PAPER BLOCK PUZZLE

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:

For each block, you'll need 2 pieces of 9" x 12" construction paper or poster board (8 1/2" x 11" works too.)
Markers or crayons
Scissors
Cellophane Tape
Colored Electrician's Tape (OPTIONAL)

PLAN AHEAD:

You need to plan ahead for this craft:

You can have up to 6 surprise messages on these blocks. (One on each side of the block.) If you're going to send more than one message per set, it's best to keep the messages short, and code them somehow, as it can be difficult to put them back together. (SEE IDEAS FOR CODES AT THE BOTTOM.)

Write out your message(s) in advance and count how many blocks you'll need. (Keep in mind, if you're using 9" x 12" paper, your blocks are 4.5" finished size, so if you're planning to make 20 blocks, you're going to take up a LOT of space.)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut your paper to make one large square -- (For example, on a 9" x 12" piece of paper, you can make a 9" square.)

Fold your square in half, then in half again, so you have quartered it. Crease the paper well, so the folds stay.

Unfold the paper and cut out one of the quarters, so you have three squares left attached to each other

On the outside of your 3 walls, draw letters and/or words from your message(s).

Even if you don't use up all your sides for messages, you can still draw pictures on them.

(ALTERNATE METHOD: Draw your message letters & pictures on pieces of paper which will fit on the face of your block. Then, glue the extra pieces of paper onto your block faces.)

Fold the two arms up to form half a box. (It will make a "stage-like" area, with a floor and two walls.) Make sure your pictures are on the OUTSIDE of the box.

Tape the edges of the two arms together to make your "stage" stand up.

Do the same to your second piece of paper: Cut it to make a large square, fold it, cut out one of the quarters, fold the edges up to form half a box. Draw and decorate your box faces, then tape them in place.

Once you have 2 "stages", fit them together to form an entire block. Tape the edges together, doing your best to keep the tape either INSIDE the block, or close to the edge on the outside. This is a tricky process and can take some practice. You'll need to experiment to see the best way for you to do it.

When you're done, you can add colored tape (electrician's tape) to dress up the outside of seams on the box.

A CODE YOU CAN USE:

1) Color scheme your messages so they're easier to reconstruct. For example, your message "Dear Eddie, Thanks For The Great Birthday Cake" could all be written on blue and yellow striped paper.

In your message "M E R R Y X M A S" the letters might all be written with Green letters on Green Paper.

	Cut your paper to make one large square -- (For example, on a 9" x 12" piece of paper, you can make a 9" square.)
	Fold your square in half, then in half again, so you have quartered it. Crease the paper well, so the folds stay.
	Unfold the paper and cut out one of the quarters, so you have three squares left attached to each other
	On the outside of your 3 walls, draw letters and/or words from your message(s). Even if you don't use up all your sides for messages, you can still draw pictures on them. (ALTERNATE METHOD: Draw your message letters & pictures on pieces of paper which will fit on the face of your block. Then, glue the extra pieces of paper onto your block faces.)
	Fold the two arms up to form half a box. (It will make a "stage-like" area, with a floor and two walls.) Make sure your pictures are on the OUTSIDE of the box.
	Tape the edges of the two arms together to make your "stage" stand up.