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Writer’s block.
Photographer’s block.

People say that like it’s a bad thing, but we happen to like blocks. Lego blocks, glass blocks, Irina Blok… we’re big fans.

That’s why we came up with this photo block puzzle. It’s a little like our Photo Blocks, but squarer and bigger and harder to solve, and with a bunch more photos.

It’s a set of blocks we’d proudly display on our coffee table any day of the week.

How to Make Your Own Photo Puzzle Blocks

Photo credit: jeansman

A Photo Block Puzzle, You Say?

After we learned to walk, people seemed to frown on us still playing with blocks. Yeah, well, now we’re grownups and we can do what we want, so we’re gonna play with blocks, dang it.

We’re just making it more sophisticated by gluing photos to our blocks and turning them into a big colorful photo puzzle to solve.

Leave a set scattered on your coffee table, and see how long it takes before everyone else starts playing with blocks too.

What You’ll Need

• 16 wooden blocks (we used Danish alphabet blocks!)
• Ruler
• Square format image(s)
• Matte photo paper
• X-acto knife and cutting mat
• Glue, rubber cement, or Mod Podge
• Small paintbrush

Step 1: Measure

Arrange 16 blocks in a square and measure the length and width of the square.

Choose a square format image and resize it to match the length and width of your blocks (ours was 7″ x 7″).

Step 2: Print and Trim

Print the image on matte photo paper and let it dry.

When dry, use a ruler and x-acto knife to trim it to size.

Step 3: Apply Glue

Use a small paintbrush to spread glue on the back of the image.

Arrange the blocks in a square on top of the print. Position them so they’re lined up neatly as close together as possible.

Let the whole thing rest until the glue is completely dry.

Step 4: Cut Apart

Once the glue’s dry, turn the square of blocks right side up.

Use a ruler as a guide to cut the blocks apart. Cut as neatly as you can along the line between the blocks.

There you go- you’ve got yerself some photo puzzle blocks!

Step 5: Repeat

Repeat steps 2-4 as many times as you like. You can cover all 6 sides of the blocks with different photos, or leave a couple of sides bare.

The more photos you have, the more time you can spend happily solving your photo puzzles.

Step 6: Scramble and Solve

Mix all your photo blocks together, and scatter them on your coffee table for friends to solve when they come over.

Make a couple of sets and have races to see who can solve their puzzle first!

More Ideas

• Make your own wood blocks by cutting blanks into cubes. Leave at least one side blank so you can see the wood.
• Make different-sized puzzles with 4 blocks, 9 blocks, 25 blocks… you get the picture.
• Not a square shooter? Make rectangular puzzles to fit all your rhomboid photo needs.

Photo credit: jeansman