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Home / Early Learning / Homemade Geoboard for Math and Fine Motor Skills

Homemade Geoboard for Math and Fine Motor Skills

Shared by Mary Catherine 10 Comments

Table of Contents

  • so much learning from a simple, homemade geoboard!
  • Materials for the Geoboard
  • Creating the Homemade Geoboard
  • Done-for-You Preschool Resources

so much learning from a simple, homemade geoboard!

Homemade Geoboard, geoboard from corkboard, geoboard in preschool

In early childhood education, geoboards are used for a variety of reasons:

  • to practice and promote fine motor skills
  • to explore shapes
  • to create letters and numbers
  • to explore symmetry
  • to build prior knowledge of geometric concepts (such as area and perimeter)

The above list isn’t exhaustive, and I bet you could come up with 5 more uses for a geoboard before you’re done reading this post!  As with many educational items, it may seem simple, but it packs a punch with kiddos.  Even better, it’s fun.

kids homemade geoboard, geoboard from corkboard, geoboard with kids

When I taught kindergarten, my classroom had a set of plastic geoboards.  They were about 6 inches square, which was perfect for one or two children.  Now that I’m teaching preschool, I wanted to incorporate geoboards in my class without having to spend any money.  That’s when I remembered Hands On: As We Grow’s Push Pin Geoboard post.  I’d pinned it a while back so I wouldn’t forget the link.  (If you’ve never checked out Hands On: As We Grow, be sure to go do so!  Jamie has a marvelous site filled with so many resources!)  Her post is what inspired me to poke around my classroom for a few simple items.

kids homemade geoboard, geoboard from corkboard, geoboard with kids

Materials for the Geoboard

This project is super simple. You only need a few things. And, as a preschool teacher, I have a sneaking suspicion that you already have most of them on hand. Here’s what you’ll need (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):

  • Corkboard
  • Push pins
  • rubber bands

Seriously, that’s it. It’s so simple!

Creating the Homemade Geoboard

So, this morning, I grabbed a corkboard that wasn’t otherwise occupied, some push pins, and some rubber bands.  It took me less than 10 minutes to put the board together before class started.  Then I just set it out on a table, along with a pile of rubber bands, and sat back to watch the show.  As the students trickled in, almost all of them spent some time exploring the geoboard.  I’m sure there will be requests for it tomorrow!

kids homemade geoboard, geoboard from corkboard, geoboard with kids, preschool geoboard

I liked using the cork board, as it allowed a group of children to play at the same time.  There was also more room to create larger shapes, designs and patterns.  The students didn’t end up moving the push pins around to redesign the geoboard today.  However, in the future I may lay out a box of push pins and let them go at it that way.  Obviously, Mary Poppins or myself will be there to supervise!

kids homemade geoboard, geoboard from corkboard, geoboard with kids, geoboard in preschool

Done-for-You Preschool Resources

Planning meaningful lessons for students week after week while balancing other teaching responsibilities and a personal life can be a daunting task. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in to save you time!

Preschool Teacher 101 has created some amazing preschool lesson and activity plans that will be perfect for your classroom. Click on the images below to learn more about some great math lesson plans and activities!

One more one less math games cover
One More One Less Math Games
My Community STEM challenges resource cover.
My Community STEM Challenges
Cover of digital 2D shapes activity pack for preschool.
2D Shapes Activity Pack

Join The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101 today for exclusive access to our content. We have a variety of membership options to suit your needs.

Filed Under: Early Learning

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Comments

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  1. Veens says

    January 16, 2013 at 12:53 am

    This is something I think Aarya would love this. I have to make a tot-style version of this soon 🙂 Thanks for posting.

    I saw your post linked at Tuesday Tots ( I have posted there too )

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      January 16, 2013 at 1:56 pm

      Thanks for stopping by! The children really loved it, and Engineer saw the pictures and is already planning how to make his own version. 🙂

      Reply
  2. erin says

    January 20, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    My kids love playing with our geoboard too! Thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      January 20, 2013 at 9:03 pm

      Thanks for stopping by! 🙂 Yes, Engineer is still planning out what he wants his to look like. I’m a little scared…. 🙂

      Reply
  3. jtulip says

    January 21, 2013 at 12:02 am

    I loved playing with those when I was a kid! Thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      January 21, 2013 at 7:45 am

      I always love seeing what’s shared at Mom’s Library. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  4. nlieuopreschool says

    January 21, 2013 at 4:08 pm

    Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Tots last week!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      January 21, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      Yay! Thanks so much for featuring it. I’m so excited! 😉

      Reply
  5. Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest says

    May 20, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    I’ve wanted to make a geoboard for awhile now but haven’t gotten around to it. This one is so easy though that I have no excuse not to make it! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 20, 2013 at 10:40 pm

      Ann, they are so much fun for the kiddos! Engineer and I are going to make a larger version for him in the next couple of weeks. I must admit, the geoboard is fun for me too (just don’t tell the kids that)! Let me know how it goes if you do make one. 🙂

      Reply
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My name is Mary Catherine, and I love to share meaningful {and fun} learning activities for kiddos! Feel free to browse and stay awhile!

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