Happy New Year y’all! Who’s making resolutions? We’re mulling ours over today (you know Sherry loves a list…). But let’s get to the subject at hand. Being last minute “elves” for Santa. See, Clara’s play fridge wasn’t the only homemade gift that she opened this year. Because the weekend before Christmas we decided to make her a little latch board of her very own. And now we’ve finally gotten our act together to share the tutorial with you. So oh snap (pun intended), here it is.
We first learned about latch boards when Clara’s cousin Elsa got one a year ago – she’s a year older – and we heard how much she loved it (they basically tap into kids’ innate need to turn, twist and flip just about anything that’s shiny). So it’s pretty much been a waiting game until we jumped aboard the S. S. Latch and hooked Clara up (we wanted to wait until we thought she could master it without getting frustrated and wanting to throw it through a window).
Now that she’s adept at other stacking/twisting games, we decided the time was right to DIY one so we hit up our favorite local place when it comes to handware and hinges. They’re basically a warehouse full of hundreds of old skeleton keys, latches, knobs, and other random things. In other words: the adult version of a candy store for people like us.
We came home with quite an assortment of things and eagerly spread them out to see how everything might fit together. Well, eagerly as soon as Clara was napping.
Eventually we landed on this arrangement. We didn’t use everything we bought (we returned some of it) since some of it started to feel redundant. Plus, we wanted to keep it at a manageable size. Basically you’re seeing some hinges, a bunch of window latches, some door bolts, and a couple of decorative carabiners attached to simple drawer pulls.
The wood piece shown above was just a scrap piece of plywood that we were using to temporarily figure out our desired board size. The actual board itself needed to be thicker (to screw the latches into, so the screws wouldn’t come out the bottom and scratch the floor), so I found some spare 1×4″ and 1×3″ boards in the basement that I could jig together with my Kreg. Nothing like using whatcha got. We also liked that it would look sort of weathered and authentic that way, like the top of our console table, thanks to using the same method. But of course you could get a single board cut down to your desired size at Home Depot to avoid needing a jig at all for this project. I was just using what I had.
I waited to cut them to the same length until everything was all jigged together so I’d be sure to get an even edge. Then I just flicked on my table saw and made one quick cut down a line I made once we determined the desired size.
Here’s the final 12″ x 12″ square piece of board that I whipped together. Oh yeah, and I sanded down the edges and corners to make them a bit rounder / safer for small hands.
To spice it up a bit, we decided to give it a little stain and paint treatment. Definitely not necessary, but kid-projects like these are our favorites, so we like to have fun with them. I taped off the edges with painter’s tape and then used some leftover Dark Mahogany stain to give some color to the top (I also beat up the top a bit beforehand to make it look a little weathered).
Once my stain dried, I peeled off the tape and primed the edges very carefully. Once the primer was dry, I repeated that step with a coat of paint just to give the edge a little slice of color. We used Benjamin Moore’s Citron, which is one of the colors leftover from book projects last January (it’s also the same color we used on the back of our giant chalkboard). I think Sherry and I both liked the combo of nearly-neon grellow + stained wood on that project so much that we subconsciously wanted to repeat it – this time so the grellow was actually visible instead of hidden on the back.
You can see from this pic that after I edged with a brush I rolled over with a small foam roller just to make sure my paint was evenly spread. It’s pretty easy with a roller to not mess up your edge on a piece like this.
Once the paint was dry Sherry slapped on a quick coat of Acrylacq polyurethane to give it some added durability (it’s low-VOC and non-toxic so we love using it on the kid stuff that we make). After the topcoat of sealer had set overnight, it was finally time to attach the latches. Mind you, it was 40 hours before Christmas morning at this point. Oh, and don’t mind the missing hinges. We decided to ditch two small ones and get one bigger one, which we hadn’t picked up yet (time crunch = my middle name).
Thank goodness Lowe’s was open the next day (Christmas Eve), which meant we were able to attach the last piece just in time to get it wrapped for “Santa to deliver it” the next morning.
All-in-all, it cost us about $35. So, unfortunately, it was more than some of the store bought versions. Most of the expense came from the two decorative carabiners (the red star and the pink amoeba looking thing were $9 total) and the locking window latch in the top left (it was $4). Had we ditched those or found less expensive versions we could’ve come closer to this version’s price tag. But the carabiners actually seem to be Clara’s favorite part, so I’m glad we “splurged” on them.
Update: As for if it’s too heavy for Clara, if there have been any pinched fingers, or if we’re teaching her how to bust locks, thankfully she has dragged it around for a week and doesn’t seem to have any issues (it’s about the same weight as her wooden Melissa & Doug puzzles) and there haven’t been any pinched fingers (we tried to picked things with smooth edges). The board is also full of external latches/hinges (nothing like the internal medicine cabinet locks or door locks that we use to keep Clara safe). We’ve actually heard from a few teachers who have these in their classrooms and say kids love them and they help with fine motor skills :)
And if you want to see for yourself, here’s a short clip of Clara opening her latch board on Christmas morning.
I think we got the reaction we wanted. What parent wouldn’t like an “Oh wow, man”?
Is anyone else out there making latch boards? Or just tooling around in an old hardware store like a kid in a candy store?
John says
Great idea, she may become a contractor or a burglar someday.lol Toolbox next?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes!
-John
Emily says
Very well crafted John! Our little one has a Melissa and Doug one they got as a present.
I “elved” some Stick (hobby) Horses for our guys, out of some old wool socks a friend had knit me years ago. The hardest part was actually finding the sticks (my husband scored some at work). They are a hit!
YoungHouseLove says
Those sound awesome!
xo
s
Emily Marion says
The preschool teacher in me is geeking out. This is so great for Clara’s fine motor skills! Love it. I also find myself wondering the aisles at Lowes. I think PVC pipes cut different lengths would be a fun addition to blocks. And different sized nuts & bolts for twisting (obviously not small enough to swallow) would be such a great classroom gifts.
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds like so much fun!
xo
s
Wendy says
PVC pipes with elbows make great “whisper phones.”
I use them for my Spanish students. When you speak into them, you hear your voice, but not others. Students can speak/read aloud into them to hear their pronunciation. They also work very well for students who are naturally talkative. Such that they can “talk” into them without disturbing others.
Here’s a link.. http://theteacherscauldron.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-whisper-phones.html
I made mine (36) from 1 piece of PVC pipe and elbows. Upon explaining to the sales person at a big box store that I didn’t have a saw, he graciously cut it for me. My students love them!
Though they do have rules: no popping sounds, no using them like a periscope, and no making them into antenna. :-) Must love middle schoolers!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s awesome!
xo
s
emilymarion says
Just spotted this easy, affordable homemade geoboard on Pinterest.
http://www.mamajennblogs.com/2009/08/make-your-own-geoboard.html
renee says
best gift (and parents) ever!
Amy Cannon says
Love it! I have a very busy little 20month old that would love this. Might have to pick up a latch or two each time I go to the store… 2nd birthday is in 4 months! Maybe I could get it done in time. Might could even go through my junk drawer and find a few I already have. :) Great job!
Melissa Mitchell says
Pink Ameoba looking thing? When I read that I knew it was John writing- that’s obviously a flower, John! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahahahah! It’s true.
xo
s
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
Will you adopt me :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sure! Come on over.
xo
s
lauren | rebuild (health & home) says
So, so clever. I agree with one of the other commentors who mentioned a DIY toy book… something to think about!
I’m bookmarking this one (as well as the fridge), because I’d love to make things like this when I have children. (Just got engaged, so one step closer!) As a teacher, I love seeing clever toys that promote problem solving and fine motor skills. And as a future parent, I love seeing toys that aren’t plastic and branded with the Nick or Disney flavor of the month!
YoungHouseLove says
You guys are so sweet! One of our dreams is to someday have some sort of kids line where we could make these available for everyone. How much fun would it be to design things like this for kiddos everywhere? Seriously, that’s our idea of a good time!
xo
s
lauren | rebuild (health & home) says
Oh! Also wanted to mention that the second I saw John’s post title, my mind went straight to breast-feeding. Sherry, thought you’d enjoy that one.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahhhhahahaha! Hilarious.
xo
s
Bella says
i didn’t make a latch board but i diy-ed a catmaspresent for my “baby” :) a scratching tree haha because my “baby” is an 11 year old cat :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha! That’s so cute.
xo
s
Jessica Engel says
I love this idea! We’ve been trying to come up with new playroom ideas and this would be perfect- maybe mounted to the wall?
YoungHouseLove says
Fun!
xo
s
Laura Stiller says
My husband made a latch/activity board for our son about a year ago and it’s been a big hit with both of our boys! We made a larger one and actually mounted it on the wall, but I’m loving the idea of a small/portable latch board (sounds like it might be a great thing for a road trip.)
http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/09/activity-board.html
YoungHouseLove says
Love it!!
xo
s
Nicki says
Great minds think a like, I guess :). I have never heard of a latch board, but my niece and nephew wanted name plaques and since he is into everything espionage, I made his with secret and false doors where I hid invisible ink messages and post paper and writing utensil for missions. Here is a link if you are interested in how they turned out.
http://perfectprospect.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/crafty-thursday-diy-christmas-childrens-name-plaques/
YoungHouseLove says
Such a cute idea!
xo
s
Nicki says
Yours is awesome especially the carabiners! My nephew even asked for some for christmas and I didn’t think to put them on the plaque somehow! Gah! I am definitely going to keep this idea in mind for future kiddos in the family!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that’s so sweet! Send pics!
xo
s
Kitty says
This is great! I would love to do this for my soon-to-arrive nieces in a couple of years time :-) I hope Clara gets many hours of enjoyment from it.
I have finally been able to order your book (had to wait for some Amazon vouchers to spend haha!) Can’t wait for it to arrive.
Sarah says
I love it! I also love how the pink piece has become like an ink blot test…its an amoeba, then its a pink star…and i see a flower! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Me too! John’s such a guy.
xo
s
Allison says
Amazing gift—yours is so much better than the Melissa and Doug version. Thank you for all of the gift posts–we ended up getting our 15 month old a Kid O Go car that he adores after seeing your post. Happy New Year!
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews says
What a great idea! Nothing better than a homemade present.
jenny says
very fun! I have seen these on Pinterest and had thought about giving it a shot for my little boy’s birthday coming up soon. Now, I am very inspired! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck Jenny! It’s so much fun to pick out all the latches and hinges!
xo
s
Adeline says
Another great gift! I love how the presents you make for Clara are always well thought out and sturdy.
Happy New Year!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Adeline! We have so much fun with them.
xo
s
Lizzie says
We actually just made a latch board for my brother to use in therapy after a Spinal Cord Injury. These are great and ours is really helping my brother with his fine motor skills!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s awesome! Love it so much. All the best to him and your family!
xo
s
Steven T says
Hey guys…just getting closer and closer to having my own place soon, and I’m a determined DIYer…I read your blog now every day (after stumbling on to it) and am excited to meet you next week at your signing at Books & Books. Do hope you love your little trip down to our tropical lattitudes!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! We can’t wait!!
xo
s
Jo says
When I read “pink amoeba looking thing”, I had to scroll up to see who wrote this blog entry. Yup, John. Because like every other woman,I saw a red star and a pink FLOWER. Just thought it was funny to realize the male perspective. I love the toy!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahhaahahh! So true!
xo
s
Karen says
I love it! My husband and I made our son an activity board for his first birthday in October! He doesn’t know how to open and close everything but he has a good time making tons of noise while trying to figure it all out. We installed it on the wall and painted a giant robot on it complete with door stopper antennae and a 3.5-inch floppy belly:)
Feel free to have a look – I posted about it here.
http://thegnarwhal.com/2012/11/04/robot-activity-board-nothing-to-do-with-the-gnarwhal/
Happy New Year!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!! Love it.
xo
s
Jennifer harrup says
That video is adorable!! I love that Clara isn’t quite sure what it is but shes still really excited! Lots of cool playin stuff on there!
Erin says
So dang cute! Her expression was priceless.
Koliti says
Happy New Year!
Love the video of Clara and her inquisitive mind along with her instructive mama! What an awesome activity board – discovering how the latches interact and work.
(I can’t wait to see the video of Clara and her refrigerator – did I miss it?)
YoungHouseLove says
Nope, that’s coming up this week too! Maybe Friday when we post about what we got each other (John did good this year!)
xo
s
Vanessa B. says
You guys are amazing. If this whole blog thing doesn’t work out for you, you could go into handmade kids toys. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh how we would love that. Maybe someday…
xo
s
Brynn says
Such a cool idea! Maybe I will get one of these for my little one next year!
And that amoeba thing, is more likely a flower. It is so hard to find amoeba shaped things! Hehe!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah!
xo
s
Wendy says
I thought the same thing.
The word amoeba reminds me of my hub’s sweet father who misread “Ameda” on the hospital board and asked, “what’s an amoeba breast pump?”
Michele says
Cute idea! Back in the 60’s I loved my Dressy Bessy doll that had buttons, zippers, shoe laces, hair ties, etc. .. I guess these generations of kids are a little more sophisticated than that :) Another board idea might be an electronic gadget board lol. Programming phones, dialing 911, writing Apps for the iPhone, cracking security systems, you know .. all the need to know stuff!
Megan says
The latch board is awesome. My husband and I actually made a busy board for our son as well. We put things like a light switch on it a spring door stopper a set of old keys and dead bolt and a few latches and other odd and ends. We were also playing last minute elves. I believe it was around 1am Christmas eve before we finally wrapped everything up. My husband was working on the busy board as I was finishing up making a teepee. I swear I want to not be so last minute next year. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that sounds awesome!
xo
s
Sherry in BC says
Love it! I have the Melissa & Doug version you linked to for my grandchildren & they love it. So good for manual dexterity. I love the slice of colour in yours & I am sure the carabiners would be hit with my grandkids. I might have to get a few for them. I made one of these
http://pages.areaguides.com/ubuild/ElectricWizzBang.htm
It is a bit noisy but they love flipping the switches.
Hippy New Year from an aging Hippy in Vancouver.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cool! What an awesome project!
xo
s
Wendy says
Love it and your wise and compassionate parenting for timing toys when they are best for Clara’s development!
Here’s to hoping the next ship/sailing reference might include “HMCS” (Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship) for your Canadian readers and those with ties to the Canadian Navy.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah! We’ll have to work that in!
xo
s
Evie says
A great post and I like what Monika commented on about the other types of boards used in her classroom. We have a handicapped son and my hubs made a nuts and bolts board for him. He nailed 2 boards together to make a “T”. On the board that sits perpendicular to the base he drilled starter holes then screwed in bolts of various sizes. My son then takes the matching nuts and screws them onto the bolts. It is wonderful for fine motor skills.
Barbara says
What a sweet polite baby girl.
Emma (Broke Ass Home) says
I think this is a great idea! You guys are certainly making an awesome little DIYer :)
Jacqueline says
What a fantastic project! Although I think the husband and I would end up fiddling with this more than the kids…
You guys have a great blog-it’s awesome to see that you do such cool projects together as a team. Keep up the good work!
Jacqueline @ hallipyeverafter.com
Kim says
Is this for your portfolio of children’s toy designers?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sure! Well, it’s actually for Clara. We just like making her stuff :)
xo
s
Jess @ Crunchy Hot Mama says
Love this! I’ve seen the M&D version and a few DIY versions on Pinterest floating around, and have wanted to make one for Emma. This gave me (or a push for my hubby) just the inspiration I needed to get ‘er done. Nicely done you two!
Rachel says
I don’t know how Sherry resisted ORBing everything! ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s true! I showed amazing restraint.
xo
s
Anne Gore says
Cool project. I am confused about where the kreg jig holes ended up. Did you cover those up with the latches on the front, or are those holes on the back side?
YoungHouseLove says
Those are on the back side. We thought about putting a square of felt on the back to cover them but you never see them anyway so we left them :)
xo,
s
KC says
I love seeing your homemade toys for Clara. This one does not disappoint!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks KC!
xo
s
Amy L. says
Really like this idea! Thanks for sharing.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Amy! Of course!
xo
s
Kristin says
I wish that I would of thought of something like this when my 7 year old was about 2 , after I drove to I can’t remember how many Toys R Us’s and Barnes and Nobles looking for the one Melissa and Doug makes for a last minute birthday gift.
Diana says
In our house we have a latch box. Basically it’s a rectangle wood box with many doors fitted with different types of latches. It’s still a staple in our toy closet. We have 4 children (17,13,9,5) & it is still holding up rather well. Our youngest boy played with it as a toddler often & now he uses it as a “prison” for his villain action figures.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow, that sounds amazing!
xo
s
Ashley Travers says
What an awesome present and even better reaction!
Michelle says
I love this! I love the look of the stained finish along with the pop of color around the edges! My son is 11 now, but boy, oh boy, he would have LOVED this when he was little! (By the way, he figured out how to get through two different fridge locks all on his own…little stinker!) I think this would be great with another handle on the top edge for carrying :) I might enlist my hubby to help me make one of these for our favorite toddler (I babysit her two days a week and she loves watching Clara videos…they are almost the exact age). Thanks for all the inspiration. Happy New Year!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that’s so sweet Michelle. Happy New Year to you!
xo
s
Richelle says
Oh I’m glad you posted this, I had pinned something similar to this several months ago and was begining to wonder if I had waited to late to make it for my son. He is several months younger than Clara so if she thought it was cool then I’m sure my guy will too!
Sarah says
LOVE it! I also find all the comments worrying that this will turn Clara into an escape artist hilarious. I’m pinning this for future reference – I never know what to get 3 year olds, and I think this is a perfect choice!
Sarah
Wendy says
Maybe you could put a drawer pull on one edge so that Clara can carry it around easier.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a fun idea!
xo
s
Lauren says
Oh how funny, my 2 year old daughter just got that melissa and doug latch board that you linked to for christmas!!!! She likes it as well. Yours is really awesome to be homemade AND it looks “prettier” than the M&D one ;-) It’s funny how much kids can love such a simple thing!!! (and great!)