Do-it-yourself educational board (+40 photos): step-by-step instructions + video

Do-it-yourself busy board for children photo
A lot of attention is paid to the development of children. To help your baby learn to navigate reality and use everyday things correctly, there are special development boards - busy boards. The whole world owes their invention to the Italian Maria Montessori, who, having given birth to a baby, decided that everything in her house would be ideal from a pedagogical point of view. She cannot be called a discoverer, but it was she who organized all the available devices and created a toy that is used all over the world.

Even from the very cradle, babies are interested in everything and want to touch it: stick their fingers into a socket, play with a cabinet door, or simply master the mechanism of a door latch. As a rule, such entertainment is very dangerous. In this case, a busy board will be your faithful assistant. This educational board is absolutely safe for children of any age. The child will be happy, and the parents will be calm!

A very simple invention helps children develop fine motor skills at any age: from 1 year to 7-8 years. This educational toy will focus your child’s attention and help develop logic and coordination from a very early age.

How to make a busy board with your own hands

Types of busy boards

Busy boards are boards to the surface of which small elements surrounding the child in everyday life are attached. These can be a variety of chains, locks, latches, dummy sockets, laces, buttons. While playing, the child learns to use them himself and begins to understand why this or that element is needed.

Depending on the shape, all bodyboards are divided into several types:

• Boards are classic toys consisting of one board on which various elements are attached. Such toys can be placed on the floor or attached to a vertical surface.
• Double-sided or booklets . These toys are two boards installed on the floor or table in an unfolded “house” form. Here the game elements are attached on both sides. A very convenient device if there are two children at home.
• Houses are already multifunctional toys that have 6 active sides. Their sizes range from small to huge. Manufacturers offer various modifications of houses - with lighting, with a box for storing other toys.
• Cubes are modern models with 4 or 5 playing fields. These toys can be folded for easy storage. Their sizes also vary.
• Soft “puzzles” - intended for babies from 3 months to a year. They do not contain solid elements, and therefore the child will certainly not get hurt.

Depending on the model, a busy board can cost from 200 to several thousand rubles. However, if parents are excellent at using their hands and tools, then it is quite possible to save money and make a development board with your own hands. Moreover, at the same time, you can free your house from unnecessary trash. In addition, a board made with your own hands will definitely match your baby’s preferences.

The principle of working with materials and models

First, sketches are prepared, and then original patterns are formed in the full size of each frame detail. The simplest options for making a frame for different models of sofas:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oxLTnh9-PDI

• The base for a classic sofa should be made of a material that will hold its shape well. To simplify the task, it is better to prepare several separate parts, which are then connected: seat, back, handles. The seat is a rectangle with sufficient height; the back is the same rectangle, but with less thickness; two handles. If the base was made of foam rubber, then all the components can be connected using textile glue or thread. The foam is fixed exclusively with glue.
• The sofa will look best if the frame is made of cardboard. You can make a sofa for dolls from a box: use small cardboard shoe boxes or make them yourself and then put them together. The parts are fastened together using a stapler. Then each seam should be glued with tape.
• A Turkish sofa can be completely soft. A rectangular bag is sewn from fabric and filled with cotton wool, pieces of foam rubber or finely chopped foam. The rest depends on the decor, which is formed from a large number of small pillows.

In addition to a simple model, you can make a complex case that will fold out. Dads can tell you how to make a folding sofa for dolls so that the product completely imitates the original. A do-it-yourself sofa box for dolls is made as follows: cut the blank for the seat lengthwise into two equal parts, fasten them together in a movable way, imitating door canopies. Canopies can be two strips of fabric, which are attached to the parts at an equal distance, on one side.

When the base is ready, you can begin finishing. Here you can show your imagination and decorating skills.

Busyboard: step-by-step instructions

Self-tapping screws, loops, and laces are used as fastening methods. This is especially true for classic boards that need to be attached to a vertical surface. Due to the design features, books, houses and cubes can be installed anywhere in the apartment.

A homemade board can be made in about 2-3 hours. Despite the fact that old switches, sockets, wires may have remained after the new renovation and are lying in the apartment “just in case” without use. It's time to use them to make educational games for your baby.

First of all, you need to decide what shape you will make the toy. The simplest option is a regular board. But if you wish, you can create any kind - a book, a cube or a house. By the way, the second option is very often made by dads with their daughters - doll houses from boxes or, if the parent knows how to handle plywood, then from this material.

DIY educational board for children

Bathroom and toilet

For the toilet room we needed a toilet, sink and bathtub. It was necessary to make them quickly and simply.

And I decided to just sculpt them from modeling material. Which is what we subsequently did with our daughters (photo 30).

They may not be ideal, but they were made together. Our works took about a day to dry. Next, we painted them with white acrylic paint and coated them with glossy acrylic varnish. After drying, the tank turned out to be quite heavy, then I replaced it with a lighter one (cut it out of cork and painted it). To keep the sink stable on the wall, I glued a nightstand underneath it. The bedside table was painted like all the furniture in the house. Next, I glued the bedside table to the wall and floor of the house, and then glued the sink. A tap (made from modeling clay) and beads are glued to the sink. There was no ready-made mirror, and ours is also made of cardboard.

The toilet is made of several parts - the base, cockerel sticks, a tank (made of cork), chains and beads. This entire structure is complemented by a seat - cut out of cardboard and covered with plain fabric. In photo 32 the entire toilet room is in color.

So quickly and cheerfully, together with our daughters, we built our dollhouse from scrap materials. Such crafts always bring joy to children.

It may be quite simple for now, but my daughters are quite happy with it and enjoy playing together.

And another video on how to make a house for dolls with your own hands from plywood:
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Let's take a step-by-step look at how to assemble a development board

In total, the process of creating a development board looks like this:

1. Choosing the type of bodyboard.
2. Selection of base board and its processing.
3. Selection of elements.
4. Marking the board.
5. Fastening elements.
6. Installation of the board.

1. Find a small wooden board or regular plywood. The surface must first be prepared: sanded, painted or varnished. This is done so that the child does not put a splinter on himself. It is important to choose natural materials; artificial fabrics contain harmful impurities.
   A piece of plywood, plastic, laminated chipboard is suitable as a base. Non-laminated material can harm the baby by splintering his fingers, and ordinary wood is too heavy and expensive.

   Pieces of thin plywood, plastic, laminate, and fiberboard are also used as doors and other inserts. If you are making a board designed to introduce your baby to the world of fabrics, you can cover the base with a piece of dense material or use thick corrugated cardboard as its base.

   The size of the toy is selected in accordance with the age of the future user and the availability of free space in the room. The main condition is that the child must reach the desired object without leaving his place.

   When everything is assembled, you can start assembling the bodyboard. If you don’t know what and how to place on the board, you can look at photos of toys on the Internet or go to a children’s store and get inspired there.

   
   Do-it-yourself busy board for children (instructions)

2. Let's pick suitable elements. All elements are usually available at home. You can ask around from relatives, friends, acquaintances, or simply buy what you need in a store. In any case, the result will be much cheaper than buying a ready-made business board.
   It is recommended to attach elements from various areas of life and everyday life and a variety of materials to the board. The child must get used to the touch of metal bolts, plastic buttons, and wooden doors.

   It is recommended to attach elements from various areas of life and everyday life and a variety of materials to the board. The child must get used to the touch of metal bolts, plastic buttons, and wooden doors.

   Don't forget that the most important thing is safety. The child should not be injured by protruding parts or loose parts. Small nails, screws, and threads are used as fastenings;

3. Let's arrange the parts on the board in a random order, leaving enough space between them to look neat;
4. We secure them to the board with self-tapping screws or glue;
5. Let's stick it funny pictures for empty spaces or fill the space with multi-colored paint to make it bright;

   
   How to make a busy board for a child step by step

6. We board up the reverse side with the same board to hide traces of nails or screws for safe operation;
7. We check every detail for strength;
8. We make sure that our design does not pose any danger to the baby;
9. Let's play together to show your child how it works.

   
   DIY busy board for 3 years old

Accessories for busy boards

What do you need for a do-it-yourself business board?
What parts can be inserted onto the board? There are no clear rules in the selection of elements. Anything lying around or left after renovation in mezzanines and closets will do. The main thing is to remember safety! First of all, you need to carry out thorough disinfection with special detergents.

• 2-3 locks - with a key, chain, latch, latch or hook;
• Switches;
• Socket with plug;
• Wire or string with large beads;
• Bell, door lock;
• Chains;
• Wires or strings with large beads;
• Gears;
• Old telephone handsets with wire;
• TV remote control that you are not using;
• Magnets, Velcro;
• Jumper on a rope;
• Sneaker laces;
• Buttons
• Abacus
• Watch
• Labyrinths
• Sockets and plugs
• Lightning
• Mosaics
• Buttons
• Light and sound elements.

  
  Accessories for a busy board

Preparatory stage

First of all, you need to determine what size the structure will be. To do this, take into account the size of the dolls themselves that the child plays with: the toy must fit completely into the house in height (with some margin). In addition, sufficient space must be provided for the arrangement of toy furniture: kitchen, bedroom, etc. The number of floors in the structure is determined by the height of the child, as well as the size of the toys. If the height of the figures is no more than 20 cm, then the house can be made three-story. For a standard Barbie doll, two floors will be enough. When the general sketches have been made, you can move on to the details, for which you make a drawing to a certain scale on a sheet of paper.

Drawing

To make a plywood doll house, you need a drawing on which the exact dimensions of all elements will be marked. After determining the approximate dimensions, they think about the shape and style of the house. It is worth considering that when using a finished drawing and changing the dimensions of individual parts, other dimensions will also need to be adjusted.

When preparing a drawing yourself, it includes the following parameters:

1. The back part of the structure should be made in the form of a five- or rectangle. The first option is considered more preferable, since this shape will make it possible to make a roof that will have beveled edges.
2. The size of the base should be slightly wider than the internal space. This makes the assembly process easier.
3. Interfloor ceilings should have the same dimensions, slightly smaller than the bases.
4. The data of partitions, side and roof elements are taken into account.

DIY bodyboard for girls

A girl's board can be decorated with pink ribbons, multi-colored laces, textile pockets with attached clothing accessories : buttons, snaps, zipper or Velcro. By adding decorations from artificial flowers and butterflies, you can easily make your princess’s favorite toy. At the very top of the board you can write the girl’s name, this will make the board unique, belonging to her.

DIY busy board for girls

Frame assembly methods

Platform framing technology
The first step in building a frame house on a site is the choice of frame assembly method. There are 2 main ways:

1. Frame-panel, or platform “platform”. The wall frame is assembled directly on the floor of each floor, starting installation from the floor itself. This is the easiest way to make a house frame with your own hands.
2. Frame or balloon “balloon”. Using this method, the vertical pillars of the house are erected from the floor to the roof, even if it is a two-story house. This method is expensive.

Next, the stages of building a frame house with your own hands will be outlined in order. By following this algorithm, a person will be able to build a house as quickly as possible, inexpensively and without much labor.

Balloon framing technology

How are business boards useful?

High-quality and properly made bodyboards can develop a child almost from infancy. They develop fine motor skills , which are necessary for proper brain function. In addition, they help improve:

• concentration;
• memory;
• perseverance and patience;
• logical thinking;
• imagination. For this purpose, boards with images of heroes and fairy-tale characters are specially created. The child independently comes up with a story and embodies it on his board;
• understanding what certain actions lead to. For example, the child opened the zipper and found in his pocket the key to the lock that opens the door, etc.;
• safe introduction to household items.

Some boards are designed to prepare a child for school, teach him to count and read.

Do-it-yourself busy board for a child 3+

For older children, more complex design options are used.

• Strings with large beads for learning to count. So that he doesn’t just mindlessly finger the beads, but also learns to count;
• Velcro letters. To be able to study the alphabet and compose new words;
• Pictures of animals and birds on Velcro or magnets. He will definitely enjoy meeting new friends through the use of an educational board;
• Install an LED strip (multi-colored) around the perimeter of the board to remember the colors.

Do-it-yourself busy board house for a child

A more complex design of the most common developmental bodyboard. The peculiarity is that development elements can be installed on all four walls of the house, and even on the roof. Your baby will definitely appreciate such a gift.

• By installing a doorbell or bell, you can create the semblance of a real house, only doll size;
• Having made a door , you can put dolls and toys inside (so that toys are not scattered throughout the house, teach your child to put them to sleep in his “house”)
• Such a variety of toys will concentrate the baby’s attention and allow him to play for a long time;
• If there are 2 or more children in a family, this design will help avoid swearing and sharing the fun . Everyone will find something to do on one side of the “house”.

Internal partitions of a frame house

A person who has already learned how to build wooden frame houses using external walls as an example will not experience any difficulties with interior partitions. The principle of their installation is absolutely the same.

First of all, insulation in interior partitions plays the role of a sound-proofing material. Therefore, they choose not what is warmer, but what transmits sound worse. The thickness is also oriented towards sound insulation - if this element is not important, then the partitions can be made thin.

The partitions of a house on a wooden frame do not require hydro- and vapor barrier layers.

Life cards for making yourself

• You can use everything you have at home;
• Make it soft: cover it with a blanket or cotton wool. This will help reduce the risk of injury;
• Paints are exclusively water-based and do not carry yourself toxic substances. Or better yet, hypoallergenic;

• Involve the child in the manufacturing process, thereby making him feel like a little builder;
• Create any shape: rectangle, circle, oval. A unique copy that only you have;
• Possibility of replacing structures (complicate the elements as the baby grows) so that the child does not lose interest in the toy.

  
  DIY educational boards

  Having made one board, you can easily make for your child any educational toy that will be most interesting to the child.

Pouring the blind area

In any DIY frame construction technology there is a place for a blind area. This is the most important element that protects the foundation from ground moisture, thereby extending the durability of the building. And when we build a house with our own hands on a plot, we first of all want to build it “to last forever.” Therefore, you should not neglect high-quality blind area.

They do it like this:

1. Dig a small (up to 30 cm) recess around the foundation. The bottom of the recess should be at a slight (up to 10º) slope. The width of the recess must be at least 60 cm, and also protrude no less than 20 cm beyond the roof overhang.
2. Formwork is placed around the recess. Any board for the blind area will do - the formwork still needs to be removed later.
3. The foundation around the perimeter is lubricated with several layers of mastic. This will serve as additional moisture protection.
4. Pour a layer of crushed stone (up to 10 cm) into the recess and compact it. Sometimes a waterproofing material is placed on top of the crushed stone.
5. Add another 5 cm of coarse sand and compact it again.
6. Fill with concrete or asphalt, maintaining a slight slope.
7. Finish to your taste.

Make a busy board with your own hands or buy it in a store?

This survey will help you weigh the pros and cons and make a choice: make it at home yourself or buy a ready-made one. In the +/- column you can note important points for yourself.

And remember, handmade work will bring a lot of pleasure not only to you, but also to the child who can watch the construction process.

Deciding on the foundation for a frame house

To build a budget frame house with your own hands that will last for many generations, you need to accurately determine the type of foundation . Perhaps even call professional builders for this work - it is the most difficult for an amateur.

Pile-screw foundation

Pile. It is worth making a frame house on screw piles with your own hands if the soil on the site is unstable, unsteady, and excessively wet. Screw piles go deep into the earth to reach stable, immovable soils. Piles can be in the form of metal rods or poured (reinforcement is inserted into a hole in the ground and concrete is poured over it).

Strip foundation

Tape. The easiest way to make such a foundation is to do it yourself. A small (from 10 to 40 cm) depression is dug in the ground over the entire construction area, and concrete mortar is poured inside. To increase strength, metal reinforcement is placed in the recess. The strip foundation rises 20-30 cm above the ground level.

Pile-grill foundation

Pile-grillage foundation. This type of foundation seems to combine both of the previous ones. You can also make it yourself by studying TISE technology.

USHP foundation

Another option is to build a frame with your own hands on USHP (insulated Swedish plate). But this foundation is more complex and financially costly. Although it is believed that in the future it will help save on heating costs.

How to choose a busy board

Educational toys should be chosen based primarily on the age and interests of the baby. Some parents buy “boy” boards for boys and girls’ boards for girls. But all children are different. So, for girls they usually buy boards with sewing supplies, and for boys - with sockets, locks, light bulbs, etc.

Parents do not think about the fact that their sons need the ability to tie their shoelaces and zip up their own zippers, while their daughters will use sockets and switches quite often in everyday life. In addition, every person, even a small one, has a predisposition in certain sciences.

Next, you should take into account all the preferences and age of the child. It will be difficult for a child to cope with opening the lock with a key, and an older child will not be interested in rolling the ball around a circle.