How to Make Your Own Felt or Flannel Board

Storyboards may encourage children's creativity.

Before whiteboards, computer displays and magic markers in the classroom, there were felt storyboards. These are still a staple in many Sunday school programs and preschools. Students can use felt animals, people, nature items and shapes on the board to tell stories, practice math skills or learn sequencing skills. The bright colors, endless options and simplicity mean even preschoolers can successfully use a felt board. Make your own felt or flannel board for use at home, day care or school.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• 28-by-40-inch piece of flannel or felt
• 2-by-3-foot piece of thin plywood or particle board
• Stapler and staples
• Low easel
• Colored craft felt pieces
• Velcro fasteners
• Craft embellishments as desired
• Large Ziploc bags or manila envelopes
• Black marker

Instructions

1. Cut a large piece of solid-colored soft flannel or felt in a light color, such as white, cream or light blue. The fabric should be cut two inches larger on each side than the plywood or particle board. Lay the felt out flat on a table or work surface.

2. Lay the board flat on the fabric. Fold the two inches of excess fabric onto the back of the board. Pull it taut and staple firmly to the board. Staple the fabric in place every 2 inches around the entire perimeter of the board.

3. Turn the felt-covered board over with the felt side facing out and set it on a low easel for use.

4. Purchase or make felt cutouts for use in your lessons or stories. Shapes may include people, animals, numbers, geometric shapes or familiar storybook characters. Put one side of a small Velcro fastener on the back of each felt piece.

5. Decorate your felt characters and shapes as desired with googly eyes, yarn hair, sequins or other felt scraps. Place them on the felt board using the Velcro. Store the pieces in bags or envelopes when not in use; use the marker to label the envelopes to identify the felt pieces inside -- shapes, numbers, Goldilocks and Halloween characters, for example.

Tips & Warnings

• You can add a frame or border to the front of the felt board, if desired. Cut 1-inch wide strips of a contrasting color of felt or construction paper and staple or glue the strips to the outer edges of the felt-covered side of the board.

References

• Education.com; Make a Ladybug Storyboard; Alicia Danyali
• Bright Hub; Preschool Activities; Make a Flannel Board for Storytime for Preschoolers
• Story Resources; Early Childhood Teaching Resources; Instructions on How to Make Your Own Felt Board