Kids Play Time Lap Box Guest Post

Hi all, my name is Caroline Ellis and I'm so excited to be a guest blogger for the Wood Connection.

I've been going there for a few years now and my house could be another store with all the decor I have from there.

Today I get to share with you how to make a Lap Box using the 11"x 14" Subway box.

I will warn you ahead of time, this project wasn't hard but it takes time to make because you have to wait for things to dry. 

 But here we go!

A list of things you need:

• Sheet Metal- 11" X 14" and 9 3/8" X 12 3/8" (Home Depot has a sheet for about $8)
• Subway box from The Wood Connection 11" X 14" for $6.95
• 11" X 14" board (ask the ladies behind the desk at W.C. to cut some for you, they'll do it for under $2)
• Heavy duty glue, I like 527 which you can find at many craft stores
• Paint
• Fabric 14" X 17"
• Stuffing
• 2 yards of 1/2" or thicker ribbon.
• 2  1 1/2" hinges
• Clasp 
• Paint brushes
• Pressure clamp 
• Fun magnets for kids to play with

    

First, paint one side and the edges of the board and the inside and outside edges of the box.

After painting you can spray these where you painted with a sealing spray.

One thing to remember with sealers is that you should do two coats.

After the first you should use a very fine grit sandpaper (wood opens up after sealing and makes smooth wood rough), do this very lightly and just a few brushes over the wood

should smooth it back out.

Do the second coat after that.

 Next you will need to start gluing the fabric to the box.  

I used a book to help add depth for where the stuffing will eventually go.

Put glue about 1/4" to 1/3" from the bottom of the box.

Fold the fabric up onto the glued edge about 1/2" to 3/4" up.

The edges will be frayed but don't worry about it now.

Don't worry about the corners till all the gluing is done.

Wait for the glue to dry before starting the next side with glue. 

 Once you have THREE sides glued and dried remove the book and insert stuffing.

Add a lot and make sure to push it in the corners.

You almost want it to be over flowing out of it.

 While the glue is drying with the fabric you can also add the sheet metal.

You will be gluing it to the top of the board (side that was NOT painted) and the inside of the box.

As you can tell I added weight to the top so it would be glued good and flat to the board.

 Once all four sides of fabric has been glued and dried fold the corners in.

Using a pressure clamp might help with gluing the sides and corners.

Like I said you will be doing a lot of waiting for the glue to dry.

This was when I made my magnets.

The Wood Connection has these cute little wooden coins in
different sizes perfect for magnet making.

I had alphabet stickers so I just put them on so my son can work on his
letters and numbers; also good for writing messages.

A friend gave me the best idea after I had finished; let the kids paint
the coins before you put the stickers on.

I worked on this craft during my sons nap but I had to keep the supplies out so it could dry.

He had a hard time staying away from all the untouchables; I wish I would have let him paint and play with me and made it a bonding time for us.

The Wood Connection also has cute little shapes like these cars that are also great for magnets.

 Once all the above is dry you need to wrap ribbon around the raw edges of the fabric.

Once again use the pressure clamp.

Place it on the starting point, glue one side, pull the ribbon tight and apply over glue.

Go all the way around and fold the end of the ribbon under and place over the starting point.

Use pressure clamp over the end to let it dry tightly and flat.

Lastly you need to put the hinges and the clasp on.

I used glue to apply these but if you're handy with a drill that might hold even better.

You may also want to buy a handle if you think you'll be carrying it around a lot.

We keep ours in the car.

This is what the bottom looks like.

I love having the cushion, more comfy on the lap, it can act as a shock absorber for our crappy portable DVD player and a pillow when I've forgotten one on road trips.

 My son loves his play desk, and I love that his toys don't fall to the ground in the car anymore, they cling to the metal.

I also love having all his driving activities in a box.

We have dino magnets, alphabet magnets, car magnets, books, coloring book, markers and dry erase markers (which will erase just fine on the metal board).

If keeping it in the car I would advise to not put crayons in the box and to store it under the seat or metal side down so it wont be super hot the next time you drive.

I hope you enjoy, I know your kids will.