Hot Wheels, Skylanders, Pokemon… whatever your child collects, you can make a durable play mat that will entertain them for hours! The finished mat even rolls up for portable playtime.
Tips:
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These play mats are made of vinyl, so they’re much more durable than mats made from paper, and easier to make than mats sewn from fabric. You can find vinyl like this in most fabric stores, by the upholstery or utility fabrics. Depending on where you purchase it, it may also be called “faux leather” or “naugahyde.”
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I’ll be drawing my designs with Sakura’s Permapaque® dual-point markers. These markers contain a durable ink that goes on smoothly like paint. It dries almost instantly so you don’t have to worry about it smearing.
If your child is old enough, they can draw their own design. You can involve smaller children in this project by asking what they think should be included. My toddler asked for a car mat for his Hot Wheels, so I’m starting by drawing a road with the fine tip of a black Permapaque marker. (He also wanted a playground and an ice cream shop!)
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There are also metallic Permapaque markers… the silver is perfect for coloring in the slide, and the gold is a nice touch on the school bell.
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My six year old asked for a play mat for his Skylanders figurines. The broad chisel point is ideal for coloring in large areas.
You’ve probably noticed that with other brands of markers, the tip begins to dry out when you’re filling in big spaces. Then you have to let the marker rest while the tip absorbs more ink. This doesn’t happen with Permapaque® markers. I filled in the entire blue background without stopping, and the color stayed consistent the whole time.
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You’re probably wondering how durable this project is. The Permapaque ink stays put pretty well, even when it’s rubbed with a damp cloth. But I decided to see how it held up to a couple weeks of intense playtime. There were some minor scratches from car wheels.
If this bothers you, it can be prevented by spraying a light coat of clear finishing spray on the completed mat. This spray can be found in the fine art section of the craft department, typically by the paints.
Remember, only adults should use spray cans, and it should be done in a well-ventilated area.
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Roll up the finished play mat and secure with an elastic band for portable playtime!
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Finished?
How you get the foam thingy