Happy New Year! Who’s making resolutions? We’re sorting through ours today (Sherry loves a list), but for now let’s focus on what we made right before the holidays: a homemade latch board for Clara. It wasn’t the only DIY gift she opened—there was also a play fridge—but this latch board was a last-minute Santa “elf” project that turned out to be a big hit. Here’s the full story and how we put it together.

We first heard about latch boards when Clara’s cousin Elsa got one last year. Kids seem to have a natural urge to turn, twist, and flip anything that moves, and latch boards tap into that perfectly. We waited until Clara had developed enough fine motor skills to get enjoyment out of it without getting frustrated, then decided to build one ourselves.

To gather materials we visited our favorite local hardware spot, a sort of grown-up candy store full of old skeleton keys, latches, knobs, and other finds. It’s ideal for creative projects like this. We came home with a variety of pieces—hinges, window latches, door bolts, drawer pulls, and a couple of decorative carabiners—and laid everything out to see what would work best. We didn’t use everything; some items felt redundant, and we wanted to keep the board a manageable size.

The first mock-up used a scrap piece of plywood to determine the layout and dimensions. For the finished board we needed something a bit thicker so screws wouldn’t poke through the bottom and scratch the floor. I found spare 1×4 and 1×3 boards in the basement and joined them together with my Kreg jig. That approach gave the board a slightly weathered, authentic look that matched other pieces in our house, and it also saved us a trip to the store. If you prefer, you can have a single board cut to size at a home center to simplify the build.

Once the boards were joined, I waited to cut them to the final length until everything was aligned, then made a single clean cut on the table saw for an even edge. The finished piece was a 12″ x 12″ square, and I sanded the edges and corners to make them rounder and safer for small hands.

We added some simple finishing touches to make the board more visually interesting. I taped off the edges and applied a Dark Mahogany stain to the top, distressing the surface slightly beforehand to give it a worn look. After the stain dried, I removed the tape and primed the edges, then painted them with a cheerful Citron color we had left over from another project. To ensure an even finish I brushed the paint along the edge and then rolled over it with a small foam roller.

When the paint was dry, Sherry applied a coat of low-VOC, non-toxic polyurethane for durability and to make the surface easier to clean. Once the topcoat had cured, it was time to attach the hardware. This happened about 40 hours before Christmas morning, so we were racing the clock. We swapped out a couple of small hinges for one larger hinge at the last minute and picked it up the next day.

All told, the project cost about $35. That’s a bit more than some store-bought versions, mainly because we splurged on two decorative carabiners and a locking window latch. Those decorative pieces were Clara’s favorite parts, though, so it felt worth it.

Quick update: The board has been used for a week and Clara has been dragging it around without issue. It’s about the same weight as her wooden puzzles, and we didn’t see any pinched fingers. We intentionally chose external, smooth-edged latches and hinges rather than internal door or cabinet locks to keep things safe. Several teachers have told us these kinds of boards are staples in early childhood classrooms because they engage children and help develop fine motor skills.

We filmed a short clip of Clara opening the latch board on Christmas morning and loved her reaction—that delighted “Oh wow, man” that makes handmade projects worthwhile.

If you’re thinking about making a latch board for your toddler: choose smooth, child-safe hardware, keep the board size manageable, and finish the surface with a non-toxic sealer. The project is flexible, low-cost if you don’t splurge on decorative pieces, and it’s a great way to encourage fine motor development. Have you made one or found a favorite hardware shop to browse like a kid in a candy store?