Ellen came up with a clever hack for her artistic kids:
My kids like to draw everywhere — sitting on the couch, on the drive into school, waiting in the doctor's office. Rather than spending a pile of money on a real 'lapdesk' gizmo or another flimsy clipboard (the overpriced Dora one broke on the second use), I use a smallish plastic cutting board from IKEA with a butterfly clip or some tape to hold the current masterpiece on. If I get organized, I'm going to use duct tape to create a pencil holder on the edge of the desk. The board's cutout handle makes it easy to carry, they come in several sizes for different sized laps, and it's a cinch to wipe it down if it gets mucky. The same surface can be used as a worksurface for playdough too.
Tags: Art projects
How about a real clipboard? The clip wouldn’t come off to get lost and it’s big enough for a full piece of paper.
Real clipboards tend not to react well to water.
Being washable is a key feature of the plastic cutting board.
I also like the lower profile of a butterfly clip as compared to most clipboards
Great idea!
We have also used small baking sheets from the dollar store. I glued felt on the back for traction on laps and to use as a felt board.
A great size, the edges keep pencils from rolling away in the car and you can take along some magnets to play with as well.
This is a fantastic idea. Thanks!