A snip here and a snip there, and two kitchen sponges morph into interchangeable puzzles that will captivate a toddler.

Materials
Cardboard or card stock
Pencil
Scissors
2 new 1/2-inch-thick kitchen sponges, in different colors
Washable marker

Step 1: Make a template. To do so, trace the perimeter of the sponge onto the cardboard, then draw a simple shape in the center of that rectangle, leaving at least a 1/2-inch border between the sides of the rectangle and your shape. You can draw one freehand or download traceable templates from our Web site.
Tip: To be sure that a hand-drawn shape is symmetrical (so it fits easily in the sponges), first fold the cardboard so that the rectangle is split in two, then draw half of your shape against the fold (the same technique you would use to make a heart-shaped valentine).

Step 2: Cut out the shape.

Step 3: Wash the sponges in soapy water, rinse them, and wring them out well. Now center the template on one sponge and trace around it with the marker. Cut out the shape (fold the sponge to make the first snip). Repeat with the second sponge, then switch the shapes for a pair of two-color puzzles. Make as many pairs as you like.