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Dinner time in our house is a bit hectic. I often have the twins pulling at my legs while trying to navigate my way through main dish, sides and filling up milk cups. It can get tricky (and a bit overwhelming) when everyone is so hungry that calm seems to be lost. I needed a way to distract the kids in the kitchen if they were not going to leave the kitchen while I was in the middle of dinner prep time. My solution: a flexible, lightweight magnetic felt board that is a simple DIY toy for kids. (And sanity saver for moms!)

Multiple colors of felt text reads DIY magnetic felt board for fridge.


I let my kids help with dinner when it is safe and appropriate, but at times I need to do it on my own. Here are the steps if you would like to make a felt board that can stick on any magnetic surface.


DIY Magnetic Felt Board

Supplies:

brown paper bag or piece of poster board

glue

2 heavy books (to use as weights)

1 piece of felt cut 2 inches larger (on all sides) than the paper bag

magnetic tape

scrap pieces of felt


Making the DIY Magnetic Felt Board

Step 1) With the brown paper bag folded flat, place some white glue under the bottom flap, between the two long sides and just under the two sides at the top of the bag. You are gluing the edges together to help add some stability and keep the bag together as one piece.

Sanity Saver for Moms: Dinner time prep can be calm! Turn the front of the refrigerator into a felt board play space-simple DIY felt board for the front of the fridge.
 
 
 
 Step 2) Place some heavy books on top of the glued bag to help the bag adhere while it dries.
 
 
Sanity Saver for Moms: Dinner time prep can be calm! Turn the front of the refrigerator into a felt board play space-simple DIY felt board for the front of the fridge.

Step 3) Cut a piece of felt fabric slightly larger  (1-2 inches should work) than the front of the bag. Lay the bag on top of the fabric.

Step 4) Run a bead of glue about 1/2 inch in from the edge of the paper bag. Fold in the edges of fabric like you would wrap a present trimming the corners so that the fabric lays as flat as possible. Remember this is the back, so it needs to be as flat as it can be, but doesn’t need to be perfectly trimmed!

Sanity Saver for Moms: Dinner time prep can be calm! Turn the front of the refrigerator into a felt board play space-simple DIY felt board for the front of the fridge.

Step 4) Press and hold the edges of the fabric down so that the fabric adheres to the bag. Let it dry.

Step 5) Place the bag back side up. Using a role of magnetic tape, cut strips slightly shorter than two of the sides of the paper bag (as shown in the picture). Peel off the paper backing from the magnetic tape and press the strip of magnet along the fabric edge on the backside of the bag. (The magnet tape will be stuck about 1 inch in from the outside edge of the bag sides.)

Sanity Saver for Moms: Dinner time prep can be calm! Turn the front of the refrigerator into a felt board play space-simple DIY felt board for the front of the fridge.
 

Step 6) You are done! You have a portable, magnetic felt board. Try our other DIY toys for more learning fun that does not cost a lot.

Sanity Saver for Moms: Dinner time prep can be calm! Turn the front of the refrigerator into a felt board play space-simple DIY felt board for the front of the fridge.

I stick mine on the front of the fridge with a baggie to hold felt shapes for play. We have had simple geometric shapes and pieces to make felt snowmen. You can use any free printable from sites such as Making Learning Fun to create felt board pieces. Simply color, cutout and laminate, then attach the hook side of velcro to the back of the piece. It can now be stuck to the felt board.

How to teach a toddler activity free download guide for subscribers to the stay at home mom survival guide.

Even toddlers can play with the felt board. You can cut out different sized circles from scrap felt, or a variety of different shapes. Even the letters of their name, animal cutouts, or different colors can be explored.

A DIY magnetic felt board that is light and flexible to stick on the front of the fridge is a meal-time sanity saver for moms! I can cook in relative peace, and my kids get to explore a fun activity.
 
If you like to make DIY toys for kids, you should check out this DIY tray table for toddlers shared by a mom who reads this blog!
 
Felt shapes in a pile next to a pair of scissors. Text reads DIY magnetic felt board for fridge.
Turn a paper bag into a magnetic felt board for your fridge. This is a perfect activity surface to keep toddlers and preschool kids busy while you make dinner.
 
 
Have you made any simple toys for your kids? 

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