DIY--nut & bolt board

The nut and bolt board can be found with 5 to 7 nuts and bolts in varying sizes going from largest to smallest sticking up or through a board. It is a practical life activity that develops fine motor skills and the pincher grasp for indirect preparation of writing. 

The bolts do not move so the sole action in the activity is removing and replacing the nuts. We did not know about this activity when Delores was 2 so when Lydia mastered opening and closing lids to jars and lids to boxes it was time to move to this activity. 

Now in my last post "DIY--Sandpaper numbers," I stated it was more cost efficient to just buy it. In this instance however, that was not the case. Plus Josh was looking forward to doing this himself when I told him about it.

Here was our supply list:

Wooden block measuring 8.5 in long x 2.5 in wide x 1.5 in deep--FREE from Lowes. I'm not saying your Lowes will give this to you for free but if they can just give this piece of scrap wood away I can't imagine it costs very much.

5 nuts & 5 matching nuts (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2, and 5/8 of an inch) from Lowes--under $10.00. 

Small bottle of Gorilla glue from Lowes--$5.00

5/8 spade (wood-boring) drill bit from Walmart--$5.00**

Total: $20.00

The cheapest one I found (pictured first at the top of this post) was from Early School Materials for $19.50 not including shipping.  (http://www.earlyschoolmaterials.com/practical_life/five_bolt_board.html).

Another one I found (pictured second at the top of the post) was from JMPlearning.com for $31.95 not including shipping. (http://www.jmplearning.com/JS_2068_Seven_Bolt_Board_p/js-2068.htm)

We already had the 4 other drill bits so we didn't have that additional purchase. If you don't already have the drill bits you may come out better buying the block unless of course you want to add to you collection of tools and want a project. 

Josh made a grid on the back of the block with pencil to mark where each nut would be placed. A line in the middle the whole length of the block and then 5 lines the same distance apart intersecting the first horizontal line. Then drill through the back at each intersecting points. Put some glue in the holes and insert the bolts. 

After drying we notice the heads of the bolts caused the block to lay lopsided because the 5/8th was so large. To fix this problem he used some scrap pieces of wood to glue to each side of the bolts to level out the block. 

You could just use two pieces along each side but for some reason he wanted to do it this way. It works fine so why nit pick? Put the nuts on the bolts and... Ta da! 

Also, you can see that the gorilla glue expands and leaks out but you could easily shave this off with a razor blade. We didn't because I wanted to use it with Lydia immediately but we probably will take that step eventually. 

This is what it looks like now:

I still have plans to apply some high gloss polyurethane to it because I want it to look inviting, professional and because I'm a little OCD like that. 

Lydia has thoroughly enjoyed it and it was cheaper for us to make than to buy so all in all a win-win situation. 

** Josh just found one of these on Lowes' website for $3.78. So do all your research for the cheapest materials in your area unless you are a one stop shop person.