Amazing busy board toys. Maybe you had one when you were young or you discover them, one thing is sure: your children will love them! They are a perfect alternative to toys that you buy very expensive in the trade and that in addition to making a lot of noises, end up at the bottom of a trunk … With the busy boards, you are sure that they keep your kids busy for hours.
You can even make them yourself, using a plank of wood, everyday objects which you no longer use, some screws, a drill or glue gun and voila. If you do not have a handy hand, many busy boards are available on the Internet (also known as "sensory board" or "toddler busy board" in English) or in toy stores. Do not be surprised, the prices are sometimes very high, due to the multitude of elements and accessories on the table.
What do we put on a busy board?
It is simply a wooden board on which are hung various everyday objects and elements. Among them: lock, calculator, remote control, slate, zipper, belt, switch, doorbell, socket, computer keyboard, padlock, bell, phone … You can put almost everything on a busy board, making sure that than the child cannot be injured. For the little one, this is an opportunity to manipulate objects that are forbidden in everyday life such as a socket or locks. It is important to explain it well that he is not allowed to use them anywhere other than on his activity board.
What are the benefits of busy board?
Beyond occupying children, these paintings are full of sensory activities and Montessori which helps the child in his awakening, in the development of his fine motor skills and in learning everyday gestures. Using twine, the little one can learn to tie his shoes, for example, or with a closure, he can close his coat on his own. The objective being to place on the busy board different activities which can help him in his daily life and encourage him in his sensory discoveries. The little extra: you can add musical elements like xylophone keys or a horn, which will help the child discover the sounds.
For you parents, busy boards will only bring you advantages. No more tens of euros wasted on toys that are used only once and no more toys scattered all over the house. In addition, you will know where your child is (captivated for an hour by the lock that does not want to close).
How much does a busy board cost?
Since this is a toy that you can make entirely yourself, a busy board is an almost free activity. All the accessories used are salvage items or to buy yourself (such as door handles, latches or switches) but in all cases, the final price will necessarily be lower than when buying various toys .
There are busy boards in the trade and the prices are between 20 and 300 euros, depending on the number of activities on the board. The brand Etsy a lot of them, but you can also find them at Mysweetkids.
Please note: depending on your child's age, the level of difficulty and the number of activities on the busy board should be adapted.
How to make a busy board yourself?
Even if it sounds a bit complicated at first glance, building a busy board will actually require only a good command of a drill and a glue gun. To do this, you will need:
From a wooden board
A drill
With a wood screw
From a sander
Paint to paint the wooden board (optional)
With a glue gun (to fix the elements which cannot be screwed)
Several household accessories which, once fixed will be of interest to the child
According to your wishes, you can create sensory paths for your child as part of Montessori activities. Touch, turn, screw, sort, stack, hang… the possibilities of games are endless! With the busy board, a child (or baby) can develop their senses while having fun.