Flannel Board Fun

For those that have asked about the flannel board, here it is! There are lots of tutorials online if you want to make your own. I took an old canvas and stretched some flannel over the top. Chad used a staple gun to attach it to the frame in the back! Make sure to pull it tight so there are no wrinkles before stapling! It is as simple as that folks! If you don't have a canvas you can cover cardboard, or an old memo board (the cork board kind)! You can also use foam board, but it's easiest to have something thick enough for a staple gun!

For my flannel board I used:
An old stretched canvas about 22" x 28"
1 yard flannel ( I used light blue)
A staple gun

For the felt pieces:
Cheap craft felt found at any craft store, even Walmart (usually 20-25 cents a piece)
Fabri-Tac glue
Fabric marker
Scissors

Some of the things we have added to our flannel board:

I cut out pieces for a face and let Brianna put it together. I'm planning on making lots more options for the face, and a girl face too! I also want to make some little flannel dolls that she can change the clothes on. Basically, you just need some cheap craft felt and cut the desired shapes. I also made a few shapes for a house. I plan on adding more to that as well!
My favorite thing I've done with the flannel board so far is I made shapes for "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" story. I can't tell you how many times we did that story together today! She loves it and loves being able to help put the pieces up. I don't have all the pieces pictured and I only put the ones on that we're talking about! Here's a little peak! When making pieces like these, I use Fabri-Tac glue! It holds the flannel really well and isn't very expensive. You can find it at any craft store! Also, use a fabric marker (not a sharpie as it will bleed) when adding details.

Other stories I want to add:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!
There are more ideas here: http://www.fastq.com/~jbpratt/education/mypages/flannelstories.html#Tips%20for%20Making%20Flannel%20Board%20Pieces%20and%20Flannel%20Boards

I cut out the alphabet and made enough extra letters so we can spell her name! She is really close to being able to say which letter comes next all by herself! It has helped a ton with letter recognition! I used the template from Martha Stewart's website for her ABC pillow (which was going to be the original project). You can find the template here: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/abc-pillow?autonomy_kw=ABC%20pillow&rsc=header_1
I cut out the letters, pinned them to the flannel and then cut the flannel letters out! I like that these letters are really big, but you can do anything you want obviously!
The flannel board has also been great for Family Home Evening lessons. One night I cut out some body parts like a belly, arms, legs, head, etc. and we talked about how we have a body like Heavenly Father. She helped me name and put the pieces on. You can also make scripture stories, etc. The options are endless! And the best part, is this is a cheap project that your kid can grow with!
If you don't have flannel, you can also use paper images (cover them with contact paper or laminate them for durability) and add a piece of rough sand paper or velcro to the back. I have also heard of people printing images from their computer onto some t shirt iron on paper and then ironing it onto white flannel. I haven't tried that yet, but will be soon! To make sturdier pieces you can iron them to fusible interfacing found at fabric stores!
Enjoy and if you make one, share a picture with me!!! Let me know if you have any questions!