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May 16 2014

make a magnetic kids lap tray

Posted by hayley
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 How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Traveling with kids can be a challenge, but making them a cushioned lap tray can help! It’s a place to eat, play, and color that’s both comfortable and functional.

Supplies:
– 16″ pizza pan. I like this one from Walmart because it’s smooth without a thick rim.
– 18″ fabric of choice (minimum 40″ width)
– low loft batting
– 2″ wide sew-on velcro
– 2″ wide industrial strength adhesive velcro.

how to make a kids lap tray

1. Start by tracing the pizza pan on the fabric. Cut out two of these circles.

how to make a kids lap tray

2. Stack 4 layers of low loft batting together. Place pizza pan on top and cut around the edge.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

3. Cut two strips of the soft fuzzy side of your sew-on velcro, each 9″ long. Measure 4″ in from the outside edge of one fabric circle. Center, pin and top-stitch to secure.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

4. With right sides together, align the two fabric circles.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Then stack the cut batting underneath. Pin all layers together.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

5. With the batting facing up, sew almost all the way around the edge, using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Leave a hole of about 6″ so you can pull the cushion right-side out.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

6. Pull the cushion right-side out! Batting should fold to the inside.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

7. If you’re good at closing seams by hand, rock on witchya bad self. If not, then you’re like me— just pin and top-stitch it closed.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

8. Cut two strips of the scratchy side of your adhesive velcro, each 9″ long. Measure 4″ in from the edge of the tray and stick the adhesive velcro on so it lines up with the cushion velcro.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

9. Velcro the cushion to the pan and you’re set. Since I used leftover fabric, each tray cost me just $15! Another cool thing is that since the cushion is removable, it’s also washable.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Sticking adhesive magetic buttons to the bottom of a cheap plate helps keep meal time spills at a minimum. I found these awesome divided plates at Walmart for $1—they’re BPA-free too!

road trip : kid prep  |   greyhouseharbor.com

 Magnetic buttons on the bottom of tupperware containers keep markers or small toys from sliding around, too.

road trip : kid prep  |   greyhouseharbor.com

The 16″ surface is large enough to fit a letter-sized coloring page. Magnetic toys of all shapes and sizes are perfect for playtime – fridge letters, magnetic dress up dolls, and building toys all work great!

While they are ideal for long road trips, I’m keeping these handy in the back seat for every day use, too.

How to make a magnetic kids lap tray  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Tags: diy, kid stuff, road trip, sewing, tutorials

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  1. Pingback: How to Take an Exciting Vacation with Kids (and Without a Co-Pilot) - Wyoming in Motion Web MagazineWyoming in Motion Web Magazine July 1, 2019

    […] they’re charged and that they have other activities to keep them busy. If you’re handy, you can make a lap tray so they can draw or write about your trip along the […]

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I'm Hayley. Wife and mother by day, DIY enthusiast by night. Fueled by sweet tea and jelly beans, I own power tools and know how to use them. Consider yourself warned.

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