These felt and magnetic boards are lots of fun and easy to make! They are a great combo of a felt board to play with on one side and a magnetic surface to play with on the other side. The other day I made 4 boards in under an hour. Two for my kids and 2 for our friends that were about to take a 13 hour (each way) car ride to visit grandparents for Thanksgiving. They are great to play with on a long car ride, in a waiting room or at home. This is also a great, cheap gift to make for kids as gifts. I actually did all four for under 4 dollars because all I purchased were the cookie sheets. I already had everything else. Here is how you do it!
Safety Notes: The making of this project should be done by an adult since there are sharp scissors and hot glue involved.
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Once made, this toy is best for kids and tots that are beyond the age where everything goes in their mouth as there are small pieces of felt and magnets.
What you will need:
- felt - a piece that is big enough to cover the cookie sheet
- felt - scraps to make into small shapes
- a hot glue gun [SAFETY NOTE: KEEP BABIES AND CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AWAY FROM HOT GLUE GUNS AND HOT GLUE!]
- scissors that can cut felt
- a small cookie sheet (mine were about .97 cents at Walmart)
- a zip lock bag for the felt pieces and magnets
- this Pyro Guard glove is great to have so you don't get burt by the glue
- magnet letters or any magnets that you want your kids to play with (beware of choking hazards)
Directions:
- Cut a rectangle of felt to fit in the cookie sheet.
- Run a double line of hot glue (with the glue gun) along one edge.
- Quickly press (best if protective glove is on) the felt onto the glue line.
- Repeat for other edges. I only did two edges but the more the better.
- Let the glue cool/harden.
6. Now cut lots of shapes out of different colors of felt. Note: The felt shapes never get attached to the board. They are simply placed on and then taken off later to make a new picture. There you have it!
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an example of a felt board picture
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Both sides can be used for creative or educational purposes. This toy is great for a wide range of ages and it will grow with your child. You can tell stories with a felt board, practice letters, numbers, patterns, matching or shapes, or play and use your imagination!
The magnetic side is great for spelling practice or anything listed above depending on what kinds of magnets you use!
Have fun with it and let us know what you think!!
Leave thoughts and comments below!!
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Thanks!!
This is super cool! I am afraid of glue guns (my own ineptness, not hurting myself), but will try it. Is the "Pyro" glove like the "Ove Glove," as seen on TV -- short for oven, I guess -- and where do you get one? I have always loved felt boards; remember them from Sunday school, telling Bible stories, etc., and think they're low-tech wonders. Can you get felt anywhere outside of a materials store (like Jo-Ann Fabrics, for example)?
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteI fixed your comment so it doesn't read "unknown" or whatever it was calling you.
Yes this glove is actually for cooking. If you go to the mention of it above, the words "Pyro Guard glove" should appear blue. The blue text is a link to the actual product on Amazon. Great item to have!
Michael's or any craft store will have felt. You could probably find it in the craft section of a super store too.
Thanks for your thoughts!
This looks great. I never thought of using a cookie sheet as a board for a felt tray. I just need to get a glue gun and the glove. Great suggestion by the way on the pyro-glove. To reader above, I have always gotten my felt sheets from Michael's Arts and Crafts store.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteYes that is a great glove to have!
You can do the craft without this glove too but just use something like a spoon to press the felt down to the hot glue so that you don't burn yourself.
I love that you've made this a dual purpose board - very clever!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Maryanne! I can't really take all of the credit. I saw this idea somewhere online a long time ago. Glad I finally tried it out!
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