fall fun - felt board fall tree

I have made my first attempt at homemade felt board fun!

I made the felt board probably the most simple (and potentially not very long lasting) way possible. I took white felt stretched it over a piece of white foam board and then hot glued it down in the back. I didn't want to spend a lot of time or money on a felt board until I knew for sure that the kids (and I) would enjoy this type of activity.

Once the board was made I started getting creative with some other felt colors for the girls.

I cut out a big brown tree, grass, some flowers and lots of leaves.

Avery played with these uninterupted and uncoached for almost 45 minutes! I was blown away. So I knew I had to make some more and come up with some other ideas for Sam.

I put together this activity for Sam. (Thanks Aunt Jojo for the suggestions!)

I cut out green, red, yellow and orange leaves to go with the big brown tree trunk. Then I drew four different trees on the notecards. Each tree with different colors of leaves and numbers of leaves. Sam's job was to try and match the felt tree to each of the tree pictures.

As indepently as Avery played with the felt board, Sam needed coaching and assistance. I think this had more to do with the fact that she was tired and cranky than her actual comfort or interest in the activity. But I sat with her and we created the trees, pretended it was a windy day and talked about where the trees go in the Fall.  She wanted more pieces and more options to make pictures (not sure I will be able to make the squirrel and owl she requested!).

I am super excited about all the felt creations that are for sure in our future!

Have a felt creation tutorial you would care to share? What is your child's favorite felt board activity? I am new to this and would love any suggestions that you have!!

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The Nitty Gritty!

I didn't get pictures of the girls playing together but I actually have two boards made with matching sets for each girl. I didn't make the notecards for Avery, she is still a bit young for that, but she has all the other pieces now to play with.

I think to go along with this tree set I will also make pieces to create the other seasons; small flowers to go on the tree for spring along with small green leaf buds, then for winter I will make some winter snowflakes and snowmen for her to put in the picture.

Already this set has lead to work on counting, colors, matching and nature related discussions. Loving me some felt play!!

Comments

[Child Central Station]

We made a giant board and all of the pieces for Go Away Big Green Monster! We've made some other sets too, but I haven't blogged about them:
http://www.childcentralstation.com/2010/10/finally-flannel-board.html

[Abbie]

Thanks! I have seen a lot of people with big felt board hung on walls for the kids to play with at will whenever they want. I love that idea. Have to check out that monster idea! Thanks for sharing.

[Stgeorgeinfo]

Thanks for sharing this fabulous idea at Today at Play Link Up. Please link again sometime as it lasts all year! Sam has a lot of patience and visual accuity to sit and match the tree pictures. My daughter always loved the under the sea feltboard with mermaids, coral, treasure, seaweed, starfish and that sort of thing but I guess that is just another version of mermaid!

[Abbie]

I would love to link up again! I am sure we will have more play ideas to share. Sam is not a big fan of the ocean but I am trying to put together other felt board sets for her, just finding the time to put it all together is so hard!