We won't be starting up our homeschooling again for a few more days as we are still in the process of moving and settling into a temporary spot until we are able to find a new home to purchase. In the meantime, this is something I wanted to post weeks ago for people who might be traveling over the holidays - but, due to illnesses in the family and Christmas craziness, it just didn't happen.
SOOOO, for those planning a family trip soon (with toddlers in tow), here is something I came up with for one of our own car trips: Velcro Story Blocks! The idea for these came after seeing some velcro blocks. I liked the concept but thought they would be much cuter if they were colored. Then I thought they might be even more fun if some of the sides had pictures so they could be used to make up stories as well. We had an empty laptop box that looked like the perfect fit for said blocks, and I decided to jazz it up with some color and a little scene of its own to enhance the story making capabilities of the blocks! :)
Voila! A new car toy! :) And the beauty of it is that the velcro helps to keep the pieces together instead of having them all over the car, so your little construction worker can build towers IN THE CAR without them toppling at every little bump.
BTW: I am participating in a blog contest for the top 25 creative mom blogs and would LOVE it if you would cast a vote for me! :) The button is on the sidebar and you don't have to be a member or sign up or anything to vote - just click the button which takes you to the site and cast your vote. You can vote once a day so if you feel extra generous and want to cast a vote on another day - I would LOOOOVVVVEEEE it if you would! Thanks so much!
If you would like to make your own, these are pretty easy to make.
IMPORTANT: Examine your blocks each time to make sure the velcro is not detaching from frequent use. Do not give these to your children if you suspect they will try to put them in their mouths or try to eat the velcro.
Materials: Velcro (I used colored as well as black), large wood blocks, paint (non-toxic), glue (super glue or hot glue).
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BLOCKS:
1. Paint your blocks (solid or with pictures on two sides). Allow blocks to dry.
2. Measure the amount of velcro you will need to wrap around each block once. Cut two pieces of velcro (you will want one with hooks and one without so that the velcro sides of each will be able to stick to all the other blocks. If you only used one side of the velcro such as the hooks side, it could only attach to a block with the other side of velcro such as the loop side. However, by using one strip of each per block, they can all stick together).
3. Glue both pieces of velcro around each block.
4. Find a container in which to store your blocks, then PLAY!!!!! :)
Linking up to:
www.houseofhepworths.com
www.momontimeout.com
www.handsonaswegrow.com
www.bearrabbitbear.com
www.tatertotsandjello.com
www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com
www.whipperberry.com
http://www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com
www.makingtheworldcuter.com
www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com
www.diyhshp.blogspot.com
www.letkidscreate.blogspot.com
www.polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com
www.gingersnapcrafts.com
www.cleanandscentsible.blogspot.com
What a cute idea! You could do all kinds of things with these - I'm going to have to make some!
ReplyDeleteThese are cute! My nephew would love them. Thanks for linking to Things I've Done Thursday!
ReplyDeleteMelanie
www.bearrabbitbear.com
Awesome! I pinned this. I need to make these for my boys!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Did you buy colored Velcro (if so from where?) or did you color it yourself? Thanks for sharing your great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sweet comments! :)
ReplyDeleteJenny Lynn - I bought colored Velcro and I believe I bought it at Hobby Lobby. :)
What a lovely idea - my daughter would love to play with these.
ReplyDeleteThat is a phenomenal idea!!! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo awesome! My little boy would love these :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewow- what an inspired idea. I absolutely love it.
ReplyDeleteO my goodness this is AMAZING!! I was missing seeing your posts linked up & this is exactly why - you always BLOW ME AWAY!! So creative! We have a mega roadtrip & other smaller ones this year & I am TOTALLY making this. THANKS!!! Thanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a great weekend,
ReplyDeleteBeth =-)
Beautiful - a lovely idea to keep little hands and minds busy on a long or short drive.
ReplyDeleteYOU ARE A GENIUS! I'm sharing this on Facebook! Love Love Love! Okay, I'm pinning too in case I ever get the time :) Thanks so much for sharing at Taking A Timeout Thursday! Hope to see you again this week :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.MomOnTimeout.com
Can I just say that the fine people of Pinterest are going crazy over this idea? I've had over 40 people re-pin this in less than 40 minutes. Such a great idea :)
ReplyDeleteForget my kids--*I* want to play with this!! :o)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm going to make a whole city! Fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteI featured this amazingly creative idea at TGIF Linky Party #12 - Thanks so much for sharing your creativity with all of us. Come on by and link up this week, can't wait to see what you post!!
ReplyDeleteBeth =-)
Oh my so dang cute. I love the idea in so many ways. Thanks for sharing at monday madness.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so creative! I am a new follower. Please come and check out Cachey Mama's Classroom and feel free to link up some ideas at my Thinky Linky Thursday party!
ReplyDeleteLori @ Cachey Mama’s Classroom
This would be wonderful for car trips! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful.. and so creative. I may just have to get started on one for the classroom. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! Thanks for the comment and link back. This is a great idea for roadtrips. Hope the printable helps out!
ReplyDeletewhat size were the blocks? I am having a hard time figuring out the whole size of the kit.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn,
DeleteThe blocks were 1 1/2 inches. I believe the box was about 13.75 by 9.75 inches. Hope that helps! :) Have fun creating!
hi Lynn
ReplyDeletehow old do you think this is for
i am doing an assnignment for school and we have to make toys for 5 year olds
do u think this is suitable? or do u have any oter suggestions
greatly appreciated
I don't know that these would hold up to an entire classroom of 5 year olds. I used hot glue but perhaps the velcro would hold much more strongly if super glue were used? You'd just have to make sure you didn't have any 5 years olds that liked to put stuff in their mouths because I would be concerned about the possible toxic nature of the super glue if ingested even in a small amount.
DeleteWhat about sock puppets or story blocks without the velcro?
Good post! Thanks for sharing this information I appreciate it. God bless!
ReplyDeletevelcro one wrap
Love this idea! Hoping to make some.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you find the blocks? Were they finished or unfinished? What did you use to paint them?
Jenn G.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Jenn,
DeleteI believe I purchased the blocks at a craft store (Michaels or Hobby Lobby?). They were unfinished, and if I remember correctly, I used non-toxic craft paint. Hope that helps! :)
Michelle
Love your blog. This is so creative. Gonna teating this travle toy DIY out.
ReplyDeleteExcellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking. homeschooling
ReplyDelete