I really wanted to make a felt board for Sweet Pea because of how much she enjoys using it at our library. I decided I wanted to do something super simple like a large piece of felt that I would Velcro to the wall. But no, I had to look online and see how “simple” it could be to make a nicer one on my own. Knowing I was in over my head (since I am not handy whatsoever)! I was nervous but excited to see what I could come up with. I headed to my local thrift store and found a fabulous frame that looked absolutely unloved and need of me. $15 later it was on its way to fabulousness. Here’s my simple how to make your own felt board and it really was simple!!
How to Make Your Own Felt Board
Supplies:
Hot glue
Scissors
36”X36” Piece of Felt, any color (Michael’s)
30ish”X31ish” Frame
So why the –ish on the frame? Simple, the frame I purchased (like I mentioned above) came from a thrift shop so I can’t direct you to a specific store to find the exact frame. But because the large felt piece from Michael’s is 36”x36” you will need a frame that will be smaller in order to stretch properly within the frame.
- The frame I used did not come with glass. If the frame you purchase does remove and discard.
- Iron 36”x36” felt so that it is wrinkle-free. WARNING: You must place a thin cloth between iron and felt. The felt will melt onto your iron and will take you hours to clean!! I learned from experience…
- Lay wrinkle-free felt on the floor or large flat surface and take out the frames backing. Lay backing on top of felt. I did not center the backing rather I placed it along the bottom and left corner so I would only need to trim the right and top. Instead of cutting all four sides. Make sure to leave about an inch around all sides and cut off all excess felt.
- Using your hot glue gun, lay glue along the bottom of the backing. About ½ inch from the bottom. Leaving enough room for the glue to spread when felt lies on top. Fold felt over so it sticks to the backing.
- When completed with the bottom pick a side to do next. Cut the felt along the side to create an angle. (See picture) Discard cut piece then hot glue the angle and that entire side of the felt to the backing. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to complete top and remaining side. Remember to pull felt tight so that there is no folding of the material.
- Put frame back together without glass.
- Tada! That’s it so, so easy!! Using various felt colors create your own creatures, letters and items to play with on your board.
Tips:
- The leaves I used are from Michael’s. It was supposed to be a garland and I just tore it apart. Michael’s carries several different felt pieces already assembled for the not so crafty.
- There are many a felt templates out there! Seek the internet and you shall find!!!
- Having chalk handy to draw directly onto the felt is very handy and will wipe clean. I just used Sweet Pea’s sidewalk chalk. Nothing special…
- If you have items you want to trace and cut perfectly use freezer paper. Trace desired items onto freezer paper. Next, lay freezer paper on top of felt with the shiny side down. Iron paper onto felt. Then cut along your traced lines. It will cut your felt perfectly. So easy- but again make sure your iron does NOT touch the felt!
- If you do get felt on your iron wait until it is cooled and then use white vinegar to remove.
Below is a list of things you will need for creating your own shapes, letters and creatures.
Supplies for creating “things” for felt board
Various colors of felt
Freezer paper
Scissors
Marker, pen or chalk
I remember playing with one of these when I was in school and it was so fun. What a great idea to make your own!! Thanks for sharing!
What a cute idea! I love the way it turned out! I made one out of a trifold board. The kind that kids use for science fair projects.
Very cute and festive. I love the bottom photos with the tree and owls, and love the fall colors.
That’s such a great idea. I received a smaller version for my son when he was little.
What a neat idea! Don’t you love how you decide to do something and then Google it? It usually leads to something much more extravagant. Thankfully this does look easy to make!
What a fun idea! That would be great for a classroom too.
I need to make one of these!
I can’t believe I bought one instead of making it! I did make tons and tons of things for the kids to stick on it though. I had figures for songs and games and activities galore! (Still have them!)
These are so great! My kiddos would have such a fun time with this. Must try myself!
Oh my gosh, I love this idea! Hayden would love playing with something like this and I think my girls would too.
I LOVE it! I’m going to make one for Christmas, this is awesome!
Looks like she’s having a great time with it. What a creative idea.
This is such a great idea!
Thank you for the tip about ironing felt…I’m pretty sur you just saved me either hours of cleaning time or the cost of a new iron!
How fun!! We are going to do this with a Christmas Tree/Countdown this year!! 🙂
What a great idea. I love that you included photos with your daughter because it helps to get a perspective on the size of the board. Thanks!
How CUTE! I just love that tree! What a wonderful idea! 🙂
such an amazing way to inspire creativity! great for early literacy skills too!
Oh this looks so great! I’ve been looking for things to make for my girls and this just may be it! This would be such a great skill builder for them.
This is a great idea! I like the neutral background because you can use different felt pieces for the various holidays and other fun things that the kids like.
What a fun idea! And so easy, too! Thanks!
My niece was looking for a felt board for her daughter, I’ll send her this so she can make it herself!
What a cute and great tutorial. I bet she had tons of fun playing with it and it will be fun to do different felts for different holidays.
That’s awesome! My toddler son would have a ball decorating and creating pictures with felt pieces. Thanks!
This is super cute! I can remember doing felt boards when I was little and had so much fun.
What a super cute and festive idea and I’m pretty sure my kids would have a blast making this.
My nephew is almost at the age were this would be a great learning tool for him. Luckily, my sister is more crafty than I am, so I’m sure she could pull it off.
That is really, really cute! 🙂
I love this idea! I need to make one. They are so expensive to buy premade.
Wow…sometimes I feel like I’m not crazy enough.
I should make one of these for my daughter to play around with.
That’s such a cute idea for fall decorations.
Very cool. I’m going to make one of these for my girls. They’d love it!
That is SUCH a fun idea! I need to make one of these.
Yay for thrift store frames! Love your turkey board.
Oh man this is so fun – M would have a blast 🙂
This is so cute, I am going to make one of these for the pre-k class I teach in our weekly co-op.
These are such cute boards! Thank you for the tutorial!
such a cute fun projects I love it.