Trapezoids, squares, and right triangles, oh my! We love finding interesting ways to learn shapes and colors. Our DIY geoboard is durable, educational, and sets-up in a snap. This project has been a long-time coming for me, probably two years. I wanted to wait until C was three and had a basic understanding of shapes. He’s fanatical about shapes and colors, so I knew he’d gravitate to it! Boy, ow-boy was I right – he loves it! As a child, my favorite toy was a geoboard, so I think I’m just as excited. Do you ever find yourself playing with your kids toys?
What is a geoboard?
A geoboard is a manipulative tool used to explore basic concepts in geometry such as shapes, angles, measurement, area, and perimeter. Plus, they’re just plain old fun! Developing early mathematical skills will help children with problem solving, critical thinking, and learning spacial awareness. Geoboards challenge fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
To create our simple DIY geoboard, you’ll need the following materials:
- Pegboard
- (2) Flat Screws, 1/4 in – 20 x 1 in, 50 pack
- Nuts, 1/4 in – 20, 100 pack
- Fabric Loops
We purchased our pegboard, screws, and nuts from Home Depot. The peg board comes in 2′ x 4′ white panels ( 23-3/4 x 47-3/4). Home Depot will cut it for free too! We cut in-half to equal 2 – 2′ x 2′ panels. Save the other half for another fun project such as reorganizing your craft supplies, garage tools, or kids art supplies.
Remember fabric loops? I recall weaving them into bracelets as a kid. They’re durable, soft and for us, safer without the SNAP! As he progresses, rubber bands will be a great option too. We purchased our fabric loops at Michaels, sorted them by color, and stored them in Ball half-pint, wide-mouth jars.
To begin, insert the screw from the bottom of the pegboard through the holes and screw the nut on top of the board (white side). Skip a row and repeat until finished. We used 100 screws total, leaving 3-4 holes on top and bottom empty. Be sure to securely fasten them and re-tighten frequently. That’s it! Sort your loops and create.
Before I could even finish adding the bolts, C began creating shapes. He yelled, “Mommy, I made a blue Triangle!” He continued, “It’s a red Trapezoid.”
After letting him explore, I reverted his attention back to setting up the rest of the board. I was pleasantly surprised at his excitement to assemble the blots and nuts. “Twist, twist, twist Mommy” he replied! Love the fine motor boost.
Once the board was complete, he immediately began creating shapes at different angles. He really likes rectangles.
While watching him explore shapes and angles, I noticed he created two overlapping trapezoids and unintentionally made a square. When he realized it, he was filled with excitement! It was amazing to see his reaction and all from a few bolts, nuts, and fabric loops. He continued creating shapes at different angles and within each other.
For older children or your younger math-wiz, About.com Mathematics has challenging geoboard activities:
- Show an equilateral triangle.
- Show an isosceles triangle.
- Show a scalene triangle.
- Show a square with 5 square units.
- Show a square with 10 square units.
Geoboards hold a special place in my heart from my childhood, so we’re all equally excited to play with it. I would spend hours playing with mine a kid. Do you have any special childhood toys that you’ve introduced to your children?
He took all the fabric loops out of the mason jars, then back in, identifying each color. After he finished playing, we hung it on the wall and closed up the jars. He can easily open the jars and play at anytime. It’s removable too, so he can play either on the floor or wall.
Always supervise your children during play, especially with possible loose parts and metal objects. This activity is not age-appropraite for all children. Please use your own discretion.
There’s so many ways creative ways to make and use a geoboard! Here’s a few awesome ideas:
- Fun-A-Day’s Geo Pumpkin
- And Next Comes L’s Mini-Geoboard
More fun ways to use numbers:
Here’s a few of our favorite fine motor and learning activities:
Looking of more fun, creative, easy kids crafts & activities on Pinterest?
CONNECT WITH US >> Facebook :: Twitter :: Bloglovin’ :: Goggle+
Hello, I’m heading of to the hardware store to buy materials for this tomorrow. I just wondered if you put anything (like little feet) under the pegboard so that the nut heads don’t scrape if the kids use it on a wooden floor?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Bel. That’s a great idea! For us, we hung it on the wall and used it on carpet, so no feet. But, that’s smart! Do share your project on our Facebook page if you like! Have fun. 🙂 I’m here today if you have have any other questions.
LikeLike
I made this today with my children and they love it. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fun! That’s wonderful to hear Alex! Thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
My little ones would have so much fun helping assemble this geoboard, and I love the use of the fabric loops! Thanks so much for linking up to Discover & Explore. I’m featuring this post today.
LikeLike
Thank you Shaunna! 🙂 That’s great! Thanks for hosting each week too.
LikeLike
Totally making this for my son at home. We are using our geoboards at school this week and have rubber bands breaking left and right. I’m going to get some of those fabric loops for school. So smart!
LikeLike
Thank you Ms. Jessi! My son loves the loops! There not as stretchy, but no snap – yay! 😉
LikeLike
Oh this is awesome
LikeLike
thank you! 🙂
LikeLike
I homeschool my 4 kiddos, and some lucky kid is getting this for Christmas this year! I’m so excited that this doe not include the hurtful rubber bands. Now my toddler can play! Thank you so much!
LikeLike
HI Cassie! Thank you so much! That’s so exciting. I am so happy you enjoyed the post! Happy holidays!
LikeLike
Love it! You have some great ideas on your page 😛 I’ll be back for sure! P.S. did you know that the word “popular” is misspelled on the sidebar 😛
LikeLike
Hi Jennifer. THANK YOU! I guess that’s what I get for editing my widgets at 2am, lol! Seriously, I appreciate the note. Thanks again for reading!
LikeLike
This is how I made ours too, and I also used fabric loops! They work great and are so colorful. http://www.thingstoshareandremember.com/geoboard-fun/
LikeLike
Hi Stacy. Great minds think alike! 😉 We really enjoy them too. I loved them as a kid and they’re a great alternative to rubber bands.
LikeLike
Absolutely love this, Heather! Why have I not made a geoboard yet?!!
LikeLike
Thank you Ann! I think I play with it just as much! I loved it as a kid too 😉
LikeLike
I love using these in my classroom and have thought about using one at home with my littlies, now we can make and use one thanks to your tutorial 🙂
LikeLike
Oh! and I am featuring your post on this weeks Kids Co-Op over on Triple T Mum!
LikeLike
That’s great Amie. Thank you for the feature! That’s so cool that you have these in your classroom too. I think if my son had one in his class, he’s never come home, lol! Thanks again! =)
LikeLike
Such a creative/crafty activity great for maths and fine motor skills. I know what I will be making in the near future. Thank you for linking up to Tuesday Tots and just to let you know that I will be featuring this over on Rainy Day Mum this week.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for the feature and your comments. I pinned and shared your post!:)
LikeLike
Awesome idea! Great way to work on a lot of skills at once (fine motor, visual perceptual, cognitive) in a fun way that captures kids’ attention! Thanks for the idea! 🙂
LikeLike
thank you so much! My pleasure! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! =)
LikeLike
love this geoboard! brilliant idea, I would love it if you could share it on my link party Serenity Saturday
Natasha @ Serenity You
LikeLike
Thank you Natasha! Just linked up, thank you for the invite. I added your button to my linky party page too. =)
LikeLike
Fantastic idea! And great photos 🙂 x
LikeLike
thank you Charlotte! =)
LikeLike
I love the fabric loops idea so much better than using elastics! I’m always afraid rubber bands are going to “accidently” fly across the room and hit somebody (like…me! lol)
LikeLike
What a cool idea. I’ve just pinned it so I can remember to make one for my 3 yr old. I think my 10 yr old son would love it too though. Thanks for the inspiration!
LikeLike
Hi Crista. Thank you! I’m sure he’d love it too. There’s some great activities linked on there for your older math wiz! 😉
LikeLike
Doing this! Making, pinning, all that good stuff. I’m so excited.
LikeLike
Thank you Jeanette! I’m so happy you like it! They’re super fun! Thanks for pinning too. Have a great weekend! =)
LikeLike
Wow! This is fantastic! And it came at a perfect time too, because I have been meaning to make a geoboard for my son (who is obsessed with geoboards, but doesn’t have one of his own yet). This idea is brilliant and I can’t wait to make one of our own! I have seen a couple DIY geoboards on the web, but this is by far my favourite!
LikeLike
Thank you Kristan. You’re so kind! They’re so much fun! I think I like to play with it just as much, lol. My husband even got involved. I’m so happy you’re going to make one! Let me know how it goes and if it’s a hit! =)
LikeLike
Oh another fantastic idea – and great for fine motor skills. Off to pin 🙂
LikeLike
thanks! I really appreciate all you support, shares, and comments Pinkoddy! You rock! 🙂
LikeLike
Very cool. I love the size of your geoboard. And I like that you used fabric loops instead of rubber bands.
Thanks for linking to my geoboard too!
LikeLike
Thank you Dyan! He loves the loops! My pleasure! Thank you for creating amazing work!
LikeLike