Toddler Magnet Board

Let me just preface this post with this: If this makes it on Pinterest, it is not because of my photography skills. My iPhone helped me document this project. So you people with your Canons and Nikons, you can redo this and put cute photos on the web.

So when Pinterest first came out, there was a photo I saw NONSTOP. It was a cute little toddler in a diaper, standing next to a huge magnet board. The magnet board was actually just a drip pan. I pinned it because I knew I wanted one for Jansen.

Months went by and and finally decided he was ready for one. Really, he was probably ready for one a long time ago but we didn't have a playroom.

I sent Stephen to Walmart to get a gigantic drip pan from their automotive department. When I saw it, I realized that there were huge words embossed on it. That's dumb. I only like huge words when they are fun words, not “DRIP PAN.” So I decided to cover it.

I got a cheap sheet from Walmart in a fun color. I found this one that came in a bag. I thought it was a perfect choice since I could then attach a ribbon to the top of a bag and use it to hold the magnets.

Here is what you do. Iron your sheet. Or don't, whatever. I had to iron my sheet because there were some serious folds in it. One it was nice and crisp, lay it down on the floor and put the drip pan on top.

Don't trim the sheet until you glue the first two sides down and pull it tight. As your gluing, continue to pull the sheet tight. Peek underneath every once in a while to be sure you've got a smooth surface. You

don't want any wrinkles in it!

It's best if you do it a few inches at a time so your glue doesn't dry in the process. I went through several glue sticks!

The corners are kind of a pain, just be sure to keep pulling it tight and USE A LOT OF GLUE.

It was a pretty quick project and I'm so glad I did it. I got Jansen some alphabet magnets so he can practice his letters. (He currently only knows B, O, X, and sometimes Y. Every other letter is a B.) I also made him some magnets. I took family photos and use some laminating sheet to cover them. Then I glued some magnets to the back.

It's an awful picture, I know. I took it at night and the iPhone can't handle that! But I think you understand. It's very large! I like it because it's light too. I didn't mount it to the wall but I'm not worried about what would happen if it were to tip over on him. I'm sure he could carry it if he really wanted to.

The photo magnets have been a ton of fun. He loves pointing out his family members. We'll hang them all up on the board and I'll ask, “Where is Nana?” and he'll search the whole board until he finds her and pulls her magnet down.

Super fun, super easy. If you have a little munchkin, I recommend it!