How to Make Your Own Felt Board

To use any Flannel Board Fun set, you’ll need a felt-friendly surface.
Kids’ Sets and Play Mats are made for kids to use independently—on the floor, at a table, even on an airplane tray.
But if you’re leading a group activity with one of my Storytime Sets, you’ll want a sturdy, upright board that’s easy for everyone to see.

Good News: You Can Make One Yourself

Sure, you can buy a felt board from a school supply company like Lakeshore Learning or Discount School Supply.
But it’s very easy, and often much cheaper, to make one yourself.

Here are a few tried-and-true options:

💡 My Go-To Felt Board: Artist’s Canvas + Felt

This is what I use in all my videos. It’s lightweight, easy to make, and totally customizable.

You’ll need:

• A stretched artist’s canvas (mine is 24″x36″)
• Felt by the yard (acrylic or wool-blend both work great)
• A staple gun, hot glue, or strong tape (I’ve heard good things about Gorilla Tape)

How to do it:

1. Cut the felt with enough extra to wrap just a few inches around to the back—no need to wrap the whole thing like a gift.
2. Pull the felt snug across the front and secure it on the back with staples, glue, or tape.

Propping tips:

• Use an easel (a kid’s easel with a tray works especially well), the seat of a chair, or the floor. Just lean the board against something sturdy like a chair back, bookshelf, or toy shelf.
• Prop it at a slight backward angle so the pieces stay put.
• To help with sliding: Place a strip of double-sided tape or non-slip material along the bottom edge (where it touches the surface).
  For a more permanent solution, try attaching a bit of non-slip drawer liner or rug gripper tape.

🛠 Other DIY Options

If you don’t have a canvas handy, you can use the same basic idea with other sturdy materials:

• Cork board
• Plywood or cardboard
• Pegboard

Just cover the front with felt and secure it on the back.
Stretched canvases are still my favorite—they’re lightweight, easy to carry, and often on sale at national craft stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby. (Keep an eye out for those coupons!)

🍕 Bonus Hack: The Pizza Box Board

Yes, really.

If you’re short on space or need something super portable, grab a clean, unused pizza box and turn it into a tabletop felt board.

Here’s how:

• Open the box and glue a piece of felt inside the lid.
  (Spray adhesive works best, but hot glue can work too—just make sure the felt sticks flat.)
• Store your felt pieces inside.
• When you’re ready to present, rest the box in your lap and open the lid toward your audience.

Heads-up:
You’ll be placing pieces from a different angle than usual, so it’s worth practicing once or twice.
It’s a little balancing act—but it works like a charm. 🙂

Still not sure what setup will work best for your space?
Send me a note—I’m always happy to talk felt board logistics.