Earlier in the week I wanted a bit of 1-1 time with Mr H, so I set up this quick and easy geo-board activity for the older two to do. It was really simple to set up and kept them both entertained for a good hour.
To set this up you will need (affiliate links included):
- Cork board – I used an A3 cork notice board
- Push pins
- Loom bands
I initially set the push pins up into a grid for the children, and demonstrated how to put the loom bands across. I pretty much left them up to it. It was fascinating to watch them do this. Miss E took a little while to get into a rhythm of being able to stretch the loom bands across but Mr D soon worked it out and was adding bands onto the various pins.
Once each pin had a band on it he asked what else he could do. I asked him if he could see any shapes, and he spotted a square so we talked about how he could turn that into a triangle.
He then created more squares and triangles. This was a really nice way to introduce ideas such as halving and then quartering as he worked out that by adding a band in the opposite direction he would have four triangles within each square.
Miss E just created various shapes on her side of the board – she liked to add as many bands as she could around just two pins. They could both see the pins straining a little as the bands pulled them inwards, so it was a good way to remind them about the idea of forces that push and pull (we had been looking at bridges earlier in the day).
Once Miss E had tired Mr D set about taking all the pins out and placing them back in at random points and stretching the bands around them.
They both had great fun with this and I am sure we will be using this again soon.
That’s really good. Lots of learning opportunities there x
Very inexpensive and easy to do. Look at the design, that’s pretty cool – I’d even do this!
I love this idea, so easy to set up and creative! So many ways in which the children can play, and many opportunities for lessons to be taught. I also love that they can each have their own areas to work on, cuts down on the squabbling!
Oh wow this is really cool and perfect to make with kids on a rainy day – love it
Laura x
This Geo board looks like a lot of fun, it would be perfect for my nieces and nephews!
This looks like so much fun, but it also looks very educational! I know I’ll be sending a few relatives with young kids this way!
This looks great, and a really simple yet effective way to entertain the kids x
I remember playing geo boards as a kid, it was a always fun and educational
That looks like fun and we have plenty of loom bands at home to do this too which is handy 😉
What a great, fun way to show kids the importance of shapes and fractions! We might try this at home..just need to find some loom bands 😉 x
Love this idea, really quick and easy to make as well x
What an easy way to have fun! I have a pinboard myself and will use this to entertain when kids come round now!
I haven’t seen these before, but I think it’s something that my niece and nephew would love.
You have made this look so quick and easy, it looks really effective too x
What a great way to teach children something new while they don’t even know they are learning, just having fun.
I will have to make this for my neices. They would love it.
ahhh… hope they enjoy
What a brilliant idea this is! my son would love to do something like this
This sounds like a great fun way to keep the little ones engaged. Nice.
wow what an amazing idea! I am surely trying this with my little one! what a great way to build those motor skills and learn shapes and alphabets!
this is such a good idea! it’ll keep the young ones occupied for a long time
Never heard of doing this before – anything to keep the little ones entertained should always get a thumbs up