STEAM Camp: How to Make a CD Case Travel Geoboard

At preschool the other day, the teachers got out the most awesome geoboard.  It’s clear.  I’ve always loved clear things like glass and acrylic and am kind of obsessed with the board, so I set out to make my daughter her very own. One that’s sized for the road and made from something I have a closet full of.  CD jewel cases.  Spend a few minutes with a hot glue gun and you’ll have a great math and fine motor learning toy ready for your kiddos.

Make this travel geoboard out of an old CD case for fun STEM learning on the road.

Clear Travel Geoboard Supplies Needed

Travel Geoboard Supplies LBCB

Make the Travel Geoboard

  1. Print out the Travel Geoboard Printable and cut around the outer black line.

Geoboard Template LBCB

  1. Insert the printable where the CD insert would go.  Then using a permanent marker, make a dot on the plastic CD cover at each of the dots on the template.  Remove the template.

Dot template LBCB

  1. Heat up the glue gun for 10 minutes.  I used a dual temp glue gun at the high setting, but you could try a low temp glue gun and see if it works.  Open CD case and gently press tip of glue gun into one of the dots on the cover.  Slowly push the tip through the plastic as it starts to melt.  Go slow or the plastic can crack.  Once you push all the way through, take the tip out and push it through the other side.  You want a clean hole that is just the size of the screw posts.  Repeat for all of the holes.

Melt Holes in Geoboard LBCB

  1. Insert the male end of the screw post into the back side of the hole.  Just like with the glue gun, press gently.  If it doesn’t go in easily, grab the glue gun and make the hole a tough bigger.  Then screw on the female side of the post.  Repeat with the other posts.

Screw Posts GEoboard LBCB

  1. Play!  Learn!  Simply get out the rubber bands and let the kids at it.  Or travel!  You can store the rubber bands inside the CD case.

Clear Travel Geoboard Left Brain Craft Brain

You can print out some extra templates and have the kids take their colors to them.  (My 7th grade social studies teacher always used to tell us to bring our colors when it was map coloring day and the phrase just kind of stuck.) Then they can match the design on their board.  Be sure to limit their color option to the actual colors of rubber bands you have.  I had her grab her own and it made for a very frustrating geoboard session.

Travel Geoboard with Color Template LBCB

Travel Learning Fun

This has become our go-to travel item.  Car rides, the doctor’s office, restaurants.  It’s entertained my daughter everywhere with some secret fine motor and math learning.

Car Geoboard LBCB

Looking for more road trip ideas for the summer?  We love our Portable Tinkering Kit for Preschoolers, Rainbow Prism Busy Bag (something clear again ;) ) and last week’s Summer STEAM Camp’s See project, a Magnetic Field Sensory Bottle.

Portable STEM Learning collage LBCB

Summer Learning Made Fun

Summer STEAM Camp

Summer doesn’t have to mean that learning takes a vacation.  So I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite bloggers who all love STEAM. Because learning with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math gives kids the power to do almost anything they can dream up. And these projects show that you don’t have to give up summer fun for a little bit of learning.  This week’s topic is all about things you can FEEL.

Easy and Colorful Magnetic Sculptures || Pink Stripey Socks

Encourage Your Inventor with Creative Pool Noodle STEAM Fun || One Time Through

String and Bead Puzzle || What Do We Do All Day

4 Engineering Challenges for Kids with Craft Sticks, Cups and Cubes || Frugal Fun For Boys

Slug Slime Races || Lemon Lime Adventures

Gelatin Streaking || Babble Dabble Do

Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math Fun for Kids

Looking for some more STEAM inspiration that use can use right now? Instant gratification style? Check out STEAM Kids: 50+ Hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math Hands-On Projects for Kids ebook! It’s packed full of a year’s worth fun learning activities that will wow the boredom right out of your kids. STEAM Kids hands on science, technology, engineering, art, and math projects for kids
Subscribe for Email Updates

Join the Left Brain Craft Brain mailing list for creative STEM + Art ideas for kids, right in your inbox.

30 thoughts on “STEAM Camp: How to Make a CD Case Travel Geoboard”

    1. leftbraincraftbrain

      The fasteners were a fun find at my local plastics store. If you have a TAP Plastics near you, go! It’s one of my favorite places for project inspiration.

    1. leftbraincraftbrain

      Thanks Ana! This was our first geoboard at home and my daughter is way into it too.

  1. Pingback: Encourage Your Inventor with Creative Pool Noodle STEAM Fun - One Time Through

  2. This is such a neat idea Anne. And perfect for the car. I never would have thought of using the glue gun to make holes either – neat! A project to make this summer for sure!

    1. leftbraincraftbrain

      Thanks Sue! Someone had recommended heating a nail with a torch to melt the plastic like this and I thought, there has to be a better way!

  3. Pingback: STEAM Camp: How What You See Changes What You Smell - Left Brain Craft Brain

    1. leftbraincraftbrain

      Thanks Thaleia!! You must be having too much fun this summer, that’s how you missed it :)

  4. Pingback: STEAM Camp: How to Make a Modern Art Steady Hand Game - Left Brain Craft Brain

  5. Pingback: Sensing STEAM: 30+ Awesome Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Activities for Kids - Left Brain Craft Brain

  6. Pingback: Sensing STEAM: 30+ Awesome Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Activities for Kids

  7. Pingback: Driving for Education: Box Tops Balloon Car Derby - Left Brain Craft Brain

  8. Pingback: Upcycled Toy Car Marker Bots - Left Brain Craft Brain

  9. Pingback: On-the-go Quiet Time Activities - How Wee Learn

  10. Love this idea for a road trip! Looking for clear screw fasteners more local – $10.95 shipping to me! Thanks so much for the great idea!

    1. leftbraincraftbrain

      Hi Jen! I picked mine up at Tap Plastics really cheap (www.taplastics.com). If you’re not on the West Coast, look for local plastic suppliers.

  11. Pingback: 6 idee prese in rete per... giochi da viaggio fai da te |

  12. Pingback: Travel activities | Bricks 4 Kidz | Bricks4Kidz - Kids Franchise - Best Franchise - New Franchises

  13. Pingback: Using LEGO Bricks and other tools for on-the-go fun | Bricks 4 Kidz Minnesota - Minneapolis - West Metro

  14. Pingback: Using LEGO Bricks and other tools for on-the-go fun | Bricks 4 Kidz - Washington - Kent - Renton

  15. Pingback: Using LEGO Bricks and other tools for on-the-go fun | Bricks 4 Kidz Tennessee - Knoxville - Knox County

  16. Pingback: Geoplano portátil #lidmcds – Sra de Díaz

  17. Pingback: Geoplano portátil #lidmcds ~ sraddiaz.com

  18. Pingback: Awesome DIY Geoboards for Fine Motor Fun | From ABCs to ACTs

  19. Pingback: Easy and Fun Shape Activities for Preschoolers

  20. Pingback: The Learn + Live Letter Level 2: Five Senses Unit

Comments are closed.

Scroll to Top