C.J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
How to Make a DIY Busy Board For Toddlers
If you have a toddler or there is a toddler in your life, you will understand this….they are busy little creatures! When my tech-loving nephew started repeatedly asking me to show him all the plumbing, fire detectors and switches in our home during every video chat, he gave me inspiration to create a busy board for his birthday gift.
I love creating unique gifts for people, and this busy board is definitely unique, as I tailored it to his loves. If you want to make one for the toddler in your life, it’s easily customizable. Read on to learn how to make a DIY busy board for toddlers.
Compiling Safe Items for the Busy Board
We raided our home DIY storage supply and came up with some items that would be safe for him to play with like a rocker switch, a thermostat (which worked as we had it still from replacing our old thermostat with a Nest) a light socket switch, and more.
Here are some of the other items you will need to make a toddler busy board:
common SAFE items like switches, knobs, locks, zippers, etc.
screws (we used what we had on hand, but you could try a 1/2 inch screw or a size that won’t go completely through to the other side of the board)
nails (the light socket required us to nail it to the board)
sanded wood board (we cut a piece of select pine into a 1”x8”x14'“ size, which was kind of costly when we had to ship it, so if shipping this item, I’d go with a smaller size board)
drill
hammer
We used a label maker to print out the names of each item to help my nephew's vocabulary and reading skills
We printed vocabulary for the busy board using a label maker
After lightly sanding our board with some 220 grit (fine) sandpaper, we laid out all the items to fit onto the board. We attached the items using a drill and screws and some nails. I held them in place while my husband drilled the screws in place and hammered the nails.
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We tested out the busy board before sending it to him and even I liked playing with it! I knew if I liked turning the switches, then he would love it too. The only thing I was concerned with was the bungee. It had a small clasp that I was afraid my nephew may pinch his fingers with.
I didn’t think about it until after I added it to the board. I simply told my sister to watch him playing with that item (as you should always watch kids playing with toys…and she definitely does this!) and to cut it off if it became a problem.
Everything on the board was 100% functional in some way, meaning the knobs turned and the switches rocked, exactly as they should. My nephew and all children love things that are functional. As a former art teacher, I witnessed my kindergartners always gravitating towards things that moved when I brought creative centers to their classrooms. They especially loved construction straws.
Everything we selected for the board were items my techie-loving nephew absolutely loves. After constructing the board, we used our label maker to print out the exact vocabulary word for each item. The labels are sticky, so we peeled off the backing and attached the appropriate word next to the item.
Our Completed DIY Toddler Busy Board
If you make a DIY busy board, tailor it to your own child's needs, loves and age. Try adding shoelaces if they are older so they can practice tying shoes (I remember loving mine as a child…it really worked!), faucet knows so they can practice turning on faucet knobs and more. If you don’t feel like making your own, do a Google search for “Busy Board” and you will find plenty to buy.
Did you try this DIY project? If so, let us know in the comments section below!
C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Little Ways to Get Back To You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.