### This is a collaborative posts ###
With a tin of blackboard paint ordered off eBay and some ply offcuts left over from a few jobs, I decided to make some blackboards for the children to play with outside.
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| Playing with the blackboards |
I've been planning on doing this for some time but the other day I had a brainwave about doing a blackboard in the shape of a little girl. So on a sunny afternoon I set about making them.
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| Helping me draw the outline |
Dead simple to make, just draw an outline on some 3/4" ply and cut it out with the jig saw.
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| Cutting the shape |
I then sanded off any rough edges and gave both sides two coats of blackboard paint.
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| Applying the paint |
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| She seems to love it! |
I made three blackboards, one large square one and the little girl one for my girls to play with and a small square one to have as a "to do" list in the garden (to be filled with jobs that will never get done!).
For an £8 tin of paint and some ply off cuts it's a cheap way to keep the children entertained and make sure they're enjoying our outside space even more.
Anyone else have any other ideas of cheap things to build children to play with outside?
If you are looking to spend some cash proscootersmart.com has some cool items that get kids outside and having fun.
If you are looking to spend some cash proscootersmart.com has some cool items that get kids outside and having fun.
I love the child shaped one, that would make a lovely gift, you will have to do a boy shaped one as well and set up a little stall.
ReplyDeleteI thought maybe one shaped like a car would be a good idea as well! Not sure they'd be worth much to sell though!
DeleteThe child shaped blackboard is so clever! Good idea for a to-do list too, I need one of those!
ReplyDeleteThe to do list might just end up depressing me...
DeleteGreat idea, Kev. Making a den or a cardboard box gives kids hours of fun.
ReplyDeleteWhen we built our house we fixed a roof slate to the internal kitchen wall and we use it to remind us to pay bills or things to do or even a shopping list.
Cardboards are always "recycled" in this house now! We've got some great pop up dens from car boot sales that the kids love.
DeleteHow about making a boat shape out of offcuts of wood, just two sides connected by a couple of benches and they will have hours of fun sailing away in their imaginations.
ReplyDeleteI love the blackboards, especially that girl shaped one. They will be able to draw dresses etc on her, what a brilliant idea :-)
I think a play house has got to be next as Ev loves playing make believe. She loves trying to draw a face on the girl and flowers on her dress.
DeleteWhat a creative idea, and such fun. Would have loved to have had a play myself!
ReplyDeleteIt gives them something nice to do on the patio and great when they've got friends over.
DeleteA sand pit is a favourite.
ReplyDelete