Activities & Days Out / 5 December, 2025 / Nanny Anita
I originally saw this idea for a cardboard jigsaw on Instagram back in 2023 and as Christmas was approaching I thought it would be cool to do a DIY Christmas lights jigsaw. The problem was at that time I didn’t have any little charges to make it for and last year my charge was too young. As she has literally started taking a much keener interest in her jigsaws that I put out for to play with, I though this year NC was finally at a good age for this activity.
Follow my Christmas board on Pinterest for more ideas. Don’t forget to save the pin for later.
To make your own DIY Christmas lights jigsaw you will need:
- Two pieces of cardboard that are the same size
- Box cutter (or something similar)
- Paint
- Glue
- Baby pouch lids (optional)*
*I very use baby pouches because in my job I am expected to cook everything, but they are useful when travelling. I did manage to save a couple of the more colourful lids from either the pouches we did use or from the pouches that expired and needed to be thrown away. They aren’t necessary, but they do make it easier for little hands to put the pieces in and out of the board. It also adds an extra element to the jigsaw as NC can unscrew them and take them off and on.
On one of the pieces of cardboard draw on your Christmas light bulbs and then cut the shapes out.
I painted the whole thing, because I am extra like that, but if you want to keep it simple then you can either leave it plain (in which case I would recommend maybe doing the lights in different shapes) or just paint the cut out light bulbs.
Glue the piece of cardboard that you just cut the lights out of onto the other piece of cardboard to create a base for the jigsaws.
Finally (if you are using them) glue the pouch lids onto the cut on bulbs. Make sure you really glue them down or your little one most likely pull the lids off.
When I gave this to NC to play with I just set it up on her play mat with her other toys. She particularly liked unscrewing the lids, putting them back on was slightly trickier for her.
If you enjoyed this DIY Christmas lights jigsaw, be sure to check out my Christmas jigsaw busy bag.
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