Lacing Cards -- Buy or DIY!

I love Eric Carle illustrations -- in fact, I've been to the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts -- so this set of animal lacing cards caught my eye. The box has 10 cards measuring 6.5 by 5.25 inches and 10 brightly colored laces to attract little ones' eyes. And at the same time, of course, lacing helps children develop all kinds of skills, including sequencing, dexterity, coordination, and fine motor skills.

Of course, this is something that you could easily make yourself for less! You could use extra sturdy cardstock or cardboard, and stamp them with fun images or even just paint or draw. You can look in the dollar store for inexpensive colored shoelaces. You could even put a set of cards with the laces in a store-bought or handmade drawstring bag. The images could even be photographs that you've taken of your kids or pets. The possibilities are endless!

And you know what? I'm just now having a flashback.... I'm pretty sure my mom made lacing cards for us out of recycled Christmas cards at one point!

What: Lacing Cards
Where: Chinaberry or DIY!
How much (as of today's post): $14.95 (plus shipping)