How to Make a Felt or Flannel Board

How to Make a Felt or Flannel Board

Belinda @ Kids Matter

Before we get to how to make a felt or flannel board, we need to determine what one is. Felt boards are used as visual aids in teaching. Often, these boards are hand crafted to coincide with the planned lesson. For instance, if the lesson plan includes the song, “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on a Bed” then the felt board would show an image of a bed and five monkeys. The old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” holds true. There are three types of learners: tactile learners, who learn by touch and feel, auditory learners, who learn by sound, and visual learners, who learn by sight. Adding a visual aid to your lesson can aid all three types of learners. The auditory learner will be interested in what you are saying. The visual learner will be drawn in by actually seeing the images in the lesson. To entice the tactile learner, use different fabrics, shapes, and sizes to pull them into the lesson by allowing them to touch the board.

Now that we know the purpose of a felt board, how do we make one?

Supplies: Felt, flannel, or other fabric, tacky glue, tape, scissors, googley eyes, paint, paperclips, popsicle sticks, paint cup, ribbon, paint pens, embroidery floss or yarn & needles, Velcro (if you want them moveable), cotton batting, and a piece of cardboard, old picture frame, or old chalkboard for your base. The amount of materials is dependent upon how detailed you want to make your board.

Instructions:  Stretch the material over your base and glue. Determine, from your lesson, the objects to go on the board.  Search the internet for patterns of those objects. Coloring sheets make great patterns. Use the patterns to cut out the objects from your selected material. Remember to use different colors and textures on your objects. Glue or Velcro the objects to your board. Be cognizant of the age group you are teaching. Tiny hands quickly find their way to the mouth.

Felt boards are super simple to make and provide loads of fun and entertainment for your audience. They can be as simple or as creative as you would like. Below are a few examples to get you started. Have fun with your lesson plan!

Childhood 101

Keeping Life Creative

Etsy

Storytime Katie

Teach Preschool