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August 22, 2012 by Jenae - 6 Comments
This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.

Stretchy Band Shapes

If you want to include a little learning in your gross motor play, try making (and playing with) some of these Stretchy Bands. They are super easy to make and can be used for a variety of purposes! I found the idea for using them to make shapes from This Mama Makes Stuff and it has been a big hit (with Big Brother, anyway…Little Brother is being extremely defiant this week as we’re potty training and wants absolutely NOTHING to do with ANYTHING I suggest).

Here’s what you’ll need to make 3 bands:  1/3 yard of swimsuit material (mine was 82% Nylon and 18% Spandex), and a sewing machine (or a needle and thread to sew by hand).

1. Lay your material out. As you can see, it rolls at the edges…so it’s a little tricky to get the edges to stay put.

 

 2. Cut your pieces. I made one 4-inch band and two bands that were 5-inches. A rotary cutter, mat, & acrylic ruler work wonders for holding down those stubborn edges.

 

 All cut and ready to be sewn!

 

3. Sew the 2 ends together (to form a loop of fabric).

 

 I sewed the ends twice (just for extra strength–with the way things get treated around my house, things have to be TOUGH around here).

 

 All done! Let your little one start making shapes!

 

Rectangle (almost a square)

 

Triangle (not sure what this face is about)

 

 Diamond / Rhombus

 

Supposed to be a “skinny rectangle” but looks a little more like a trapezoid

Also great for Little Brother rides!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa says

    August 22, 2012 at 8:22 am

    I love this! Where did you get your material?

    Reply
    • Jenae says

      August 22, 2012 at 8:25 am

      From JoAnn’s…It was regularly $16 per yard (yikes), but since I only got 1/3 of a yard and used a 50% off coupon (which I got from the JoAnn iPhone app), it ended up being $2.60 total to make 3 bands.

      Reply
  2. Heather @ Cultivated Lives says

    August 23, 2012 at 8:21 am

    I saw that original post on pinterest and have it on my to do list. I love seeing your boys having so much fun with it!

    Now to track down a joann’s coupon…

    Reply
  3. Kristina says

    August 23, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Love this idea and shared it along with our very simple shape activity that we did today
    http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2012/08/making-crayon-shapes-back-to-school.html

    I will need to make one of these!

    Reply
  4. Suzanne Holt says

    December 22, 2014 at 9:19 pm

    Very fun – always appreciate active play. Thanks for the money saving tips in the comments too! Pinned to frugal family fun.

    Reply
  5. Julie says

    August 26, 2019 at 1:42 pm

    I’m thinking of making these for my school class. How long did they stay stretchy?

    Reply

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