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.
Clear Travel Geoboard Supplies Needed
- 1 clear CD jewel case {affiliate}
- 16 3/8″ clear plastic screw post fasteners (i.e. Chicago screws)
- Printer paper for the Travel Geoboard Printable
- Permanent marker
- Mini glue gun {affiliate}
- Rainbow loom bands {affiliate}
Make the Travel Geoboard
- Print out the Travel Geoboard Printable and cut around the outer black line.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 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.
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.
Summer Learning Made Fun
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.
Leslie says
June 12, 2015 at 2:29 PMSuch a cool, cool idea! I’ve never heard of those fasteners before. Neat!
leftbraincraftbrain says
June 15, 2015 at 8:54 PMThe 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.
Katie Pinch says
June 12, 2015 at 6:50 PMSuper cool!!!
leftbraincraftbrain says
June 15, 2015 at 8:53 PMThanks Katie!
Ana says
June 13, 2015 at 6:27 AMI totally dig this!!!!! I’m obsessed with geoboards and this idea is fantastic!
leftbraincraftbrain says
June 15, 2015 at 8:52 PMThanks Ana! This was our first geoboard at home and my daughter is way into it too.
Sue Lively says
June 14, 2015 at 6:56 AMThis 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!
leftbraincraftbrain says
June 15, 2015 at 9:08 PMThanks 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!
Thaleia from Something2Offer says
July 9, 2015 at 12:35 PMThis is awesome! How did I miss this STEAM Camp series!!!???
leftbraincraftbrain says
July 10, 2015 at 7:28 AMThanks Thaleia!! You must be having too much fun this summer, that’s how you missed it :)
JenF says
May 24, 2016 at 1:12 PMLove 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!
leftbraincraftbrain says
May 24, 2016 at 5:38 PMHi 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.