Make a DIY Name Puzzle with a Cricut Maker

Wooden name puzzles make great gift ideas and fun bedroom decor pieces for kids. And with your Cricut Maker, they’re easy to make! Here’s how to easily make your own custom name puzzle.

If you have a Circut Maker, you have the ability to make all kinds of fun and creative projects! Today I have a great wood craft idea that you can make as a fun, personalized gift idea or you could even make it to sell on Etsy. I also like to make them and give them as gifts for a new baby because they make a fun addition to the nursery.

Did you know that you can make your own name puzzle? Yes, a personalized name puzzle is super easy to make with the Cricut Maker and the knife blade. Here’s how to make a custom name puzzle in just minutes!

DIY Name Puzzle Supplies Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to complete this project. I’ve included links to help make finding specific items faster and easier. Please note: many of these links are affiliate links which means that if you purchase by clicking through my link you don’t pay anymore, however, a portion of your purchase will go to support this site.

• Cricut Maker (Click here to learn about the differences between the machines.)
• Knife Blade (Click here to learn more about the blade.)
• 1/16″ Basswood sheets
• Cricut Strong Grip Mat
• 2 mm chipboard
• Masking tape
• DAP RapidFuse Wood Adhesive
• Americana Color Stain (in as many colors as you would like)
• Paintbrushes
• Rags

How to Make a Name Puzzle with Cricut Maker

Your first step is to actually design the name puzzle you are going to cut. Since each personalized name puzzle is different, you will need to design your own.

Designing a Wooden Name Puzzle in Cricut Design Space

I’ve broken down the entire process into very manageable bite-sized pieces. Simply follow these steps.

Step 1

Start with the rectangle piece by searching the image tab for “rectangle”. There is a rounded corner version that said “free” on my version of CDS. Choose that and add it to your canvas.

Step 2

This particular rectangle has two pieces. Ungroup and delete the one without rounded corners.

Step 3

Turn the rectangle as shown.

Step 4

Next, add your text. The “Birthday Cakes” font is perfect for this project.

Step 5

Then, pick your text and click the eye next to the black version of the text. Move the font to your rectangle and resize everything to fit.

Make your puzzle any size that you like. Keep in mind the size of your basswood when doing so as this comes in odd size sheets. Then ungroup the text into two pieces.

Step 6

Move the top (gray) letter piece off. This will ensure that your letters are slightly smaller than the cut out in your puzzle.

Step 7

Make a copy of your rectangle.

Step 8

Choose the name on top of your first rectangle along with that rectangle and pick slice. This will remove the letters from the actual rectangle. Move the two words off and delete them.

Step 9

Now turn your second rectangle a different color and make your name pieces the same color as the rectangle with the name cutout.

Step 10

Then duplicate your name. Ungroup both of your names into letters with the menu option shown below.

Step 11

If your name has centers to any letters, pick the rectangle with the name and click contour. Pick any centers here then press the “x” on the screen. This will remove those from the cut.

Cutting Out Your Personalized Name Puzzle

Now you are ready to cut!

Also Read: How to Cut Wood with the Cricut Maker

Step 1

Click “make it” and the following screen will come up. You will probably want to move your pieces around as once again your basswood probably came in weird size sheets.

Step 2

Then pick your machine, material type, and begin your cut with your knife blade inserted. You will need to use the strong grip mat when cutting and use masking tape on all corners when cutting.

Cut the name pieces from the 1/16 basswood and the plain rectangle from the 2 mm chipboard.

Please note that cuts with the knife blade can take a while. This is considered “hands off” time so you can still make the puzzle in minutes. Just do other things while the Cricut Maker is cutting the pieces.

Grab by tips for cutting your parts with the knife blade

Assembling Your DIY Wooden Name Puzzle

Once your pieces are cut, it is time for some assembly! And yes those cuts are right off of the Cricut Maker. It is simply amazing the cuts you can get on heavy chipboard and wood.

Step 1

Use wood glue to first put the rectangles together. I love this DAP adhesive but you can use any wood glue that cures quickly.

Step 2

You will also want to glue the letters together. Then allow all of your pieces to cure before continuing.

Step 3

Stain or paint your glued letters.

I chose to just stain all of my letters with a different color stain. You can use any stains or paints in any colors you wish. I didn’t stain the actual puzzle portion but you could do that as well!

Step 4

Allow to dry completely! You now have a completed DIY puzzle!

The customization options are endless! Imagine all of the wood crafts you can make with this technique.

A custom name puzzle makes a great gift idea and is perfect for any occasion.

Try These Other Wood Projects!

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• Rustic Wood Arrow DIY Tutorial
• DIY Wood Coasters with the Cricut Maker
• 40 DIY Scrap Wood Projects You Can Make