Art becomes an engaging puzzle when you create your own dot-to-dot activities. Making dot-to-dot images from your own pictures is a simple way to encourage a child's artistic skills and teach him about shape and form. You don't have to be a great artist, as simple pictures with clear outlines are ideal for dot-to-dots, but using your own images means you can create a puzzle that matches the interests of the child you are making it for.
- Skill level:
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Things you need
- Thin paper or tracing paper
- Black felt-tip pen
- Heavy coins
Place your pictures on a flat surface such a tabletop or tray.
Lay a sheet of thin paper over the top of your original image and place one or two heavy coins on top at each corner as weights to hold it in place while you create the dot-to-dot.
Trace the outline of the original picture onto the top sheet of paper with felt-tip pens, using a series of dots rather than continuous lines. Continue until you have dotted around the entire outline of the image.
Trace a few small details inside the dot-to-dot outlines using continuous lines, such as eyes or noses, if your original picture was an animal. This saves trying to make dot-to-dot outlines for small shapes and will give children a clue as to what their dot-to-dot will be when they complete it.
Tips and warnings
- Animal pictures are ideal for dot-to-dot puzzles and will also help children learn about different creatures. When creating your original pictures, keep outlines simple and draw them with thick pen lines in dark colours so that they can be easily seen through the paper used for the dot-to-dot.
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