Geoboards are a great tool for math. Plus they are fun for kids to play and explore with. While you could easily purchase a geoboard, why not have a bit of fun and make your own for a little less! So, after seeing the geoboard over at Spinner’s End Nursery, I was determined to make one {or two} for my kiddos.
I made mine a little bit different from the one linked above, but the concept is still the same. (I love that it is made of wood because the wood is a bit sturdier than the plastic geoboards I see most often!)
Supplies:
– a wooden board (I got mine from Michaels. It was sanded with beveled edges for about $2.)
– black spray paint
– hairbows (I got mine from the Dollar Store)
– lots of push pins (also from Dollar Store)
– graph paper
– pen/pencil
– hammer
Instructions:
First, I spray painted the wooden board. Then, I used a pencil and graph paper to mark off the grid template. I made mine about 1.5 inches apart. Next, I laid the grid onto the board.
I made two geoboards and things went much better the second time around. With the first one, I hammered down all the push pins leaving just a bit of room to tear the graph paper away before hammering the pins all the way down. I found this to be very tedious and time-consuming, because the paper kept ripping in very small pieces.
The second time around I took one push pin and pushed it in to mark all of the holes. I only pushed it in enough for me to see the little holes. Then, I took the graph paper off and found all the little holes and hammered push pins into them. It seemed to work much better this way.
All of the kids love playing with their new geoboards and they were so easy to make!
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Like the Homemade Geoboard? |
Looking for more fun math activities, check out my Math Printables page!
Be sure to check out Kid Friendly Friday over at I Blame My Mother for more great kid friendly ideas!
Sesame Street {Color Names} File Folder Game
Tami
So cute!
I’d love it if you shared this with the Fun Family Crafts audience.
FFC is similar to Craftgawker but it only features kid friendly tutorials.
Looking forward to seeing what fun crafts you submit!
http://funfamilycrafts.com
Lisa
Wow, this reminds me of those nail art pictures from the 70’s. Simple idea and great fun.
Mama Jenn
No, my kids have not been able to pull the push pins out…though I am not sure if they have even tried to pull them out.
Melissa Ricketts Creech
Can your kids pull the push pins out? that is what I would be afraid of. That’s what my 3 year old would try to do, I’m afraid.
Mama Jenn
Yep, making it can be as much fun or more than actually playing with it! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Monica
This is wonderful! My seven-year-old daughter is thrilled at the prospect of making (and playing with) this board. Her favorite activities are painting and using the hammer—which there aren’t many occasions to do. 🙂
I’ve also pinned this on Pinterest so that more people can find it!
Mama Jenn
Our board is about 9×11 inches. Hope that helps!
Dawn Baskin
can you tell me about how big the board is? I think we might make this with our cub scout den.
Heather - CROQZine.com - Dolla
My 3 year-old son just saw this on the screen and asked what is, and when I explained it, he said “Oh, we should get one of those, mom!”
ms t
great idea, but since my nephew is only 2 i think i’m going to use wooden dowels & glue, instead of push pins — yes, it will take a bit more work on my part but i won’t have to worry about him playing with the sharp pins. i’m also going to start him off with shoe laces, instead of elastics, at least until he gets a bit older!
Amy@ kids bean bag
This idea is fantastic 🙂 I’m gonna make one for my kid, thanks a lot.
Amy@ kids bean bag
This idea is fantastic 🙂 I’m gonna make one for my kid, thanks a lot.
Mommy
What a great idea I might have to take a trip to Michaels today!!
I’m your newest follower I’d love a follow back @ http://myadventures-in-mommyland.blogspot.com/
ms t
great idea, but since my nephew is only 2 i think i’m going to use wooden dowels & glue, instead of push pins — yes, it will take a bit more work on my part but i won’t have to worry about him playing with the sharp pins. i’m also going to start him off with shoe laces, instead of elastics, at least until he gets a bit older!
Mari
Thankx. I thought i was following, but gfc keeps knocking me offof follow for some reason lol. now off to plan geo board making.
Manda
Sweeeet! Just what I was looking for! Way cuter than the paper-covered plywood tutorials!
Lori
Love the geo-board! I have wanted to make one but couldn’t figure out in my mommy brain how to evenly space the pegs…your idea brilliant!
Thanks for sharing
Nikki
Wow, great idea. Thank you! My son will love making one of these.
Kelly
This was an awesome post, I made one as a gift for my daughters friend, I made a 7 x 7 grid and used rubber bands, and it in no way is as cute as yours, but it was super fun to make. Thank you for all the great ideas you share with us – the less creative!
Mama to 3 Blessings
I love this idea – my preschooler would love this. You have a very nice blog! 🙂 Very informative!
Nicole
PlanningQueen
This is such a great idea. Looking forward to making them with my kids!
Michelle
I love this!! I wanted to get one but now I am going to make Emily one like this. I love the bright colors of the hair bow elastics and we have plenty of those already! Thanks for sharing
Mrs. Wright
This is also going in my ‘stolen idea’ folder!! Thanks!
Heather - CROQZine.com - Dollarstorecrafts.com
My 3 year-old son just saw this on the screen and asked what is, and when I explained it, he said “Oh, we should get one of those, mom!”
Holly
Thanks for the idea!
Sarah
This is fantastic! Bookmarking it now…will need to remember next time go to Michael’s. Kids could take a piece of string and make a picture as well.
Sherry
That is great! Thanks for the post! I will be making that!