Learn how to DIY a car mat with just felt, hot glue, and some scissors! Kids will love playing with this activity mat for hours!
My nephew’s birthday was coming up and he LOVES cars. Loves them. and I knew I wanted to make him a felt car activity mat-all hot glue of course cause those sewing ones are TIME-CONSUMING! The best part about making it is that you get to customize it! You can add in all the fun little details to personalize it!
Supplies to make Car mat
- Felt
- sharp scissors
- hot glue gun
I like to pick a base color- and I either buy a yard or a yard and a half depending on how big you want your mat. Then I buy 1/4 yards of all the other colors I need.
Alison says
Alright my dear, you are entirely too talented! I cannot believe this!! Perhaps if I have leftover felt from my quiet book I will attempt such a feat!!
PS How do you cut out such cute felt letters?!
tierni moore says
Take freezer paper and iron it on to the felt … then cut. this prevents the felt from moving while trying to cut your pattern out.
Angela Brian says
first of all: i am your newest follower!
second: oh my goodness! you are a felt rockstar!
i found you from a post you wrote on someones blog… I AM SO HAPPY I AM HERE! WAY CUTE BLOG!
i know its not friday follow anymore, but feel free to check me out sometime:
greensubmarinediydesign.blogspot.com
Jill and Michelle says
Hi there,
Found you through Trendy Treehouse, and I'm now following! You've got some amazing stuff on your blog! Looking forward to exploring it some more!!
Jill
CraftyMummy says
This is so cute – I LOVE all the little details and the way you personalised it for him 🙂
mustangkayla says
This is super cool!
Jen @ lil Mop Top says
So cute! it looks like it took you FOREVER! Hopefully I can try that one day. Love that you did it without sewing! 🙂
ellie g says
Ummmm…that is absolutely darling. You are a genius. (and felt is genius as well…but it seems like you already know that)
M.O.T.B says
Wow, My son would love this. So cute!
jenn@peacelovemommy says
you're my idol.
Syndee@gourmetgal says
Adorable! And, yes…how do you cut out such cute felt letters? And how much fabric of each color did you buy? Going this week to get some. Totally inspired!
somedaycrafts says
Amazing! My kids would flip over something this amazing. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
Maggie says
OH MY HECK! That playmat is adorable AND so detailed!! I LOVE IT!!! Great job, great job, great job!!!
-Mags
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
You have once again outdone yourself! This is absolutely amazing, Kimbo!
Foundinthe-ALI says
So cute!! I love this.. I think i'm going to make this for the little boy I babysit for. super cute.
Im following you… i couldn't remember if was already.. but I definitely am now 😛
Haupi says
Of course he loved it! What's there not to love? Geat job. I gotta get me a glue gun.
http://hauplight.blogspot.com/
Pati @ A Crafty Escape says
This is beyond cute!
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
I have this project highlighted on my blog today. 🙂
http://www.positivelysplendid.com
Take care!
Amy
Camille says
Amazing!! I really want to make one of these for my little guy. Did you hot glue it all really? No sewing? I'm following your blog now too, keep the good stuff coming!
Kim @ seven thirty three says
WOW! That is one LUCKY boy. What an awesome mat!
I've made several activity mats for different kids in the last year, but none this big!
Thanks for linking up with What are little boys made of?
Dawn Michelle says
What a GREAt idea! Thanks for sharing!
Ellen says
You must put this in your etsy shop! my boy is turning 3 at the end of may and would LOVE this, but i'm just not that creative! please, make more!!!
a little bit of everything says
Visiting from TGC – love the car mat. So creative!
Not Just A Mommy! says
Hello, girl after my own heart, I too can only use glue, and I'm not ashamed to say it! I absolutely love this, the little one is having a Cars party coming up and I need to make this…oh and I would love to share with my raders!
Kami @ Sweet Charli... says
Very VERY cute! I always have loved these! When I have a boy I am for sure going to attempt to make one! Thanks so much for linkin' up with us this week! Good Job!
Nikki says
Super cute. I think I try to make one of these. Thanks for sharing.
Really Rainey says
Oh my gosh! That is the cutest homemade toy I have EVER seen and I a a retired Preschool teacher! I might have to make one for my grandkids playroom! Well done!
~Rainey~
Jamie Lane says
This is so adorable! I am here from New Friend Friday – hope you stop by to visit!
http://jamielanedesigns.blogspot.com/
Welcome to My Life says
Wow! you are so talented! I want to make one for my son, he will love it.
Julie says
That's awesome! Dropping by from New Friend Friday! If you have any flower projects I am hosting a Flower Week linky party. http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2010/05/flower-week-linky-party.html
Hope you'll check it out!
Sarah Jane says
This is such a fun mat! My little girl really loves cars, so I for sure need to make one for her! Thanks for the tut!
The Bearded Lady (Laura) says
Your nephew is one blessed little boy!! He will LOVE it!! You did an incredible job!! Thank you for sharing!!
Sweet Little Smoothie says
Wow this is AWESOME! I love that you can customize it for the recipient – such a great idea!! I'm sure you're nephew will LOVE it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jamie says
Totally awesome! Love the little baseball field!! Great job!
Kate says
Seriously adorable!
Londen @ Sixty-Fifth Avenue says
SO cute!! My daughter would love that too.
Londen
Nicole @ BugaBoos says
So cute!! My son would love it!! Awesome job!!
Thanks for stopping over to visit me 🙂
Love and Lollipops says
Hi!
This is amazing! You have inspired me so! My youngest will be 2 in August, so I'm going to go ahead and see if I can create something as beautiful!
I just now found your blog and had to smile at your name…I can so relate, 'cause I just don't sew, but love all things etsy!
I just did a post and tutorial on a No-Sew Caterpillar and Butterfly! Hope you will pop over and come and have a look.
Kind regards,
Georgia (www.allthingschildren.blogspot.com)
michelle@somedaycrafts says
Oh I need one of those!! You did a wonderful job! Thanks for linking up!
Stacy of KSW says
This is the coolest thing EVER!! I have three little ones that will be eternally grateful to you
Jenn @ Delicious Ambiguity says
This is amazing! Thanks for sharing! I'd love it if you'd come link up to Tot Tuesdays: http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/
Kristi Flanagan says
My son would have loved this when he was little. So, so cute! Thanks for planting your creative seeds at Plant a Punkin Seed Party. Come back again on Friday!
Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions
Cook Clean Craft says
That is just gorgeous. I love making stuff out of felt. Another project to add to the list!
Stephanie Cameron says
That is seriously adorable!! My nephew would love one as well! Maybe for his birthday!! Thanks!
Ginger says
Super cute! Love it! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!
Ginger
SSB
craftedbymama says
this is so cute! what a lucky boy
amy
Jenn @ Delicious Ambiguity says
Thanks for linking up to Tot Tuesdays! I love this mat & I featured you last Tuesday. Sorry I suck & didn't stop by sooner to let you know. Feel free to grab my featured button (under "buttons" in my menu bar). Have a great week!
Ginger says
Just wanted to let you know that you were featured today here:
http://superstinkyboys.blogspot.com/2010/05/mad-skills-monday-link-party-10.html
Feel free to snag my Featured button! Thanks!
Ginger
SSB
Brittany says
LOVE this! I always planned on making one of these, but just thought I'd make it with markers and a sheet, like my mom did. But, this is so much cuter with the felt!! LOve it. Thanks for the idea. I'm featuring it on my blog this month. 🙂 little-inspirations.blogspot.com
Lindsey says
This is so incredibly cute and a great idea! I'm making one right now for a friend's birthday party. One question – how did you get such great mitered corners? I don't do a lot of sewing and I've never done felt corners that well!
sharla@mylittlegems says
Seriously so so cute! I can't believe you used a glue gun- 🙂 I have one about 1/2 way done-but I am so linking this cutie when I publish mine 😉 very cute- love it.
Rhonda says
I really love this! I am making one for my stepson's birthday! Going tomorrow to get the goods, but I don't know how much felt to get.
Also, how did you attach the ties for rolling up?
♥ Carine Calé ♥ says
Thank you very much!!!!
Carine
monica says
love love love this!! you are one talented lady!!!
xo
monica
alison @ adventures at home says
Thank you so much for posting this–I just finished mine! http://at-home-adventures.blogspot.com/2010/12/homemade-gifts-car-playmat.html
Anonymous says
Oh, my gosh! Wow. You did a great job on this and I am totally bookmarking it for a future project….
Mommy on the go! says
This is awesome! I just posted a link to it on my blog:
http://weddedmommybliss.blogspot.com/2011/01/all-felt-and-glue-gun-play-matwow.html
Mommy on the go! says
You have inspired me! Check my blog (in a few days) and you'll start to see my play mat! I can't wait to finish this for my son!
The Iowa Farmer's Wife says
LOVE this and wanted to let you know I made one for my daughter and encouraged my readers to let you know if they ended up making one too. Thanks for the awesome idea!
http://theiowafarmerswife.blogspot.com/2011/01/felt-car-mat.html
Laura says
So cute, I wish you had a pattern for all the cute cut outs.
Kevin and Stephanie says
Thank you for inspiring me! I made one of these awesome felt car mats for my little guy for Cmas and he loved it! If you want to check it out here it is: http://sghouseofg.blogspot.com/2011/01/most-ambitious-cmas-craft-present-ive.html
I also linked back to you in that post.
Erika says
I LOVE my glue gun!!! This blog is amazing!!! Thanks for sharing!
Rommy says
Oi amei essa idéia desse tapete!!!!Parabéns!!!Eu sou professora de educação infantil de creche e sempre procuro idéia novas para entreter as crianças e essa idéia é maravilhosa!!!
Bjos Rommy
blog:rommy-ateliesdasflores.blogspot.com
Sassy Sites! says
{SEW}cute!! My little boy needs one of these for sure!! Thanks for joining our link up party over at Sassy Sites! Happy Wednesday! xoxo!!
Marni @ Sassy Sites!
Amanda says
I've put together a round up of fun family activity projects on Craft Gossip today and included your post. 🙂 You can see it here
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/6-fun-family-game-projects/
I included your pay mat from Idea Room too!
mommy2luke2008 says
This is amazing! I love all the little details! My son would have a ball with this! I featured it on my friday favorites!
http://www.lilbitofus.com/2011/04/friday-favorites_22.html
Love and Lollipops says
Hi there!
I have just done a post about my car mat and linked back here to you, 'cause you were my wonderful inspiration!
Here's the link
http://allthingschildren.blogspot.com/2011/04/felt-car-play-mat.html
Hope you will pop over!
Georgia
Flávia Borges says
Parabéns pelo belíssimo trabalho.
Grande beijo!
Flavinha
Natassia says
Obviously you know this (you have a ton of comments) but you are AWESOME!!! Seriously!! I love felt and hot glue and this is perfect!!!! Love it!!
Olives and Pickles says
I loved your tutorial ,thanks for sharing I am linking to your page form my blog.
Patty
http://olivesandpickles.blogspot.com/2011/08/felt-car-activity-mat.html
Kim @ seven thirty three says
I made one for my son and he is in love. You can check it out here (with props to AGAAGG of course!):
http://733blog.blogspot.com/2011/10/felt-car-play-mat.html
Ashley says
THANKS YOU SOOOO MUCH for this insperation:) I am just starting this for my sons christmas:) i will be sure and link back:) LOVE IT!!!!
xoxo
ash
alhsjej says
What size did you make the travel mat???
Do you have any templates??
Kimbo says
it’s about 4 feet long by a foot wide!
Rachel says
Love these play mats! I linked you up in my DIY Matchbox car post today http://onceuponasewingmachine.com/diy-matchbox-car-roundup/
Melissa Ryan says
New follower here. I am making a car mat similar to this for Christmas for my 18 month old. Your blog makes me feel creative (and I am not so this could be a disaster. haha)
http://www.adventureswithcaptaindestructo.com
Heather says
Love this – a couple questions
Is it washable? Does the hot glue show through in little hard spots on the side? And one more thing, did you just cut strips of long red felt for the side binding and hot glue them together is there 2 layers of green?
Sorry, trying to make this soon- wanna get it right!!
Kimbo says
as long as you hot glue like crazy…it’s washable. My only concern is the little tiny pieces…! hot glue and felt are pretty much a match made in glue heaven and hold very well together!!!
the binding is strips that I just sandwiched along the edges…only 1 layer of green!
Ailton Cunha says
Its great, thanks for this!