The Ultimate Guide to Felt Board Stories: History, Usage, and Benefits

Hey there! Welcome to our cozy corner of the internet where felt board stories come alive, and preschoolers' imaginations soar. Curious about these amazing story sets? Grab a cup of tea (or a juice box) and let’s dive into the wonderful world of felt board stories!

What Exactly Are Felt Board Stories?

Great question! Felt board stories are the superheroes of story time. Imagine colorful felt pieces, whether simple shapes or detailed illustrations, featuring adorable characters and setting elements, ready to be stuck to a flannel board. It’s like crafting your own fuzzy, interactive storybook!

At Playtime Felts, we offer a variety of engaging, precut felt sets, making storytelling fun and hassle-free. Our focus is on printing adorable images on felt pieces, perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners to use as moveable story props. We collaborate with clipart designers like Educlips and other talented artists from Teachers Pay Teachers. Plus, we're excited to announce the upcoming release of printable story props for kids!

When Were Felt Boards First Introduced?

Felt boards have a fascinating history dating back to the early 20th century. American educator Caroline Pratt popularized them in the 1920s as a hands-on, visual aid to support progressive teaching methods. This innovative approach has stood the test of time, and today, Playtime Felts continues this tradition with high-quality felt board sets available here at our website and on Amazon and Etsy.

How Have Flannelgraph, Flannel, and Felt Boards Been Used Over the Years?

So, you want to know some origin facts? Absolutely! Felt boards have a rich history and diverse applications. The terms "flannelgraph," "flannel stories," and "felt stories" all refer to methods of visual storytelling using felt or flannel materials. Here are some noteworthy examples:

• Early Techniques: Cut-Out Shapes: The earliest method of creating felt board stories involved cutting out solid color felt shapes. This DIY approach allowed individuals to craft their own stories and scenes. By manually cutting shapes, creators could make customized, one-of-a-kind storytelling pieces. This method gained popularity due to its simplicity and the limitless creative possibilities it offered.
  
  Kiddicraft K100 'Pictures in Felt was introduced in 1937 by Hilary Page. It was an early educational toy featuring various felt shapes that children could arrange on a board to create different pictures. This innovative concept encouraged creativity and fine motor skills in young children. The success of this toy laid the groundwork for later felt-based toys like Fuzzy-Felt, which became popular post-World War II and built upon the idea of engaging children in imaginative and hands-on play.
  
  
• 1950s - Early Education: Felt boards became popular in preschools and kindergartens as versatile educational tools. Vintage FUZZY-FELT BIBLE STORIES set by Allan Industries, which included felt silhouette pictures depicting various Bible stories. Created by Lois Allan in the 1950s, these sets have sold nearly 25 million units since their inception. Now that's a lot of yardage!
  
  
• 1960s - Religious Education: Sunday schools used felt boards to teach Bible stories with engaging visuals. Betty Lukens became known for their Through the Bible Felt Sets, revolutionizing storytelling by printing images directly onto felt. Marie Lukens, passionate about teaching Bible stories, created sets to illustrate every story in the Bible. Thanks to artists Clyde Provansha and Jim Arribito who transformed these sets into beautifully detailed images, many children were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ using Flannelgraph stories, a method of conveying information visually.
  
  
• 1970s - TV Magic: Fred Rogers brought the magic of felt boards to life on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" to illustrate stories and concepts creatively. In Episode 1280, which aired on March 16, 1973, Mister Rogers introduced a collapsible felt board. He used it at the kitchen table to create colorful designs, showing how felt shapes could be arranged to resemble objects like houses and boats​.
  
  Years later, in Episode 1764, which aired on August 30, 2001, Mister Rogers used sticky felt pieces to create unique artwork, emphasizing that everyone's creations are different, showcasing individual imagination​. These episodes exemplify the enduring influence and versatility of felt board storytelling in educational settings.
  
  
• 1980s - Educational Retail: Felt boards became accessible through catalogs and specialty stores like Lakeshore Learning.
  
  
• 1990s - Libraries: Public libraries incorporated felt boards into storytelling sessions to support early literacy.
  
  
• 2000s - Online Marketplaces: Felt boards became widely available on platforms like Amazon and Etsy. With technological advancements, the process of cutting and printing on felt has become more sophisticated, allowing mom-and-pop stores to thrive in these marketplaces.
  
  
• 2007 - Playtime Felts: We kicked off our felt story journey by offering Betty Lukens flannel board sets and Little Folk Visuals felt board sets on Amazon. By 2014, we decided to take things up a notch and spread our wings! We developed our own unique, teacher-friendly product line of short stories for kids, featuring Educlips' famous clip art. Plus, we’re proud to say our products are made right here in the USA. It's been an exciting adventure, creating one-of-a-kind storytelling experiences for classrooms everywhere!
  
  
• 2024 - Printable DIY Felt Board Templates: Playtime Felts is stepping up its game with a talented new artist bringing fresh creativity to felt board stories. Stay tuned by joining our subscriber list. Be sure to subscribe to get 1st Dibs for exclusive first access!

Why Should I Choose Felt Board Stories for Story Time?

Besides being super fun and cute, felt board stories have numerous educational benefits. Our Playtime Felts stories come with precut pieces, eliminating the need for scissors, and they stick to flannel boards without Velcro, thanks to our thick, high-quality felt. Each set includes a fun story script and a storage bag, making it a complete story time kit.

What Are the Educational Benefits of Felt Boards?

Felt boards are more than just fun; they offer numerous educational benefits:

• Language Development: By telling stories and describing scenes, children enhance their vocabulary and language skills.
• Fine Motor Skills: Manipulating small felt pieces helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Creativity and Imagination: Felt boards encourage children to use their imagination and creativity to build stories and scenarios.
• Interactive Learning: They provide a hands-on, interactive learning experience that keeps children engaged and interested.

Can I Use These Felt Board Stories in a Classroom Setting?

Absolutely! Our felt board stories are a fantastic addition to any classroom. They're perfect for story time and promote language development, fine motor skills, and imaginative play. Plus, our pre-k printables align with Common Core Standards, making it easy to integrate them into your lesson plans. Here’s how they fit into key early learning goals:

Preschool (Pre-K):

1. Language Development:
   • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.PK.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about preschool topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
   • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.PK.2: Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details.
2. Literacy:
   • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.PK.1: Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
3. Mathematics:
   • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.CC.PK.1: Count to 20 and represent a number of objects with a written numeral 0–5 (with 0 representing a count of no objects).

Kindergarten:

1. Reading and Literacy:
   • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1: With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
   • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2: With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.
2. Speaking and Listening:
   • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
   • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2: Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details.
3. Mathematics:
   • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.1: Count to 100 by ones and by tens.
   • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.B.4: Understand the relationship between numbers and quantities; connect counting to cardinality.

By using felt board stories, you can effortlessly support these standards while creating a fun and engaging learning environment. Turn story time into a comprehensive educational experience that fosters critical early learning skills. Join the fun and watch your students thrive!

How Do I Care for My Felt Board Story Set?

Taking care of your felt board story set is a breeze. Just hand wash the felt pieces with mild soap and water, let them air dry, and they’ll be ready for more magical story times. One advantage of felt pieces is that they don't rip and there's no need for lamination. Playtime Felts are truly vibrant in color and thicker than any other storytime felts out there. When you use them, you’ll feel the difference in quality and durability, ensuring a delightful storytelling experience for generations to come.

How Can I Make My Own Felt Board Stories?

Love DIY projects? You’re in the right place! This is a topic rich with creativity and possibilities. We’ll be diving deep into DIY felt board stories in our upcoming blog posts, so stay tuned for more tips, tutorials, and inspiration!

What Do Customers Say About Playtime Felts?

We love hearing from our happy customers! Here are a few testimonials from our Amazon store:

• "My preschoolers are obsessed with the felt board stories from Playtime Felts! The quality is top-notch, and the kids love the vibrant colors and fun characters." - Jessica T.
• "The felt board sets are perfect for my classroom. They are durable, easy to use, and the kids can't get enough of them!" - Mrs. Anderson, Kindergarten Teacher
• "I bought a set for my nephew, and he plays with it every day. It's amazing to see him so engaged and imaginative." - Sarah L.

Are There Any Special Offers or New Products?

We’re always excited to introduce new products and special offers! Check out our Felt Board Stories for Sale on our website and take advantage of our ongoing promotions:

• Bundle Three for 10% Savings: Explore our latest themed felt board sets, including seasonal and holiday collections.
• Special Offers: Sign up to get 1st Dibs on printable FREEBIES on Friday, felt set discounts, felt board story ideas, and peppy emails. We don't send junk. Feel free to cancel anytime.

How Can I Start Using a Felt Board?

Getting started is easy! Purchase pre-made boards and felt sets from Playtime Felts or make your own with simple materials. Start bringing stories to life today!

But wait, there's more! To make the most out of your felt board, why not explore our themed sets designed to align perfectly with what you're planning to teach in preschool? Our themed sets cover a wide range of topics and seasons, making it easy to integrate them into your curriculum. Here’s how you can match our themes with your lessons:

• Alphabet and Numbers: Introduce early literacy and numeracy with our ABC and 123 felt sets. Perfect for letter recognition and counting exercises.
• Seasonal Themes: Explore our fall, winter, spring, and summer sets to bring a seasonal touch to your storytelling and thematic units.
• Animals and Nature: Our animal and nature-themed sets are great for lessons on wildlife, habitats, and environmental awareness.
• Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes: Bring classic stories and rhymes to life, enhancing language skills and cultural literacy.

Each set comes with story scripts and activity ideas, ensuring that you can seamlessly integrate them into your lesson plans. Ready to explore? Visit our preschool themes and literacy centers felt board ideas to find the perfect match for your next educational adventure!

Happy storytelling❣️
Adela O.

About the Author: Hey, Adela here. I'm passionate about creating engaging and educational content for preschoolers. As a mom of three, I've homeschooled my precious little ones (now semi-adults) and loved watching them absorb and learn both concrete and abstract concepts during those school years. ------ Now that I have more time, I'm dedicated to writing a bare-bones blog about the unsung hero of felt board stories. When I'm not writing, I'm cutting felts. When I'm not doing that, I'm creating memorable life stories with my husband and our kiddos: one who's now married (psst...to the best son-in-law ever), one in college, and one about to graduate high school. As my dad would say... "Life is Good!" Here's the icing... the married one freelances with Playtime Felts. You'll see her artwork coming soon!

Join me on this exciting journey of felt board storytelling! Subscribe to get first dibs on the latest stories, DIY felt board ideas, and tips to make learning fun and interactive for your kids. Don't miss out—I’d love to share this journey with you. Sign up today and unlock a world of creativity and education!

Here's an idea that's quick & easy...

It’s the Reigning Combo of Joy!

Few things ignite the imagination quite like a felt board in creative play. From storytelling to educational activities, these versatile tools offer endless possibilities for fun and learning. But with so many options available, which one reigns supreme? Enter the board and easel combo with a felt backdrop—the unsung hero of the felt storyboard world. Say goodbye to small felt board setups with large board and easel felt scenes. No glue. No staples. No work. Let’s dive into why this setup might be the easiest and most delightful option.

Magic of the Board and Easel Felt Combo

Picture this: a tall, sturdy easel adorned with a look-alike, sleek, and chic
Black Chalkboard felt background. This giant easel offers 21” x 22” storyboard space, a trusty board ready to display your opening scene of fuzzy felt characters. This teaching setup provides the perfect blend of stability and versatility, making it ideal for solo play and group activities.

Stability with Slant

One of the key advantages of the board and easel combo is its stability. If you already have one in your classroom, use it immediately as a storyboard display. The easel provides a slanted, sturdy foundation, ensuring your creations stay put even during the most enthusiastic storytelling sessions. Felt pieces adhere to the felt board through friction and good ole static electricity between those fuzzy fibers. Since gravity plays a role in everyone’s felt story, having a slight slant on your board helps. Plus, the durable construction of the frame means it can withstand the rigors of playtime, ensuring years of enjoyment, and can make a “Felt Board Story Center” in your classroom. (hint, hint)

Adjustable Height

Not all felt story enthusiasts come in the same size, which is why the easel’s adjustable height feature is a game-changer. I’ve seen adjustable boards and easels up to 48” high, just right for toddlers, preschoolers, and even kindergartners. Whether you’re a towering storyteller or a pint-sized volunteer, you can easily customize the height to suit your needs and your participating audience, ensuring comfortable play for everyone involved.

Portable Felt Board Play

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Say goodbye to feeling tied down to one spot. This combo felt board easel idea lets you take your felt adventures anywhere. Simply fold up the easel, pack away your felt pieces and felt background, and you’re ready for playtime on the go. I’ve done this many times when teaching at my homeschool co-op. Despite its size, it is entirely feasible to handle because the one I use is light weight. My class loved it, and most likely, so will yours. Whether it’s circle time, library storytime, or a playdate at a friend’s house, this DIY felt board easel idea makes it portable to bring felt board play wherever you roam.

The Joy of Felt Creations

Now that I’ve sung the praises of my board and easel felt combo idea, here's a bonus, let’s talk about the real stars of the show: the felt creations themselves. While commercial options offered by us here at Playtime Felts are undoubtedly convenient, there’s something special about crafting your own felt characters. Here are a few quick felt story ideas to get you started:

Storybook Images & Scenes

Bring your favorite stories to life with homemade felt board figures. The possibilities are endless, whether it’s magical clouds like in the book “It Looked Like Spilt Milk” or colorful animals in “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?”. You can find plenty of free printable story patterns on the internet. And just so you know, we’re also planning to make our own printable felt story patterns. If you haven’t signed up for our Get 1st Dibs, please do; I’d love to have you in the loop for the upcoming FREEBIE Friday goodies and new printable patterns we’ll share. 

Getting back to the subject, cut out felt pieces in “profile view” to depict story characters in action because the profile view lends itself to imagining the dialogue. Felt figures that face each other not only help children find them easier to recognize but also appear to be having a conversation. If you line them up end to end, well, they seem to be walking in processions. That’s icing on the storytime cake!

Animal Adventures

Felt animals, felt animals, felt animals... Create a menagerie of felt animals for endless imaginative play. Kids love them! From farmyard friends to exotic jungle creatures, crafting your felt animals is fun and rewarding for kids and adults alike. Add details like googly eyes or embroidery for extra personality, and watch as your fuzzy felt zoo comes to life.

Alphabet Felt Play

I am passionate about literacy. Despite not being taught phonics in my youth, I now find learning the patterns of the English language enjoyable. Do you remember the Whole-word Approach in the mid-70s? Yep, that’s a doozy philosophy and a mega-flop for me as a child, but I digress. I’ll leave that exciting story for another time, so back to fuzzy-felt feelings. 

You can transform playtime into learning with homemade felt alphabet shapes. Cut out letters of the alphabet from colorful felt: blue for vowels and red for consonants. Arrange them on the felt board to create a bottom-up method of phonics or piece together complete words to mix the sounds. Teaching depends on the skill level of your felt board audience. Two to four-letter words work best for preschool and kindergarten. These are fun and interactive ways to reinforce early literacy skills.

Oh Yeah, so about Playtime Felts... I hope It Will Become
Your Felt Board Idea Headquarters

While homemade felt boards offer a personal touch, sometimes you just need the convenience of ready-made options. That’s where we come in❣️
With a wide selection of high-quality felt board stories, DIY felt board and easel scenes, and preschool printable activities, we’re your growing one-stop shop for all things felt story-ish. Our commitment to lasting durability shines through in every felt set we offer.

Whether you opt for the ease of premade felt board sets or the DIY approach of homemade creations, one thing’s sure: a felt board is a timeless tool for imaginative play. So gather your felt pieces, set up your board and easel, and let the storytelling begin. The only limit is your imagination.

So there you have it: The board and easel combo with felt backgrounds offers the perfect blend of stability, versatility, and portability for endless hours of creative play. If you already have one in your classroom, please use it. Your little ones will love it. If you’re considering this option, you won’t go wrong. And while our premade options are convenient, don’t underestimate the joy of crafting your felt creations. With a bit of creative power and a colorful bundle of felt, the possibilities are truly endless. Now’s the time to let your inspiration soar!

Happy storytelling❣️
Adela O.
Playtime Felts