Torres Strait Islander Drumming Puzzle

Piece together a scene of a Torres Strait Islander playing a drum with this 12-piece wooden jigsaw puzzle. Handcrafted in Sydney from sustainably sourced Australian timber, it gives children a hands-on way to practise fine motor skills, hand–eye coordination and problem-solving while making Torres Strait Islander culture visible in everyday classroom play.

As children pick up, turn and place each piece, they learn to look closely at shapes, colours and details. The wooden tray gives them a defined space to work in and keeps the puzzle together between sessions. Designed for ages 3 and up, it suits independent play, paired activities and educator-led discussions in early learning centres, kindergartens and junior primary classrooms.

Why Educators Love It

• Builds fine motor skills as children grasp, rotate and fit the wooden pieces.

• Encourages concentration and persistence as children test where pieces fit and try another approach when they get stuck.

• Prompts conversation about music and culture through an image of a Torres Strait Islander musician.

• Packs away easily in its own wooden tray, ready for the next group.

How to Use It

• Invite children to work in pairs and describe the clues they used to find a match.

• Look at the finished image together and ask children what they notice about the instrument and how it is being played.

• Pair the puzzle with a recording or video shared by Torres Strait Islander musicians or cultural organisations so children can hear drumming and learn about it from Torres Strait Islander voices.

EYLF Outcomes Supported

• Outcome 1 – Children have a strong sense of identity. Make Torres Strait Islander culture visible in everyday learning resources and invite children to share their own experiences of music.

• Outcome 3 – Children have a strong sense of wellbeing. Practise pausing, trying again and asking for help when a piece is tricky to place.

• Outcome 5 – Children are effective communicators. Describe the scene, explain puzzle strategies and listen to others’ observations.

Product Details

• Includes one 12-piece wooden puzzle with a wooden storage tray

• Material sustainably sourced Australian timber

• Made in Australia and handcrafted in Sydney

• Dimensions 34 × 24 × 1 cm

• Weight 0.6 kg

• Recommended age 3 years and up