I found a really cool project while browsing Pinterest: a busy board (the busy board by Millionayres in particular)! I have never seen such a thing, but the moment I saw it I knew I had to make it. I made use of some scrap 1×12 boards, spray painted it black and yellow, and purchased a variety of items to attach to the board. In this post, I’ll share the steps I took for creating a busy board for our busy little boy!
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links.
Tools and Supplies
The following items are some of the tools and supplies I gathered to make the busy board:
- 2 – 1×12 boards 36 inches long
- Kreg Jig (for joining the two boards)
- Silhouette (for creating the caution stencil)
- Yellow spray paint
- Black spray paint
- Painters tape
- Contact paper (material used to creating the Silhouette stencil)
- Daddy Van’s Beeswax (for sealing the project)
- Cotton Terry Cloth Applicators
- OOK ReadyNail Large Sawtooth Hanger
- OOK Picture Hangers
Busy Items
- Door Chain
- Locking Hasp
- Spring Door stop
- Bells
- Caster wheel
Creating the Busy Board
Step 1: Join the 1×12 boards.
I wanted to make use of lumber I had on hand, so for my board I used my Kreg Jig to join two 36″ long 1×12 boards.
Step 2: Spray paint the with base color.
Next, I spray painted the board with yellow spray paint.
Step 3: Create caution stencil.
I created a caution stencil with the message, “CAUTION: CHILD AT PLAY” from my Silhouette and Contact paper. I followed the Shanty sister’s tutorial on creating a stencil with Contact paper to get the perfect cut setting on my Silhouette. You can download my Silhouette cut file here.
Step 4: Apply caution stencil and painters tape.
I applied the caution stencil to the board and used painters tape to tape off diagonal stripes.
Step 5: Spray paint with secondary color.
Next, I spray painted the entire board with black spray paint. Once I removed the stickers I was a little disappointed to notice a few areas where the stencil and tape were not completely stuck to the board. This resulted in a few fuzzy spots. Fortunately, if you stand from a distance the flaw is not noticeable.
Step 6: Seal the board.
I used Daddy Van’s Beeswax to apply a protective coat on the board. This is my first project using beeswax. Daddy Van’s was really easy to apply and I am quite pleased with the results. It gets bonus points for no smelly fumes and easy clean up!
Step 7: Install the busy hardware.
Now, here’s the fun part: installing the hardware! I made a trip to the hardware store and I purchased the following busy little items:
- Door Chain
- Locking Hasp
- Spring Door stop
- Bells
- Caster wheel
I also made a trip to Michael’s to purchase some bells. I strung the bells on cord and attached it to the board as well.
If you use a door stop, secure the tip with glue.
Step 8: Hang the board!
In hindsight, I should have installed the picture framing hardware prior to installing the busy hardware. It would have made this step a little easier. I installed two large OOK Sawtooth hangers on the back of the board. I then installed two 20 pound OOK Picture hangers on my drywall.
If you have never used this picture hanging system, I recommend you check it out. It made this step a breeze!
The Finished Busy Board
The Busy Board was an instant hit for my little guy. He is most attracted to the spring door stop and caster wheels. I am pretty happy with how the project turned out as well! I do have a few more spots that I’d like to fill in, perhaps with a mirror and a push light.