Felt Weather Board

A felt weather board is a great way for a toddler/preschooler to learn the days of the week and the weather! I ended up having a few pieces of felt, some thread, and ribbon left over from other projects so I thought, why not? Weather board time!

IMG_0772

The first thing I did was fold a piece of felt in half, horizontally. I decided to make 2 pockets to hold the weather icons. Sew the two sides together, going through both layers of felt, then do the same in the middle.

Next, decide on a background color. Lay the felt pockets on the bottom overlapping the background color. I overlapped 2 inches then hand sewed the sides 2 inches down (only on the inner layer which you can’t see) and along the top.IMG_0773              IMG_0774

IMG_0775

Next, I used a sharpie and wrote  “Today is” at the top. I didn’t intend to do the days of the week as my girl is only 2, so she won’t really grasp that, but I had more felt and space! This weather chart can grow with her. Not only will I add more weather icons such as hail, sleet, moon phases, but I will also add the days of the week as she gets older. For now I will store them to the side to focus on weather!

Time for the fun part, making the weather symbols! There are countless ways to create them, I decided on these.IMG_0777

I also added a partly sunny symbol which you will see in later pictures. I did all of these by hand, sometimes outlining the pattern I wanted on the felt first, then cutting them out. I used the glue gun to add some different colors such as the white on the snowflake, the mittens, wind, lightning and rain.

IMG_0779

I bought some velcro from Michaels. You can use the scratchy side on the back of the weather symbols. This scratchy side will stick to the felt that is the background, you don’t need the soft side of the velcro at all.

I also added a partly sunny symbol you can see at the top of the picture. I did not use the hot glue for the velcro, it just happens to be in the picture. The velcro has a sticky side that will adhere to the felt.

IMG_0780

I had extra felt so I made days of the week!

My daughter won’t really grasp the days of the week but we can practice anyway. I can also store them until she’s ready. I might have to do that! She loves the felt weather board so much she puts them all up and takes them all down. Her favorite symbols are the sun and partly sunny. She had to take them to my sister’s house. Luckily I convinced her to leave them in the car so we didn’t lose them and I returned them to her board!

 

IMG_0782

 

I ended up adding ribbon by making a stitch at the top. To make it extra sturdy I decided to hot glue the bottom of the ribbon to the felt too! You can use string, small ribbon, or anything you choose for this! I hung it above her work table using the clear command hooks that will easily come off of the wall if I want to remove them.

 

 

You can make the weather board a daily routine! Do it in the morning, or change it throughout the day based on the weather. Enjoy!!! IMG_0783

 

FollowFacebookpinterestrssyoutube
ShareFacebookpinterest

DIY chalkboard wall

I’ve always seen those neat diy paint chalkboards in playroom pictures posted to Pinterest and thought, “they make it look so easy.”

Well I’m here to tell you it is easy! Beware though, it does take time (like days) until it can be used.

Since we just moved into a new house, we decided to make a playroom that we didn’t mind getting dirty! We have all our paint supplies and crafts in this room.

So what do you need?

1) chalkboard wall paint (this comes in many colors, we went with the original as not to confused our children and having them chalk up other walls). We used rustoleum black chalkboard paint.

2) blue painting tape to outline your area and protect the other walls and areas you may accidentally get paint on.

3) a level and measuring tape (to make sure everything is straight.

4) paint rollers or paint brush (3 inch)

Steps:

1) first make sure your area you are painting is ready. If there is already paint or primer on the area then you are almost ready. Just clean off the wall with a wet paper towel and let dry. If it’s not painted already you may need to sand the area as needed and prime.

2) use the blue painting tape around windows outlets and outlining the area. Place an old sheet or painting cloth on the ground.

3) get the paint ready according to instructions listed on the can.

4) paint around the edges of windows outlets and edge of inside of tape using a paint brush.

5) use your paint roller to paint the rest.

6) it will dry to touch within a half an hour but it’s not ready yet!!

7) wait overnight and if needed do a second coat (we did a second one!)

8) now you need to wait 3-4 days (I know, I know this is hard with kids!).

9) after you let it cure for a couple days, it’s time to season the wall. Use white chalk and fill up the board with it, using the side of the chalk. Then wipe it off with a wet paper towel.

10) ready to use! Decorate as you like

FollowFacebookpinterestrssyoutube
ShareFacebookpinterest