- 5 - 15 mins
- Fine motor, colour mixing, science concepts
- Easy
- Minimal preparation
Geoboards are a fabulous learning tool. They are great for creating art, exploring shapes and developing visual skills. It’s a great way to practice fine motor development and engage with STEM learning all at once! You can buy them, but why when you can DIY!?
This example of a DIY geoboard was simple to make, minimal prep required and was made with things I found at home or around my neighbourhood. Totally adaptable, just think creatively or read ahead for more ideas.
What you will need
- Log or chopping board
- Nails
- Elastic bands
- Hammer
- Ruler
- Pencil
Activity steps
Setup
- You will need to source a sturdy piece of wood that you can hammer into. I used a slither of a log because my neighbour had just cut down a tree and they were free game. But you can use an old chopping board, a plank of wood. It doesn’t really matter!
- Use your ruler and pencil to rule up an even grid on your piece of wood. I suggested about 1-2cm apart. I actually skipped this step but I would suggest ruling it up so that the shapes you will make later are in proportion. The size of your grid will depend on your wooden object.
- Using your hammer, put one nail on each spot of the grid. Try to make the length of the nails the same.
- Grab some elastic bands and away you go! Stretch them from one nail to the other and create shapes, patterns, pictures and designs. Let your imagination run wild.
Learning Opportunities
- Fine motor- Participants are required to stretch an elastic band form one nail to another to create shapes and patterns. This will help to strength hand muscles, engage in bilateral coordination and master dexterity.
- Mathematical concepts- Participants will be provided opportunities to explore shapes, line, patterns, angles as well as counting and perimeter principles. All important concepts for mathematical learning in later stages.
- Creative expression- This is an open-ended experience which means there is no right or wrong. Participants are encouraged to think and feel creatively as they engage and design on the geoboard.
- Science concepts- Geoboards are a great stem learning tool. Participants will build problem solving and design skills whilst engaging in basic engineering and mathematical skills too.
Reference sites
We would like to acknowledge these amazing sites that have inspired us to create this activity. Thank you!