Fine Motor
SensoryBabyToddlers50 Comments
Sometimes toddlers need to just move! And sometimes toddlers need to just be busy. Make this crazy awesome toddler busy board, shared by a fellow Huddler, Leann. It’s going to entertain your toddler for days to come.
Our little Supernova can be quite the challenge when it comes to picking toys for her. At 19 months, she rarely wants to play with traditional toys, so I frequently scour the wonderful world of Pinterest to find ideas to entertain her.
A quick search will provide you with plenty of ideas for toddler busy boards.
You can make it as big or small, colorful or not! It’s really up to your creativity.
Some people use things they have around their house to create a board like this. But seeing as I’m not the handyman sort, I had to buy almost everything new.
What’s included in this toddler busy board:
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A sturdy back board for the busy board.
I knew that I wanted something a little fancier to be able to throw into our living room and have it look really good.
Because of this I bought a thicker, ¾ inch plywood board from Home Depot.
The guys in the lumber section thought it would have been possible to create this with a much thinner board. But I didn’t want screws poking out the back, so ¾ inch worked for us.
I also bought varnish and a waterproof finish. This allowed me to choose the background color of the board. Having a finish on it means that if anything gets spilled on the board during play, it’s super easy to wipe off without worry about damaging the wood.
You could probably do something similar with any commercial paints if you didn’t want the wood finish, but I liked the natural look in the back.
There’s more to the name.
The name section is one of my favorites. I found the wooden letter’s to Nova’s name at a local craft store.
I painted the letters in basic colors to help with color identification, and then attached commercial grade Velcro to the back (you’ll find I used a lot of Velcro for this project!).
I had a few pieces of felt lying around from other projects. I cut a brown piece and super glued it to the wood.
I felt like this would give her a better chance to learn to stick the letters on without having to be perfect.
The busy board fun is in the details!
The pop light and zebra squeaky toy were both things we had lying around the house.
Originally I had wanted to put an actual light switch on the board, but I’m no electrician, so the pop light worked in a pinch and still teaches the cause and effect I was looking for.
Also try these activities that keep kids busy!
The zebra was a squeaky toy from infant days that still seemed like a fun (but not so annoying) noise making option for the board.
Both were attached with Velcro so they’d be easy to remove if need be.
The ball drop is a simple PVC plumbing pipe that I painted white. I then colored it like a rainbow with Sharpies, again for that color identification.
We use little pompom balls for the drop, but realistically you could use anything that would fit through the tube.
I was concerned about the basket at the bottom being ripped off continuously, so I attached it with industrial Velcro so that it’s easy to pull off and put back on.
The question mark squares in the center are thinner pieces of plywood I had left over from another project that I painted and attached to hinges so she can open and close them. Eventually I’ll put stuff under them for her to feel and see.
The section at the bottom with the wheels is another favorite section!
I found a magnetic doorstop! Little miss loves her magnets so I thought it would be a fun inclusion.
The other half of the doorstop pushes in like a button, so I included that in the top center of the board.
She also loves spinning the black wheel and twanging the other doorstop in that bottom section.
The whisk in the center of the board is a multi-use portion. She can slide it along the door handle or pull the spring part of the whisk apart and watch it mold back into shape.
The other door handle with the bells on it is similar, except I wanted something else to make more noise. I took some decorative rope I had used for Christmas last year and tied the bells on to that so she could shake the rope and get the full jingle effect.
It’s quite entertaining when she gets a good beat!
Lastly, I picked a bunch of different kinds of security locks to throw all over. These are great for open and close concepts, learning to twist things, put keys in holes, etc.
She seems to spend a lot of time just tinkering with these especially.
And that’s the basics of our busy board! I hope this gives you some great ideas for your own.
Share your own ideas for a busy board in the comments.
Item list for our toddler busy board:
- Old Toys
- Pop Light
- Wooden Letters of Name
- Whisk
- Drawer handles
- Security Locks and Keys
- Bells and Rope
- PVC Pipe
- Magnetic Door Stop
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LILIANA SMALL says
Hello, thanks for sharing this. I do have a question for you. My sons are 22 months old, very busy and active boys. I have been wanting to make something like this for quite some time but never seem to get to it until now. Do you think they are too old for this? it might sound like a non-sense question but I don’t know.
Tabitha Lightfoot says
Hi Liliana! I think your boys would be the perfect age for this! Let us know how it turns out if you try it!
Shera Orquia says
Hi I’m starting this project but was wondering if you could post or email more pictures? You described the question marks but could see them in the picture. Also you do not have a whole picture of your board. I’m needing to buy everything as well. This is such a cool project and I’m excited to make it for my baby for Christmas!
Vera says
I actually made a list of my boy’s favorite busy board elements with pictures
It might be a bit too late for Shera, but whoever is looking for the same info, is welcome
Ashley says
I was just wondering what size of board you used??
Denise Lorincz says
How is this supported when they are playing with it?? It looks like it’s just leaning up against the couch.
Kristin says
I am wondering how well the super glue held the objects on the board. I am concerned with my grandson pulling off the pieces and putting into his mouth.
Rachel says
Hi Kristin! I would recommend just checking the pieces when you pull it out to play to make sure they are still attached securely. Also, supervision is always the best policy! Hope your grandson enjoys it!
Sandra says
Looks awesome
Khushbu says
I liked it soo much love u for telling tht
Vera says
Adorable! This spring door stopper is just the best, the babies are always so fond of it boiiiinginng! :) Ball drop is another huge hit.
I’ve been making busy-boards for a few years now. My top advice is – go bold with colors. It does make a huge difference, especially in the playroom. Also, I love using lots of sound elements – like the jingle bells you have here. If you’re lucky to find honks or concierge bells, they work great too.
Vera says
I literally wrote an A to Z list of coolest busy board items here :) you’re welcome!
sandra says
I would suggest covering the edges with pool noodles for color and safety.
Natalie says
I kind of lack vision. How do you cover the edges with pool noodles?
Jamie Reimer says
Hey Natalie — slice a pool noodle the long way and slip it over the edge of the board. Does that make sense?
g.mythilisaravanan says
too good
Anouschka Glunt says
Thank you for sharing this! It’s amazing and I’m definitely going to try to make my daughter one too! I love the idea of the velcro, I hadn’t thought of that yet!
Mandy Slabaugh says
Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic idea! My 16 month old is the busiest baby girl we have ever known! ?
I really think this is something that will keep her attention! Can’t wait to make ours!
Stephanie says
I love this!! How did you attach the red faucet?
Barb says
What a great activity/learning board for a busy toddler. I’ve been thinking of making something similar and this gives me wonderful ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Gude @HodgePodgeCraft says
This is ALL KINDS OF AWESOME!
#Pintorials
Mel @ Adventures of Mel says
This is such a cool project. My youngest could definitely have kept busy with this back in the day; he was one busy boy. He’d probably still love it. Thank you for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in this week’s issue and on Instagram this Wednesday.
Victoria says
Jamie thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop and sharing your fun Toddler Busy Board Activities with all of us! This is so great! Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to see you on Monday again!
Alli @ Tornadough Alli says
This is adorable and it fits so well as my daughters name is also Nova! She is turning 2 next week. Love this so much. Thanks for sharing with us at #WonderfulWednesday
otilia says
Such a great idea! thank you for linking with the #pinitparty
Mum of One says
Thanks so much for sharing with this week’s #pinitparty. I will be featuring in next weeks party on Monday x
Jamie Reimer says
Thank you!
Liz says
I love this!
I’m going to go on a scavenger hunt in my Dad’s garage as I’m sure he will have lots of bits and pieces I could use to make one of these for my little Miss.