Have your kids ever used a Geoboard to make geometrical shapes and other interesting creations? I saw so many ideas on the internet that can be done with Geoboards. Through this mathematical manipulative, kids learn hands-on about perimeter, area, polygons. Some kids also create letters and constellations using Geoboards. So to expose my kids to these concepts, I made a DIY Geoboard. This became a fun, play based learning tool, which they currently use to create different shapes and images. We have yet to explore the mathematical concepts they can learn through this DIY Geoboard.
DIY Geoboard
What you need to make a DIY Geoboard:
- Cork board
- Push pins
- Rubber bands
- Ruler (optional)
How to make a DIY Geoboard:
This is probably one of the easiest math manipulatives you will ever make. All you need to do is insert push pins all throughout the cork board. You can ensure that the push pins are evenly spaced by using a ruler. In my DIY Geobard, I put the push pins 4cm. apart from each other.
Ready, Set, Play:
First, I simply let the kids have fun with this DIY Geoboard. I allowed them to create their own shapes, patterns and designs.
Then I encouraged my 4-year-old to create a triangle, then a square. Having mastered these 2 shapes, she then proceeded to create a house. We both figured out how we could create a flower.
We also thought of making a sun, but that didn’t turn out quite as we expected. So we continued on and simply built a pattern out of that design.
To help guide your kids with their first experience with a DIY Geoboard, I created a free DIY Geoboard printable <<< Click on this link to get the Free Printable.
The printable contains images of a square, a triangle, a trapezoid, a diamond, a right triangle, a house and a flower. This is simply to help your child get started in creating. Then encourage her to create her own patterns and designs afterwards.
Did you like this DIY Geoboard with Free Printable created by Kidz Activities? If you did, follow Kidz Activities on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram to get more play based learning ideas!
Here are more fun ways to play with Geoboards….
Perimeter and Area Geoboard Exploration from Life Over C’s
Stick It Anywhere Geoboard from Adventures of Adam
Learning Shapes with a Geoboard from Something 2 Offer
This looks so pretty! Geoboards are always fun