LEGO is one of our favourite screen free activities but, let’s face it, while it might be fun to play with, it’s a b*tch to pack up. Could there really be a way to make LEGO fun for mum too?
This LEGO mat solves two ongoing LEGO issues in one hit: somewhere dedicated to play and a super-quick way to clear it all up again. The drawstring bag folds straight out into a play mat and when play is done it pulls straight back up with the LEGO inside.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m no sewer and I found the ready-made versions of this type of LEGO bag a bit too expensive. So I devised a way for us mere-mortals to make a quality one of our own. And guess what? We’re learning a handy new skill that will make us all feel like proper DIYers as we go. Grommet-fixin’ is awesome fun and a great way to get aggression out with a hammer (particularly handy if you’ve just stepped on a random LEGO piece – ouch!)
What you need
- A large piece of thick fabric measuring at least 1 metre (1000 mm) x 1 metre (1000 mm). You’ll need to use a fabric that won’t fray and won’t stretch. I used a 1.2 metre (1200 mm) x 1.2 metre (1200 mm) piece cut from an old black-out curtain. Other good options include corduroy, fleece or felt. You can also use a spray called Fray Stop on most fabrics to stop them fraying. Otherwise, hem any thick fabric (which kind of defeats the purpose of a no-sew DIY, but I’m putting it out there as an option).
- Scissors
- A 12 mm grommet kit: consisting of anvil, setting punch, material punch and brass plated grommets (more on this later)
- A 2.5 metre (2500 mm) length of 6 mm rope or drawstring
- Tape measure
- Piece of string
- Piece of chalk
What you do
Lay the fabric down flat and then fold into quarters.
Measure a piece of string that is half the width you eventually want your circle to be (in my case, a 1.2 metre (1200 mm) circle meant my string was 600 mm).
With one hand, firmly hold the string on the folded corner of your fabric. With the other, hold the piece of string tight and the chalk and draw a neat arc from one side of the fabric to the other.
Cut along the arc with the scissors then open out the fabric to reveal your perfect circle.
Next, make 12 small X cuts with your scissors around the circle (at 12 o’clock, 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock, etc.).
It’s time to hammer in your grommets but first, let me talk you through a grommet kit.
A grommet set consists of an anvil and setting tool (and mine came with some other barrel thing that I never worked out what to do with). You then have a grommet barrel and a grommet washer.
To begin, make sure you have a solid surface underneath you. A workbench is ideal (but I made do with a chopping board on top of my dining room table – the table is not precious!).
Turn the fabric so the ‘wrong side’ is up. Put the grommet barrel through the fabric where you made your X, so the barrel is pointing up at you and put the anvil under the fabric, under the front of the grommet barrel. Put the grommet washer over the barrel and put the setting tool on top of washer.
Make sure your solid surface is directly underneath the grommet, then take your hammer and wail on that setting tool like there’s no tomorrow. Get all your aggression out! Go on, hit that bad boy hard!
Did you get that? Here’s a video demo of grommet setting, just in case you need it. Watch for the painful hit to the thumb…
Once you have all 12 grommets in place, it’s time to thread the rope. Thread it in and out of each grommet until you reach the first grommet again then thread the rope through the first hole again. Tie the ends of the rope together.
You’re done! Open the bag fully to make the play mat and close the bag by pulling on the drawstring.
Happy LEGO-ing kiddos!
How do you store your kids’ LEGO?
{This post originally appeared on Kidspot}
Let’s play!
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Kirsty says
This is brilliant. My eldest two have only just got into lego and I’m seem to spend hours picking up random pieces. I see a Bunnings trip on the agenda… Thankyou!
Maxabella says
You’ll love it, Kirsty. It was a game changer for me! We lay the bag out flat and then I put down a flat board for the kids to construct on. At the end of play, we scoop the pieces back onto the mat and pull the cord. Done!
Nadia says
Awesome! We are still at the duplo stage but I can see this being useful for taking toys when you travel too. We do A LOT of car trips. This way when we stop at places, voila, toys out and clean play area!
Maxabella says
You are so right – perfect for travel. We use one as a beach bag too – it unfolds flat and becomes a waterproof mat to hang out on. Might do a post on that one!! x
Charlene says
Brilliant! I need to make one of these for those Countdown dominos! haha they go everywhere. Great solution for lego – and perfect for people like me who don’t sew! So THANK YOU Bron.
Maxabella says
My pleasure! Little ones, big ones – thousands of uses really!! x
Holly says
Genius!!! I am in awe of this idea!
Maxabella says
I made one to use as our beach bag too, Holly. It’s SO GOOD ‘cos you lay it out and it’s a mat at the beach and then you just fold it all up with the wet towels in it to take home.