint brush
Plate or Bowl to put paint in
Painters tape or packing tape
Markers
Activity Steps:
Step 1: First we need to grab all of our supplies and find an open space for our activity!
Step 2: Next, take enough popsicle sticks to fit a handprint on and lay them flat side by side with the long straight sides touching each other and the rounded ends on the top and bottom.
Step 3: Now we are going to take enough tape to cover the tops of all of the popsicle sticks (the tops are the rounded ends). Take your piece of tape and lay the bottom half of the tape over all of the rounded tops of the popsicle sticks. You should have half of the tape covering just the tops of the popsicle sticks and the other half hanging just above the tops.
*Fun Tip: This step is easier if another person/adult holds the popsicle sticks while you put the tape on!
Step 4: Then, carefully flip your popsicle sticks over (they should all stay in place since we taped the tops)! Fold over the rest of your tape onto the tops of the rounded popsicle sticks just like before. This will help hold our popsicle sticks in place so that they do not move when we create our Dino!
*Repeat steps 3 and 4 on the other rounded ends of the popsicle sticks!
Step 5: Grab the color of paint you want your Dino to be and a paintbrush! Squeeze a small amount of paint onto your plate or bowl and roll up your sleeves!
Step 6: Using your paint brush, paint the palm of your hand with the paint! Make sure you get all of your fingers!
*Fun Tip: If you need help with this step, ask an adult to paint your hand for you!
Step 7: Now, carefully place your painted hand on the laid out popsicle sticks that we taped together. Spread your fingers out like you are giving a high five and push down on the popsicle sticks until your painted hand is completely flat, then lift up!
Step 8: After you have your handprint done, go ahead and wash all of the paint off of your hand! Let your handprint dry completely before moving on to the next step!
Step 9: Once your handprint is completely dry, it is time to grab your markers to create the Dino! Start by turning your handprint so that it is facing the right way. You want your fingers facing down and towards you!
Step 10: Give your Dino some spikes on its back by drawing triangles all the way down the round edge of the handprint and onto the pinky finger.
Step 11: Then draw some spots on the body of the Dino (the palm of your handprint) and some toes on the feet (the fingertips of your handprint)!
Step 12: Next, draw an eye and mouth on the head of the Dino (the thumb of the handprint).
*Fun Tip: If you have extra room around your Dino handprint, feel free to add some trees or flowers in the background!
Step 13: Lastly, carefully peel off the tape from the bottom of the Dino Number Puzzle and using your marker number each popsicle stick from 1-10 or however many popsicle sticks you have! If you are still learning how to write your numbers you can always ask an adult for help. Then, carefully peel off the tape from the top of the Dino Number Puzzle.
*Now mess up the popsicle sticks and practice putting your Dino Number Puzzle back together! You can either use the numbers at the bottom of the popsicle sticks to put them into order or match the pieces together until the image of the Dino shows!
~Made by Mollie L.