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DIY Magnetic Felt Board for the Fridge

July 17, 2012 by Jaimi Erickson 19 Comments

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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.

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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!)


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.

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.

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.

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.

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!
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? 

Successful Mom Daily Checklist to help you gain balance between housework and play time with the kids. Get more done, and feel more successful as a mom and homemaker.

Enjoy your time at home!

Your Name

Filed Under: activities, quick tip Tagged With: crafty, DIY, DIY toys, felt board, fine motor, preschool, toddlers

Comments

  1. Swetha says

    January 17, 2017 at 1:19 pm

    Hi Jaimi, going to do this awsome activity.. I have a doubt, what’s the thing that’s holding the ziploc bag to the fridge? Sorry for my little knowledge!!

    Reply
    • Jaimi says

      January 22, 2017 at 3:50 pm

      It’s a paper bag that has two long strips of magnetic tape on the back holding it to the fridge. Hope that helps! Have fun. 🙂

      Reply
      • Swetha says

        January 22, 2017 at 10:26 pm

        No, not about the actual project. What’s holding ziploc bag to the fridge and how?
        BTW, made this felt board. It’s super easy. Thanks for the idea!!

        Reply
        • Jaimi says

          January 27, 2017 at 2:15 pm

          Oh, sure! A magnetic clip is holding the baggie to the fridge. I’m so glad you liked the project!

          Reply
  2. Helen @ Witty Hoots says

    December 3, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    Great ideas! Thanks for joining in with #frugalfamilylinky!

    Reply
    • Jaimi says

      December 5, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      Thanks so much, Helen. I appreciate you stopping by and taking a look.

      Reply
  3. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    November 30, 2014 at 1:49 am

    This looks even easier than the one I made using a cork board and felt! Very creative! #FrugalFamilyLinky

    Reply
    • Jaimi says

      November 30, 2014 at 10:19 pm

      It was really nice to have it be so flexible and lightweight. Essential in our kitchen with so many little ones wanting my attention. 🙂 Love it! There are so many ways to make these aren't there? It's so fun to see all the creativity.

      Reply
  4. Alison B says

    November 27, 2014 at 9:54 am

    Great idea for keeping little hands busy!

    Reply
    • Jaimi says

      November 30, 2014 at 10:18 pm

      Thanks, Alison! It is a great addition to the fridge-and kitchen-to keep those little hands busy so I can prep dinner a little bit easier.

      Reply
  5. craftyantoinette.com says

    October 31, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    OK, our fridges could be twins (minus the fabulous) felt board. 🙂 What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Jaimi@The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide says

      November 1, 2013 at 8:46 pm

      Ha ha! The front of the fridge can end up being so kid-focused, can't it? Thanks so much for the nice comment about the felt board. I appreciate you stopping by!

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    October 29, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    great idea…its sooo cool!!! Jaimi does a piece of caedboard work instead of brown paper?

    Reply
    • Jaimi says

      November 6, 2012 at 6:00 pm

      You certainly could use a piece of cardboard, but be careful if you want the finished felt board to stick to the fridge door. The cardboard may not bend around the front of the door (some fridge doors have a slight curve to them) or it may be too heavy to stick with the magnetic tape. Worth a try, though! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

      Reply
  7. becki says

    July 20, 2012 at 6:22 pm

    I love this idea! I have a bunch of magnets in the drawer and a pile of brown paper bags too. I think I'll try it!

    Reply
    • Jaimi says

      July 20, 2012 at 6:48 pm

      Becki, that is awesome! I hope it is a hit in your home. All the best!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Teach Toddlers Colors - The Stay-at-Home-Mom Survival Guide says:
    September 8, 2016 at 10:36 pm

    […] DIY Felt Board with Colored Shapes […]

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  2. Make Your Own Bean Bags says:
    August 19, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    […] DIY Magnetic Fridge Felt Board Enjoy your time with your children, Linked up at: […]

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  3. Hanger Scale DIY Toy says:
    August 19, 2015 at 11:00 pm

    […] determine which is the “lightest”.  For more homemade fun check out: Felt Board Made from a Brown Paper Bag Workin’ at the Car […]

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