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January 25, 2015 By Wendy 32 Comments

Easy Button Board Toddler and Preschooler Activity

This post contains affiliate links.

Hey, you know what’s really fun to play with? (Hint: it’s not the big toys that my kids found under the tree last month.) What’s really fun is making a robot out of an old box. Or yelling into a paper towel roll. Or banging on a pot with a spoon. I think sometimes we complicate activities for kids, when the simplest often rise to the top of the most-played list.

And a jar full of buttons is extra fun, apparently, because that’s what my kids have been playing with for the past week! Thus, this week’s toddler activity (that’s a great preschooler activity, too!)


Easy Button Board Toddler and Preschooler Activity

Buttons, buttons and more buttons! There’s something about those colorful buttons* that just keeps the kids mesmerized for the longest time.  Makes sense, I guess, if you think about how much kids love things like Polly Pockets, Barbie shoes and other tiny treasures.

Even if you don’t go so far as to make a game out of it, sifting buttons through little fingers seems to be a whole lot of fun in itself.

Easy Button Board Toddler and Preschooler Activity

But we did make a game out of it, and it only took about 10 minutes to create. I wanted some way to work on color recognition with my almost-2-year-old, so I took half of a piece of posterboard and covered it with randomly sized colored blocks that would match the buttons for sorting. The perfect button board!

Not too many instructions here: To make the color blocks, I just cut shapes out of peel and stick foam sheets which are great because if someone kicks or bumps the board, the buttons won’t slide off. And no glue just makes things easier. Just cover the posterboard any way you like, as long as the colors match your buttons!

Easy Button Board Toddler and Preschooler Activity

The board, along with 2 bags of assorted buttons, cost less than $10 overall. I was just aiming for different colors, but a good bag, like this assortment of Blumenthal buttons, will give you more than just a rainbow. You’ll get different shapes, textures and colors, with a few really unique buttons thrown in. Definitely an unexpected surprise for me, since I never bought a bag of buttons before.

This is why my 5-year-old has just as much fun as my 2-year-old when they play with their buttons. My little one sorts by color, while my big guy sorts by number of holes, patterns or just arranges the buttons in size order (like the red ones, above.) It’s a different game every time. Pure gold for mid-January (with a snowstorm approaching!)

Easy Button Board Toddler and Preschooler Activity

Like this activity? Share the love with a pin! 

Easy Button Board Toddler and Preschooler Activity

What’s your favorite simple or homemade toy?

*Of course, always supervise little ones closely as buttons can present a choking hazard.

Related

Filed Under: Activities, Crafts & DIY, Family Fun, Kid Crafts Tagged With: activities for kids, craft, DIY

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    January 26, 2015 at 5:25 am

    That is such a cute idea.! I love that it helps the, work on motor skills.

    Reply
  2. becca says

    January 26, 2015 at 7:05 am

    That is such a cute idea. It’s perfect for teaching color and working on motor skill.
    becca recently posted…Monday Music Moves Me 1-26-15 #MusicMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Jessica Beal Harlow says

    January 26, 2015 at 8:26 am

    Playing with buttons is a great way to practice fine motor skills! And, this is a fun way to start some math skills with mixing, matching, counting, and making patterns!
    Jessica Beal Harlow recently posted…Get a free tote bag and water bottle from California Closets!My Profile

    Reply
  4. Debbie L. says

    January 26, 2015 at 9:20 am

    This is really a cute idea. Perfect way to make learning fun.

    Reply
  5. lisa says

    January 26, 2015 at 10:14 am

    Little kids love buttons. My kids are not so little anymore and they still like sticking buttons to things!
    lisa recently posted…Four-Legged Stars to Stream on Netflix #StreamTeamMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Jennifer B says

    January 26, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    This is such a cute and fun idea for toddlers! Plus, buttons are just fun to play with and look at too. Thanks for this idea! Going to try it at home with my daughter!
    Jennifer B recently posted…No More Lost Parts: Poli Sippy Cups ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Kelly Hutchinson says

    January 26, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    What a super cute and fun indoor learning craft for the little ones. I have only ever made memory matching cards.
    Kelly Hutchinson recently posted…Cross Country Cafe Monday Flash Sale!My Profile

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      January 26, 2015 at 11:42 pm

      That’s on my list of to-make activities, too!

      Reply
  8. maria @ close to home says

    January 26, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    You can show your kids so many different skills with this board and buttons. What a great activity.
    maria @ close to home recently posted…#AD Game Day Buffet Ideas Using Deli WingsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      January 26, 2015 at 11:44 pm

      I was really surprised to see how many ways the kids figured out how to play with the buttons all on their own!

      Reply
  9. Lois Alter Mark says

    January 26, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    That’s such a cute idea. My kids always loved playing with buttons when they were little. I just had to watch that my daughter didn’t put them in her mouth!
    Lois Alter Mark recently posted…spring cleaning: #40bags40daysMy Profile

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      January 26, 2015 at 11:42 pm

      Yup, I definitely have to watch that!

      Reply
  10. Debbie Denny says

    January 26, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    That is a fantastic idea. Really fun.
    Debbie Denny recently posted…DiCaprio Stars in THE REVENANT Limited Release 12/25/2015!My Profile

    Reply
  11. Heather says

    January 26, 2015 at 8:19 pm

    Buttons can be so colorful and used in so many ways. My daughter loves using them for art projects!
    Heather recently posted…Football Fanatic Mint OREO Cookie Balls RecipeMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Stacey- Travel Blogger says

    January 26, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    How fun! This button board looks like a lot of fun!
    Stacey- Travel Blogger recently posted…Favorite Skincare Products Of A Busy MomMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Rosey says

    January 27, 2015 at 12:13 am

    I have a soft spot for buttons. My gram kept a cookie tin full of ’em and let me indulge in button play from time to time. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Trisha says

    January 27, 2015 at 12:19 am

    When I was working as a preschool teacher, we used buttons for art projects and sorting. I should really try this activity with my own preschooler!
    Trisha recently posted…Comment on Monster Jam Coming to the IZOD Center and Nassau Coliseum! #MonsterJamNYNJ by TrishaMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Liz Mays says

    January 27, 2015 at 12:57 am

    What a simple and fun idea. We played with buttons when my kids were younger too!
    Liz Mays recently posted…Managing Finances | A Realistic Look at Saving MoneyMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Janeane Davis says

    January 27, 2015 at 5:30 am

    This is such a smart idea. Small children enjoy yhe visual snd tactile sensation of activities like this one.

    Reply
  17. Krystal says

    January 27, 2015 at 8:32 am

    I’m pretty sure my toddler would go nuts for this. I should try it out.
    Krystal recently posted…Malaysian Black Pepper Chicken Stir FryMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Kristin says

    January 27, 2015 at 10:28 am

    Ok, I need to pick up some buttons! My lil’ lady bean would love this!

    Reply
  19. kerri says

    January 27, 2015 at 10:54 am

    This is a great idea for sorting and great craft projects. I bet my 4 year old would love this.

    Reply
  20. Anni {Stowed Stuff} says

    January 27, 2015 at 2:10 pm

    The perfect play activity during a blizzard! So fun!
    Anni {Stowed Stuff} recently posted…Weekly Meal Plan – January 25My Profile

    Reply
  21. Debi says

    January 27, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    You know I used to love playing with my mothers button jar when I was a kid. I never thought to give my kids a jar of buttons to play with. They would have loved it.
    Debi recently posted…The New Way to Stay Connected While Your Child is at DaycareMy Profile

    Reply
  22. Real Talk Moms says

    January 27, 2015 at 7:45 pm

    I love this idea. What a fantastic way to teach kids about colours, shapes and also counting. I love how affordable it is as well.
    Real Talk Moms recently posted…Five Foolproof Ways to cut Onions without CryingMy Profile

    Reply
  23. Lexie Lane says

    January 28, 2015 at 1:21 am

    This is really great for their hand-eye coordination. My son would love to separate all the different colors and also put them in order from small to largest. Very cool!

    Reply
  24. Donna Jacoby says

    January 28, 2015 at 8:19 am

    I remember how much fun I had with the jars of buttons my grandmother and aunts had. It was always a pleasure to find the similar ones whenever they were needed. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  25. Sarah L says

    January 29, 2015 at 12:49 am

    I didn’t know you could buy a bag of buttons like those. Very fun activity.

    Reply
  26. Bev says

    January 30, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    Such a clever idea! I want to make some sorting toys for my toddler, and I think in a few months buttons will be perfect for her (for now I think she would just try to eat them). Stopping by from the SITS linkup!

    Reply
    • Wendy says

      January 30, 2015 at 3:21 pm

      Thanks, Bev! Yeah, this one requires a little supervision if your little one is still eating things. Mine is a the stage where it’s funny to pretend she’s going to eat it just to see Mommy freak out. 🙂

      Reply
  27. Holly E says

    February 5, 2015 at 8:40 am

    Great idea! I love this!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 75 Kids Indoor Activities | Home Life Abroad says:
    September 21, 2015 at 11:44 am

    […] art project. 22. To work on color recognition, counting, sorting and shape recognition, use this button board activity or a felt activity board 23. Wrap up in a warm blanket and read tons of […]

    Reply

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