Easy DIY LEGO Walls – No Caulk or Glue Needed
We live in a house in the city, so it's big enough but not huge. That's one of the reasons I like to try to find ways to make play things for the kids that are non-permanent. This inspired me to share a tutorial for how to make non-permanent, removable LEGO Walls.
I love non-permanent ideas for the kids! For example I would love to have a gorgeous light table out for the kids. However, I'd rather have something that I can put away when company comes over, so we made a DIY Light Box.
I included some alternate ideas as well if you don't want to do it the same way we did! (Note: This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.)
We were using our easel outside the other day, and I thought what a great base it would be for other vertical play surfaces.
Taking something horizontal that your child uses regularly and turning it vertical offers new challenges to the muscles of their hands and arms. It also changes up the orientation of the activity to challenge their visual motor skills.
If you would like to take your Duplo or LEGO building and turn it vertical, here is how you can do it! Alternatives are at the bottom.
Related: 30 Awesome Kid Hacks, How to Make a LEGO Camping Lantern, 20 Cool LEGO Gifts to Make
DIY LEGO Walls Materials
- Duplo Base Plate or LEGO Extra Large Base Plate
- Bungee cords (we used mini 10 inch ones) See alternatives below
- Drill
- Easel (We used our super affordable Ikea Easel)
Alternative Material: Self Stick, Trimmable Base Plates
DIY LEGO Walls Directions
Prep the base plate: Using a drill bit that is slightly larger than the width of the bungee cord hook, drill holes in 2-4 corners of your base plate. This just depends on if you plan to attach it on 2 corners or all four.
Attach the base plate: Using the bungee cords, hook one side in one hole and wrap it over the top, around the side, and back to the same hole to attach it. Repeat with the other top corner and then attach the bottom two corners similarly around the bottom edge of the easel board, if desired.
You can also make this double sided if you have more than one child. Simply use another base plate and attach it the same way, or you can try various configurations with the bungee cords to attach them to each other. That would cut down on the number of cords you would need.
Related: Free Printable LEGO Challenge Cards
Alternative DIY LEGO Wall Ideas
If you don't want to use bungee cords you can try a couple of other options:
You can tie the base plates onto your easel with heavy twine.
You can also attach 3M Wire Command Hooks or Clips to your easel, depending on the surface of your easel, or to your walls. These have special double sided adhesive that can be removed without damaging most surfaces. The best way to do that would be to attach the command strip to your wall, press on the wire hook and hang the base plate on the hooks using the drilled holes.
If you are not concerned about removing them you can attach them directly to your walls more permanently with screws or without.
LEGO Week
This is part of a week long celebration of all things LEGO over at Toddler Approved. She and a group of us bloggers will be sharing LEGO ideas on our blogs and Facebook Pages all week long!
Are you a big LEGO fan? Do you have a LEGO wall? What are your favorite LEGO Activities? Let's hear about it in the comments below!
Looks fantastic!
I love the idea of attaching it to an easel!
Hmm. I often tape clear contact paper with the sticky side out for my toddler class to stick things to. I wonder if it would be strong enough to hold the base plate. I’ll have to try it. Thanks for a great idea!
Oooooh nice idea! It changes things completely to have the base plate vertical, too!
That looks cool I will try it
Hope you liked it!
Hi, Laura! I’m enjoying your blog – great ideas and beautiful photos! I’m creating a digital magazine for teachers and I would like to include your photo of the Lego wall along with a link to the blog post. I’m trying to finish this issue today (sorry for the late notice!). If I don’t hear from you by today, maybe it could be included in the next issue (it’s quarterly). Thank you!
~Melissa
What a great idea! I used the itty bitty 3M Command Velcro Picture Hangers to hang the Lego baseplate. I didn’t have a drill. It’s not completely flush, but it will work for now. Thank you!
I’ve been an early childhood educator for over 30 years and never thought of using the big easel this way!!! I can’t wait for tomorrow! Thank you!