Homemade Activity Boards And Homemade Toys

[cheerfuldom]

I am making an activity board similar to this (but better! I have lots of ideas...). Anybody have a picture to share of a similar item they have made?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/amazing-activity-boardlilla-a-142734

Any other homemade toys you want to share with the group?

[MyAngels]

I haven't done anything like that, but here are a couple of threads along the same line:

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35400

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35485

[Beach Baby]

I am working on one of these right now!! No pictures yet, I'm still in the designing phase. What are you adding to yours, if you don't mind sharing? I want to do a clothing one, as well, with a zipper, large button, snaps, buckles, etc. I can't wait to get them done, the kids are going to LOVE them!

[Sunchimes]

I made a colors soft book. I can just throw it in the washer and dryer when it gets drooled on. In hindsight, I wish that I had embroidered the color name on each page.
It also works as an I spy book since I tried to include pictures of things in the design.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I made a box of "wipes" out of different kinds of fabrics - littles love to pull the wipes out and put them back in!

[Blackcat31]

I am working on one of these right now!! No pictures yet, I'm still in the designing phase. What are you adding to yours, if you don't mind sharing? I want to do a clothing one, as well, with a zipper, large button, snaps, buckles, etc. I can't wait to get them done, the kids are going to LOVE them!

I am currently making some of these:

[DBug]

I made a box of "wipes" out of different kinds of fabrics - littles love to pull the wipes out and put them back in!

Did you use a recycled wipes container for the box, or did you use something else? I've got baby washcloths in a recycled container right now that the littles use for doll wipes, but I'd prefer to have something a little sturdier ...

[AfterSchoolMom]

Did you use a recycled wipes container for the box, or did you use something else? I've got baby washcloths in a recycled container right now that the littles use for doll wipes, but I'd prefer to have something a little sturdier ...

I use a recycled wipes container - the Huggies brand that is more decorative and has the soft/squishy opening and button rather than the harder plastic one. It holds up pretty well.

[Meyou]

I use a recycled wipes container - the Huggies brand that is more decorative and has the soft/squishy opening and button rather than the harder plastic one. It holds up pretty well.

That's what I use too. I have a pretty one that's red with polka dots. I cut most of the squishy part off though. My littles were getting frustrated trying to get the "wipes" started. They can get their whole hand in now easily.

[Meyou]

I am currently making some of these:

How big are there? Are you going to mount them on the wall like a busy board? Do you have a link to a tutorial??

[Blackcat31]

How big are there? Are you going to mount them on the wall like a busy board? Do you have a link to a tutorial??

No instructions....just a really good woodworker (DH )

They are actually trays (frames)the kids can use on a table or on their laps. I looked into the ones they sell on Montessori web-sites and when I showed my DH the prices he about choked. He said he can make half a dozen for the price they are charging for one.

Google "Montessori dressing frames" and you will see all the different options they have.

I have seen in some blogs that people buy old picture frames and use them but my DH just used two longer pieces of wood for the top and bottoms and dowels for the sides where the material is attached.

If you check out the ones they sell on Montessori sites, you cn see how intricate and complex some of them can be. Just by looking at some of the pictures though you can see how simple they really are to make yourself.

[Meyou]

No instructions....just a really good woodworker (DH )

They are actually trays (frames)the kids can use on a table or on their laps. I looked into the ones they sell on Montessori web-sites and when I showed my DH the prices he about choked. He said he can make half a dozen for the price they are charging for one.

Google "Montessori dressing frames" and you will see all the different options they have.

I have seen in some blogs that people buy old picture frames and use them but my DH just used two longer pieces of wood for the top and bottoms and dowels for the sides where the material is attached.

If you check out the ones they sell on Montessori sites, you cn see how intricate and complex some of them can be. Just by looking at some of the pictures though you can see how simple they really are to make yourself.

Thanks! I've never heard of them before and I love them. They're similar to a dressing busy book I have from when I was a child. I don't let the DCK's play with it since my grandmother made it for me and I'm saving it for my grandkids.