Now that I am a full fledged Nana, I get to make cool things for the cutest kid on earth. Our latest effort is this control panel, because we all know who's REALLY in control, right?
This was a family project, concocted to celebrate our first grandchild's first birthday.
Our resident teenager donated most of the junque from his odds and ends collection and my husband assisted with the screw guns, glues and all around mechanical expertise. His uncle donated a big old cutting board and I was the mastermind, designer and baby-safety tester.
We had a similar board when we were kids, with colored buttons and toggles that I spent hours playing with.
It makes noise and lights up and has lots of different things going on. The magnifying bubble pops out so they can put pictures of anything in and the TP tube holder is a short length of PVC with jingle bells inside. I put up it on some little slider feet so he can play with it on the floor and push it around if he wants.
I love toys like this because they encourage imaginative play. It can be the rocket ship engine room, the control panel on a sub or a time machine.
He's just one, so for now, it's a busy board, for a very busy little boy.
Happy Birthday, Kiddo!
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33 comments:
This is simply awesome! I bet your grand child will love playing with this!!
That is so awesome! How creative you are! I am so following your blog.
I love this! My little man will be one soon and I'm thinking about making one. Can you tell me what the light is?
Hi Emilee - The light is a battery powered button dome light from the dollar store. (Might also check Harbor Freight) We made a hole in the board with a hole saw - the kind for doorknobs - and recessed it and then I adhered an old red rubber canning jar ring around the light. The light is very hard to get out this way, so there is no access for little guys, but you can still change the battery if needed.
Hi - what are the three silver things to the left of the light? Thanks!
Hi Laura,
The silver things are ball bearings recessed in metal casings.
Totally clueless as to their real function...but I bet the guys at Ace Hardware know!
Oh my word! I LOVE this!! You should sell these on ESTY! I would buy one; my son is turning one in May :) What a wonderful Nana and a lucky little grandson! Such a special gift!! Thank you so much for sharing.
Just a question, in case I attempt to make one of these, what is the red rectangular piece to the left of the bell and the three circular pieces to the right?
What are their functions! Thanks again :)
Typo...the site is ETSY.com :)
The red rectangular piece is a metal party noise maker glued on upside down. When the yellow plastic handle is twisted it makes a big echoing tin noise.
The three round elements are 1" bicycle reflectors that have been screwed down through a hole in the middle. They are topped with white screw head covers that have been pmelted on to the screws for safety.
I LOVE THIS!!! wonderful idea and great selection of objects ont he board - this is a must make!
We just shared this on our CoquitlamMommy.ca Facebook page and our readers loved it! Fantastic idea for toddlers and kids. Thanks for sharing!!!
Do you mind giving any more detail regarding the toilet paper roll assembly? I would like to know how it is put together, with the bells kept secure and how you striped it.
Check out our pre-made BusyBoards! https://www.etsy.com/listing/108628936/deluxe-toddler-busy-board
Check out our pre-made BusyBoards! https://www.etsy.com/listing/108628936/deluxe-toddler-busy-board
Hi Lucas -
Your busy board looks fun!
I didn't see your earlier post with question about toilet paper tube assemble. It is just a tp holder from the hardware store with a piece of cut and sanded pvc pipe that I striped with red tape.
Good luck on your Etsy shop. :-)
How did you get the lightswitch on? I bought one and I can't figure out how to disassemble is to make it lie flat...
Hi Melanie, The light switch does nothing but toggle back and forth. The light is a push light. You press on the wholelastic lens to make the light turn on. It pulls out and has a battery encased in it's back. I got the light a the dollar store. Hope this helps. GM
I was wondering about the light switch as well. I know it doesn't make a light come on. But how did you get the light switch to lie flat on the board? I don't know how to take the switch apart so it doesn't have the attachment for wires. You know what I mean? Thanks!
I am also curios about the light switch like Melodyrose. Also what is the bottom left silver circular thing and the gold circular thing above it? I just love this- thank you so much for sharing!
CURIOUS I mean. :) Sorry.
This is fantastic! And I agree, you should sell them on Etsy! Thank you so much for being willing to share the details of how you made things safe and the details for each thing....bless you!
Where did you get the wheel with handle? What is the size of your board?
Can't wait to make one for my baby girl!
This is fantastic! So professional looking!
Where did you get the wheel with handle? What is the size of your board?
Can't wait to make one for my baby girl!
hi there. love this board....where did you find the wheel with knob? did you put the jingle bells inside the TP holder's middle that goes inside the PVC tube?
hi there. love this board....where did you find the wheel with knob? did you put the jingle bells inside the TP holder's middle that goes inside the PVC tube?
Ready made Busy Boards in time for the holidays!
Ready made Busy Boards in time for the holidays!
I love your board, the PVC pipe (TB roll) is great...I am off to find these goodies that I don't already have!!!
Hello, I was wondering what the metal wheel with the knob is called, or where you might of gotten it?
Hello, I was wondering what the metal wheel with the knob is called, or where you might of gotten it?
The wheel is from an old table saw. You might try Harbor Freight or Lee Valley or a marine supply shop for something similar. A friend of mine used a big red metal sprinkler knob instead. Hope this helps! Have fun.
Thank you so, so much! You gave me so much inspiration with this design, I'm still running on it ten years later!
It actually bloomed into a whole thing - hope you will like my busy boards, too. Check them here :) https://oyboystuff.com/
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