Make a DIY Magnetic Board for a Stainless Steel Fridge in minutes with this easy tutorial.
Today I’m sharing a project I promised on Instagram a few weeks ago: how to make a DIY magnetic board for a stainless steel fridge to use as a play area for your little one, a menu planner, organization center – really whatever you want!
Lincoln’s at an age (19 mo) where he wants to be with either Ben or me pretty much all the time, so it can be challenging to get dinner made, for example, when he’s tugging on my pant leg every minute. I’ve filled a few drawers with funnels, towels, plastic spoons, and strainers that keep him occupied for a bit, but was craving a magnet board for the front of the fridge to not only keep him busy but give him an opportunity to learn something too. Only problem is that we’ve got a stainless steel fridge which isn’t magnetic!
Determined to find a way to make this happen, I headed to Lowe’s and within 5 minutes of searching I had my solution.
Materials Needed:
I was searching for sheets of magnet board to cut with tin snips to fit the fridge doors when I stumbled upon these pre-cut MD Magnetic Chalkboards that were the perfect fit. Bonus: they’re chalk friendly, too!
I bought two boards plus two boxes of medium command picture hanging strips that hold up to 12lbs. I knew the magnets I was going to buy wouldn’t be heavier than a pound or two, and the boards themselves are pretty light. All I had to do was attach a pair of strips to each corner of the magnet boards, then peel off the back and stick the whole kit and kaboodle onto the fridge.
Next I bought the magnets. I found the cutest Doug and Melissa ABC magnets and Doug and Melissa Animal magnets at Target. As you can see we’re already missing a few letters as Lincoln loves squirreling things away – I’m always finding odd things in random places!
What I’m really excited about though is finally having a home for our LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnet Letter Set. My Mom bought one of these at Kohls several years ago and the grandchildren go nuts for it. It plays a catchy little song for each letter while sounding it out, which seriously works wonders. I’ll ask Lincoln what sound “B” makes, for instance, and he’ll say “buh buh buh”. I’d like to say I taught him that, but nope – all LeapFrog!
I also need to tell you I finally found a stainless steel cleaner I love – this sprayable Weiman Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish. Before I was using wipes, which just weren’t working. With this spray I can use as much or as little as I want and it’s completely streak free.
Have fun!
Sounds you had a wonderful trip. Great magnetic board. We all love magnets at home.
I’m super jealous of your trip! I could definitely use some warmth and sunshine – over this wintry weather!
Buy a book called Tray Tasking- it’s perfect for your little guy. The activities will keep him busy, learning, so mom can get a few things done!
Hola, Amiga! So glad to hear that you had a great trip! I just wanted to say, sometimes I read comments made by others and they just irk me to say the least. I enjoy reading about YOUR joys and hobbies- and I love watching you grow and change over the years. Your blog is perfect and fitting to you! XO
I’ve given up on clean stainless but I’m willing to try something new – thanks for the recommendation! That Leapfrog alphabet set is the bomb. I have a similar handheld one that is responsible for my 2.5 year old learning the alphabet so quickly (on the way to and from daycare, hooray!).
Baby oil on a paper towel is all you need to clean stainless steel. It looks brand new afterwards!
We have the same issue with our now 18month old pulling at our legs, wanting to be held while I’m trying to cook dinner! My husband built him an activity/learning tower so now he is my little sous chef! We love it! http://www.ikeahackers.net/2013/03/lucys-learning-tower.html
We also recently moved into a new home and I’m getting accustomed to granite counter tops and stainless. What was it that you used on your granite? I remember it was something clean, not so chemical-ly, so that Lincoln could nibble off the counter.
I’m totally looking into that leapfrog phonics set. Thanks!
Ahh – this is amazing!! Yes, he wants to be up at my level seeing what’s going on, but I obviously can’t watch him on a chair and cook at the same time. Totally picking one of these up the next time I head to IKEA. Thanks!
Hi Kristin! I love this idea for the fridge! Do you know if the strips and/or the boards will damage the front of your fridge when they are removed? Thanks!
The command strips say they’re stainless steel safe, and the boards don’t touch the fridge so that’s why I went for it!
Do you still have the boards on your fridge ? I want to do this but I’m worried the strips will wreck the fridge when removed
We have since moved and the strips left very faint marks when removed.
I LOVE this ide! I would recommend doing some research on the Melissa & Doug toys. One of the reviews on the letter set talked about lead content and when I did some more digging online, there were a couple of articles talking about this. Not saying it is true but worth the time to research and determine what you would want to do.
Will do – thanks for letting me know!
Love it!! Luckily we have one side of our fridge open so Lucas can play on that one (which is magnetic) but I’m totally keeping this in mind if we need some magnetic space in the front down the road! :)
I’ll tell you the easiest stainless steel cleaner….baby oil! Wipe it on a paper towel and BOOM, your stainless steel looks as good as it did the day you bought it. That’s the only thing I use now. Love following your blog.
Hey Kristen! I’ve been searching high and low for a nice pair of jean shorts (not too short, not to momish) and can’t find anything I like. I love the ones you’re wearing in your pic from your trip. What brand are they?
Old Navy! They have 3″, 5″ and 7″ shorts – the 3 and 7 are way too short/long but the 5″ are just right!
Awesome – thanks for letting me know!
I have to say our little guy (who is now 13!) loved the leapfrog letters too. He was also in love with the leap frog letter factory and talking words factory videos (I don’t know if those are still around anymore). When he was 2 we were flying to Hawaii and those were the only videos he wanted to watch the whole trip!
can you do a post about how you started working out again? You used to post more of that we miss it!
I agree! And your meal plan tab is not updated, at least last I checked. I always enjoyed that feature of your blog!
Hey Sam! At this point in my life working out isn’t something I spend a lot of time doing (unfortunately!) so there’s not much to tell. If/when that becomes a bigger priority for me in the future I’ll definitely start reposting about it. Thanks for letting me know what you’re looking for here at IGE!
I think you look great and appreciate your honesty here! I have a 10 month old and feel the same way about working out. However, carrying around a ~20 lber counts for something, right?