Do you need something to keep the kiddos busy while you make a phone call or wash your hair? This easy-to-make felt play mat will do the trick! And making it is a breeze with this tutorial.
It’s no secret that young children have boundless energy (where do they get it all?). And, if parents don’t want to feel like ripping out their hair by the end of the evening, they need to work towards directing that energy into various activities.
Today, I’m making one of those activities. It’s perfect for pulling out when you need a moment or tossing into the car to take with you on a drive or to an appointment.
You can make this felt play mat in a single afternoon. It’s perfect for your little one or any other child you need a DIY gift idea for.
Your little one can then play with the cars on the road anytime and anywhere!
Note: If you are craving more interactive toy ideas, check out our Quiet Activity for Toddlers, Magnetic Fishing Game, and Easy DIY Toddler Busy Bag With Truck Shapes.
How To Make A Felt Play Mat
This project is really simple to make. Get ready to be amazed at what you can accomplish with a few supplies and a little bit of time!
Supplies Needed
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this fun project! I’ve included some handy links to make finding certain items a little easier and faster.
- Felt Sheets in:
- Green (needs to be a large sheet)
- White (one sheet)
- Grey (one sheet)
- Orange (one sheet)
- Yellow (one sheet or scraps)
- Sewing Machine and Thread
- Green Ribbon
- Cricut Maker
- Rotary blade for Cricut Maker
- Scissors
- Pins
- Car and numbers cut file
Instructions
Just follow these step-by-step instructions and your car play mat will be ready in (practically) no time.
Step 1
Start by cutting your green felt to 11 inches by 13 inches.
Step 2
Cut your other pieces of felt. You can cut these by hand or with your Cricut machine. Cutting felt with a Cricut is really easy and is one of the many reasons that I love my Cricut Maker.
Upload the cut file with the car and numbers into Cricut Design Space.
For the rest of the felt play mat, you can cut the other pieces by hand, or I just used rectangles and curve from Cricut Design Space so I could have everything ready to cut with my machine.
Here are the measurements for the other pieces:
- 5-inch by 12-inch rectangle of white (you’ll need a 12×24 cutting mat for this)
- 4-inch wide curved piece of grey (for the road)
- 1/2-inch by 2-inch yellow pieces for road stripes
Here are the cut pieces for the felt play mat.
Step 3
Start pinning all of your pieces to each other but not to the green piece yet.
Note: The white piece is one inch longer than the 11-inch wide green piece. This gives you extra room when creating your car pockets.
Step 4
Then sew your road lines to the grey road piece. Stitch your numbers to the white piece.
Note: I used two pieces of grey to create my road. However, you can also use one felt piece cut into a curve.
Step 5
Pin the car to one corner of the green felt piece and stitch into place with your sewing machine.
Step 6
Flip the green piece over and start pinning your pieces and your ribbon into place.
Gather up your felt when pinning the white piece into place to create roomy car pockets. Before sewing, fold your project to ensure the proper placement of objects and ribbons.
Step 7
Then just use your sewing machine to stitch everything into place.
Note: I did not sew a line between one and two on the white felt. I did this for two reasons:
One, I did not want a sewing line on my car applique. And two, I have found that there are some LARGE mini cars. Monster trucks and ones with lights on the top, for example. I have made things like this before and have not always been able to fit all cars in the slots.
Not sewing this line leaves room for those larger cars and trucks.
Step 8
Then just fold up your felt play mat. It’s ready to give to anyone on your holiday gift giving list.
Be sure to add in a few cars before wrapping this one up!
FAQs
Here are a couple of questions that I see readers ask about making this felt play mat. If you have a question, please check to see if I’ve already answered it below. Don’t see your question? Leave it for me in the comments!
Could I just glue this felt play mat project instead of sewing it?
Technically, yes you could. However, the downside to just gluing everything is that it won’t have that complete, professional look that sewing delivers. Plus, sewing everything makes the entire project a little more durable.
Could I add a zipper to zip it closed instead of the ribbon to tie it closed?
Honestly, I think that adding a zipper to close this project would make it much more complicated than I would even want to attempt. If you’re a proficient sewer and want to add a zipper, please feel free. However, I like the ribbon tie method because it’s fast, easy, and just as effective for closing up this project.
This portable felt play mat is perfect for playing on the go. Just pop the cars inside, fold them up, and drop them in your purse or bag!
Every small child would love a felt play mat like this one. An on-the-go toy that is perfect for busy days and errands with mom or dad.
This felt project could not be easier (even if you don’t sew often), so get started on your own today. Your little one is sure to love playing with their own felt play mat!
Isn’t it amazing what a few sheets of felt can create?
More Craft Ideas For Kids
Love this felt play mat and want more gift ideas for the little ones? Try the links below!
