The Toy Box Years: DIY Peg Number Boards

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

While searching for a birthday gift for Nudgie, I came across these at Lakeshore Learning....

I LOVED the concept, but didn't love the price ($34.95). I started searching for a cheaper version, and in the end, decided that I would make my own.

I was lucky enough to find some scrap wood at a local garage sale for free. (I'll admit that it was actually in a paint bucket that she was using as a trash can. So does that make me an official trashpicker now??) We had the paint already and the only thing I ended up buying was a bag of golf tees for $3.

My Marine graciously cut the wood down to size for me and then I pulled out my favorite power tool (my sander!) and got to work!

Once sanded and all cleaned up, I then put on a couple coats of paint. It was a nice day, so fortunately, they dried pretty quickly too!

After they were dry, I started to put the numbers on, but the stencils I had were too big. So I went online, found some numbers and printed them out. I then reduced them on my copier, cut them out with hubby's Exacto-Knife and then painted them on the boards. (I apologize because for some reason, I don't have a photo of these being painted!)

Once those were dry, I pulled out my second-favorite power tool - the drill - and drilled the holes in the board. My Marine did a great job of setting up the drill bit so that the golf tees fit perfectly. (And I only drilled completely through about 4 holes!)

All done!!

And that was it!!! Now it was time to play!!

Total Cost to Make: $3

Wood - Free
Paint - Free
Stencils - Free
Golf Tees - $3

Much better than $34.95 (plus shipping!), I'd say!!!

10 comments:

Christy Killoran September 20, 2011 at 7:30 AM: Super cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MaryAnne September 20, 2011 at 8:40 AM: I'm impressed! Very cute peg boards!
Mike G. September 20, 2011 at 9:06 AM: Not only did you make your own, but yours is wood, not plastic - and your pegs are more easily replaced than those soon-to-be-lost plastic pegs. Awesome project!
Mike G. September 20, 2011 at 12:32 PM: By the way, I read more of your blog (saw your post today on chocolatemuffintree on FB), and see that you're a military spouse. Some of our military spouse friends (one Army and one Navy) suggested that we have a military coupon code because our emphasis on made-in-USA toys fit with their beliefs. We created one: USM20 gives 20% off everything at www.pureplaykids.com. Just thought I would share that with you; feel free to share it or not. Regardless, your blog is great!
LeeanneA September 20, 2011 at 5:34 PM: Oh I just love how nicely you made these and thanks for letting me know the post was up. Now I have to make my own! :)I will share this on my FB page!
Jess- September 20, 2011 at 7:26 PM: LOVE!!!
Michelle September 21, 2011 at 6:18 AM: Oh my goodness I NEED these. My husband is a contractor so hopefully he will be able to scrounge up some leftover pieces of wood for us to use! Thank you so much for sharing the girls will love these and there is no way I would pay over $34 for them either :)
Unknown September 22, 2011 at 10:13 AM: They turned out very cute! Way better than the alternative!
Maleah September 25, 2011 at 3:27 PM: What a great idea! I love how they turned out - brilliant!
Janice September 26, 2011 at 7:14 PM: What a fab idea!!