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Add Fun to Kids Decor
With a Giant Magnetic Wall
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Help Kids Learn with a Giant Magnetic Wall
The right paint job can turn kids decor into an
educational tool. Magnetic paint can turn an ordinary wall
into a magnetic board, which kids can use to play with
magnetic letters, numbers and geometrical shapes. Studies
have shown that kids learn best when lessons are tactile and
fun. A Magnetic Board gives kids the opportunity to touch
the letters that make up words, or move the numbers around
which combine into mathematical equations.
This kids decor idea is as easy to create as applying paint,
nor will it alter your overall decor, for the magnetic
painted surface will look identical to your other
walls. And that’s part of the magic of this magnetic board.
Kids will be sticking magnets on a surface that looks like a
boring old wall, but is actually covered in an invisible
layer of magnetic paint.
Step #1.
Prep Work
Before you apply the magnetic paint primer to the wall, you
should make sure the wall is clean and smooth. Using a
bucket of soapy water and a sponge, clean the wall and let
it dry. If the wall is rough, you can sand it first.
Step #2.
Tape Off
Depending on your existing kids decor, decide how big an
area you wish to cover in magnetic paint primer. You’ll want
to mark the wall with a pencil, but be sure to use a
measuring tape to get even results all around.
Just measure
from the floor for the bottom outline of the magnetic board,
and from the ceiling for the top, then connect the dots.
Finally, apply a wide strip of painter’s tape over the line,
to protect the wall beyond. Remember to fit the height of
the magnetic board to the kids who will be using it.
Step #3.
Magnetic Paint
Before you start, mix the
magnetic paint primer
thoroughly until it is a smooth,
dark gray. Continue mixing as you paint the wall with a thin
layer of magnetic paint primer. Let the first coat dry for
30 minutes and apply a second coat. For best results, apply
a total of three thin coats of the magnetic paint primer.
Step #4.
Kids Decor Paint
After 4 to 5 hours the magnetic paint primer should
be dry. Now, depending on
your kids decor, apply a topcoat of latex paint in the color
of your choice. You can match the other walls exactly, for a
fun illusion of one magnetic wall, or highlight the magnetic
board with a different color.
Step #5.
Fun Magnets
Take the kids on a fun magnet shopping spree at your local
toy store, or shop online by googling: Kids Magnets or
visiting Toys R Us. Then, depending on your existing kids
decor, choose a box to hold the magnets and hang it on the
wall at a comfortable height for kids to reach. It’s best if
the box has compartments for keeping the types of magnets
separate. Alternatively, you can use a set of smaller boxes
and hang them in a line.
Questions? Comments?
Drop me a line.
Reference:
Rust-Oleum Paint Ideas’ article,
Magnetic Attraction.
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