Recycled Puzzle Bubble Frame
Turn old puzzle pieces into a sweet homemade picture frame with this Recycled Puzzle Bubble Frame craft. Kids will love painting the pieces, decorating them with bubble-like gems, and adding a favorite photo for Mom, Grandma, or another special relative. This is a fun recycled craft that makes a thoughtful keepsake gift.
Fun Facts
Photography has a long and fascinating history. Early photographs took much longer to capture than today’s snapshots, which makes old family photos even more special. Creating a handmade frame is a fun way for kids to celebrate a favorite memory.
Supplies
- Photograph for framing
- Cardboard slightly larger than the photo
- 4 craft sticks or ice cream sticks
- 15 puzzle pieces, more or less depending on size
- White tempera paint
- Light blue tempera paint
- Small sponge
- Small clear or iridescent craft gems in mixed sizes
- Small fish stickers, optional
- Craft glue
- Hot glue
- Scissors
- Newspaper
- Sturdy string or yarn for hanging
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the photo backing
Glue the photograph onto the cardboard. Glue the 4 craft sticks around the edges of the photo to make a simple frame shape. Trim the cardboard so it is just a little larger than the photo and frame. Set it aside to dry.
Step 2: Paint the puzzle pieces
Cover your work surface with newspaper. Lay the puzzle pieces face up and paint them white. Some pieces may need 2 or 3 coats to cover the original puzzle pattern. Let them dry completely.
Step 3: Add the bubble color
Use a small sponge to dab light blue paint here and there on the dry puzzle pieces. This gives the pieces a soft, bubbly look. Let the paint dry.
Step 4: Glue on the puzzle pieces
Using hot glue, attach the painted puzzle pieces around the craft stick frame. Overlap the pieces slightly and fill in the frame so there are no large gaps.
Step 5: Decorate the frame
Hot glue the small, medium, and large craft gems around the frame to look like floating bubbles. Add 2 tiny fish stickers if you want an under-the-sea theme.
Step 6: Add a hanger
Hot glue a piece of sturdy string or yarn across the back of the cardboard so the frame can be hung up and displayed.
Tips
- Use clear, silver, and pale blue gems to make the frame look more like real bubbles.
- Adult help is best for the hot glue steps.
- This craft is a great way to use puzzle pieces from incomplete puzzles.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
This craft does not require a printable template, but you can display it with any favorite photo sized to fit your cardboard backing.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
This recycled craft is a great classroom activity for talking about reusing everyday materials in creative ways. Students can bring in old puzzle pieces from home and turn them into keepsake frames for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or family gifts. You can also turn this into a writing activity by having children write a short sentence about the memory in their photo or why they chose that picture.
Supplies
Photograph for framing
Cardboard a little larger than your photo
4 Ice cream sticks
15 Puzzle pieces (will need more or less depending on puzzle piece size)
White & light blue tempera paint
Small piece of sponge
Iridescent and/or clear craft gems in small, medium and large
Small fish stickers
Craft glue
Hot glue
Scissors
Newspaper
Instructions
Prep
Using craft glue, adhere the photograph to the piece of cardboard. Use craft glue to attach the ice cream sticks around the photograph Trim cardboard so that it is just larger than the photograph. Set aside to dry.
Lay newspaper down on table and place puzzle pieces face up. Have the children paint the puzzle pieces white. You may need 2-3 coats for some depending on the darkness of the pattern on the puzzle pieces. Allow to dry. When dry, lightly sponge on light blue paint "here and there" all over the puzzle pieces.
Glue
Using hot glue, adhere the puzzle pieces to the ice cream sticks. Work your way around the frame, be sure that pieces overlap and do not leave any gaps between pieces.
Decorate
After all pieces are glued in place, use hot glue to adhere craft gems around the frame. Alternate large, medium and small gems to look like floating bubbles. Decorate with two tiny fish stickers, if desired.
Hang!
For a simple hanger, hot glue a piece of sturdy string or yarn across the back of the cardboard.
Contributor
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine at http://familycorner.com where you will find recipes, crafts, family activities, parenting advice, home & garden, and plenty more. Be sure to visit the bustling message board community to make some new friends!
