Waiting for a Long, Free Afternoon

 

For Christmas we decided to make a playmat for my nephew (age 4) and niece (almost 3).  I'd seen the idea in Family Fun magazine a few years back and had bought a roll of artist's canvas to make one for the school auction.  I made the one for the auction back in 2005, and intended to make another one for my girls shortly thereafter.  Well, somehow the roll of canvas got tucked into a corner and we never did make a mat for the girls.This time they were old enough to make a mat mostly on their own, so they practiced by making a mat for their cousins, with the goal of making their own mats shortly thereafter.... sound familiar?

 

The mat was completed, and gifted along with a set of matchbox cars for each child.  Now the roll of canvas is back in the corner, the paints and brushes set aside, and we're waiting for another long, empty afternoon to present itself so the girls can make their own.  We learned while making this one that it is not the kind of project to leave sitting out unattended while the paint dries.  Our cat walked across it and left colorful pawprints all over the wood floor!

If you'd like to make your own mat, you can find instructions here.

Comments

[Andrewjperry]

So you made the boys a mat many years ago and Lilly has recently rediscovered it. She ha sthe cars out driving them around on it just yesterday. Thank you!

Andrew

[Heather of Washington State, USA]

Andrew, I'm so glad your playmat is back in action! I've always believed that cars are not just for little boys, as evidenced by the dozens of cars in our house that are from my own childhood. Thanks, Heather.