I love to fold laundry like I love chocolate covered worms (pardon me while I puke.)
I’m a laundry hater and my folding skills are sub-par. I needed a DIY folding board.
I used to have a nice big pool table that served as “folding table,” dresser, closet, and general keeper of all fabric items in our house.
We ended up selling it when we moved so I have laundry baskets in the living room holding the clean laundry until I decide to fold them (never).
Then something magical happened. I looked high and low for actionable advice on getting kids to help with laundry but never found anything! So I made a kids diy shirt folder. This is a laundry life saver! My life was changed.
My kids gained the ability to follow simple instructions. And ta-dah! A portion of the laundry became their responsibility. They do it perfectly…because I made them DIY kid-sized shirt folding boards. My kids fold laundry like retail store employees and we all love it.
Easy Folding Board DIY
I came up with a cheap method because kids grow (and grow) and easy because I like easy. By the time they’ve beaten the boards up, it will be time to make a slightly larger version. (updated: these boards lasted us 4 years.)
First I bought two foam core boards, grabbed scissors, an x-Acto knife, pencil, yardstick, and got fancy printed duck tape (with coupons–because I said cheap). I made two so they would not fight over one and I used the fancy tape to entice them to like it.
I took the foam board, which is 20″ by 30″ and cut 8″ off of the long end ending up with a piece 22″ by 20″. This part is “adjusted” to fit toddler through first grade sized clothing.
The important thing to remember is that the two flaps must be equal in width. Above I show the pieces marked and labeled (on the back side) for you to see.
(My son was staring at me like, “What is going on here?”)
Then I used the craft knife and the scissors to cut along the lines.
I flipped over the pieces and fit them back together. (You don’t have to label the backsides of the one you make!)
After I was done, I realized that it wasn’t clear how I taped the bottom flap on so I took a photo of Pea’s folding board to show this part. (She prefers Hello Kitty to Star Wars–How is she my child??? Star Wars fan for life here!)
The key is that the side flaps and the bottom flap must be able to fold. The tape is the “hinge”.
Shirt folding board for her.
Shirt folding board for him.
Lay the shirt the flap with the front down. “Nice and smooth,” as Pork Chop likes to say. (Can you guess how long the clean laundry was in the basket before I made these folding boards by how wrinkled this shirt is?)
Fold one flap and the shirt over and then fold the other flap and shirt over.
Bring the flaps (without the shirt) back flat.
Then fold up the bottom flap and shirt. Bring the bottom flap back down without the shirt.
Look who folds his own shirts like a professional!
Epic WIN for me!!!
All in all, this was a super simple and cheap project that helps make folding kids’ shirts a little more fun and a whole lot tidier! So grab some tape and foam board or cardboard (which I used last time (and lasted a year) and let your young kids fold the laundry while you sip on some coffee!
Folding laundry is a true life skill that kids need to know!
Want to keep up the laundry learning fun? Check out these free laundry learning activities for preschoolers from 3 Boys and A Dog.
Don’t have time to make it? Amazon has you covered right here.
Lynn says
This is fantastic! I’m making one for each grandchild. (Actually, these may be considered gifts for my daughter. Lol.)
Was the 10ft. roll of duct tape enough for one ? I want to tape the outer edges. Will I need another roll of tape?
Thanks for the terrific instructions!
Super Mom - No Cape! says
Such a great idea!
When hubby and I were raising our children, they learned how to help with laundry at a very young age. We had a divided laundry hamper and they sorted their dirty clothes into the different sections of the hamper each night. They also each had their own laundry basket (a different color for each child.) I folded the laundry out of the dryer into the baskets and it was their responsibility to put their clothes away and return the laundry basket to the laundry room.
Herchel says
I am terrible at folding the clothes right out of the dryer!
Christina @There's Just One Mommy says
Oh my goodness, this is brilliant! How have I not seen this everywhere on PInterest until today? Definitely pinning, sharing, and making my own this week!
Laura says
Hi Herchel,
I used a commercial brand of this folding board when I worked at Bealls a few years back! 😮
And it really was fun…Im going to show your way of making one for a kid to my daughter who has the 5 and 7 year old ! And the newborn due anyday now!!! Although I doubt the newbie can participate – LOL
See you in Micro…..Laura 🙂 Love your website:)
Herchel says
It only takes minutes to make but will save her so much time on her laundry, especially with the newborn on the way. Congratulations and thanks!
Kim says
How clever! This is awesome….now to get them to keep it folded while putting away. Thanks for linking this up at Made for Kids link party!
Kim recently posted…Thankful Turkey Kid Craft and Book
Rebecca says
What a great idea. My kids have a hard time putting away their clothes. Maybe if they could fold them easier, that would help. We’ll be trying this soon. Thanks!
Emma says
This is genius! I’d want to use this to fold shirts, too! Thanks for sharing at the Thoughtful Spot!
Emma recently posted…Cutest and Easiest Turkey Crafts for Kids
Herchel says
It’s makes folding shirts less boring 🙂
Kathy says
Love this idea! This is happening this week…. Thank you for sharing!
Herchel says
Thanks Kathy! Let me know how it works for you guys.
Echo says
Hahahaha, my son is going to hate this and I will love and revel in it!
Echo recently posted…What’s The Deal With Cartoons These Days?!
jenni cook says
so how do you make one of those for adults? cause i seriously suck at folding clothes.
Herchel says
I use the same one to fold my clothes lol. You could use a larger board and just add about 1 or 2 inches in width to all the pieces though. It makes folding faster but it hasn’t helped me actually be motivated to fold. :/
Cindy Howell says
Oh wow! I’m all in favor of cutting my laundry time and finding a way for my children to help. This is awesome. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing at this week’s Super Saturday Afternoon Tea!
Cindy Howell recently posted…Super Saturday Afternoon Tea Link-Up #7
Michelle @ The MaMade Diaries says
This is SUCH a good idea!! I think I’m going to have to make one of these for Eli when he gets a little older. Thanks so much for linking it up at the MaMade Blog Hop! Don’t forget to stop back again next week to link up and see if you were featured! 🙂
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Katelyn says
Oh my gosh this is genius! I used to work in retail and we used those folding tables. I never thought much about making my own, and yours even comes with a bottom flat! I love it! Totally pinning this.
Thanks for linking up to the How do you do it? Parenting Link up!
Katelyn recently posted…What’s up Fagans? Fridays
Adrian says
My son found a video on YouTube about Japanese T-shirt folding when he was about that age. That got him on the band wagon and he’s done his own laundry ever since. He doesn’t do a great job of it, but he does do it and that’s what counts. #SITSSharefest
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Herchel says
That sounds interesting Adrian. Japanese shirt folding? I will need to google it.
Nicole says
Awesome idea! Sadly, in our house, all the shirts are hung in the closet (actually, it’s not too bad because the kids can hang up their own stuff.) I need to figure out how to do this with pants! Pinning this!
Nicole recently posted…Jared Muses: My Trip to Lowe’s
Herchel says
Thanks Nicole!
Whitney says
This is such a great idea! Glad you found my blog so I could come over and check yours out! I wanted to let you know also that I would love to button swap with you and added your button to my blog this morning:)
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Herchel says
Awesome, Whitney! I love your blog 🙂
Jen @ Cuddles and Chaos says
Um, hello, this is brilliant. My seven year old will eat this shit up— AND it’s cheap AND it saves my precious time? You, my friend, are my new hero!
Jen @ Cuddles and Chaos recently posted…Sponsored | Just Dance Kids 2014 Review
Herchel says
Thank you, Jen!
Sadia says
Genius!! My solution to having the kids put the clothes away is this: I am responsible for washing, drying and folding clothes that make it into the laundry hamper. The kids are responsible for putting clothes away, getting dressed and undressed, and putting clothes in the hamper. I do not answer questions about where an item of clothing is. That’s their problem. If the putting away burden is too great, they can thin out their clothing collection by donating things.
My girls can earn a quarter by helping me fold laundry. They liked to stick to pants and towels, but I bet this sort of a folding board would extend their folding repertoire.
Visiting form the HDYDI Parenting Blog Hop!!
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Herchel says
That’s a great system, Sadie. I think I will adopt it. 🙂 Mine will only do the shirts. It takes them way too long to fold anything else and my son is a little OCD about getting this perfect and straight when folding. The board helps keep him from breaking down in a tantrum because it isn’t neat and smooth.
Tamara says
My husband worked for Star Wars out in California and my daughter prefers princesses. What is she thinking?!
I used to be an innkeeper at a bed & breakfast and I wish I had bookmarked this post then. We mostly did sheets and towels, but clothes too!
Tamara recently posted…That Time I’m Certain My Life Was In Danger..
Herchel says
My daughter wanted to be Princess Leia for Halloween for all of three minutes. Then she say a “butterfly princess” costume and fell in love. Yet still chose to wear one of her dress up dresses with a floppy hat on actual Halloween day and called herself a Fashionista Princess lol.
Heather says
This is a great idea. My oldest daughter is much older (14) than your kids, but she hates folding t-shirts because she never gets them just right. I just couldn’t see buying one of those folding kits, but this is perfect! Thanks!
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Herchel says
I confess. The first one I made was for me! I used a science project display board that I had to cut to size. I hate folding laundry and am pretty bad at folding shirts without the board lol.
Beth says
OMG! First, I stopped by from Bloggy Moms December Link Up, so hello! Second, not only am I coming back to visit, I am totally doing this idea! My Biggest has recently started helping with chores, I hate laundry, and this… is going to make laundry awesome. 😀
Herchel says
Hi! Let me know how it goes :). My kids see it as something fun and not really a chore which is a win win for me.
Beth says
I certainly will, he hasn’t figured out yet that chores aren’t supposed to be fun, so the longer I can convince him that it IS fun, the better 😀
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Rabia @TheLiebers says
Pure genius!! Now how do you make them put it away!?! LOL!
Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted…Grandma’s Icebox Pecan Cookies {Recipe}
Herchel says
I do that part still. Maybe next year I can get him to do it neatly
Ria says
Such a wonderful idea. Now, I just need to borrow a kid or two for laundry day.
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Herchel says
Want mine? I kid…I kid 🙂
Sandy Sandmeyer says
How clever! Now if YOUR kids would come fold MY laundry, I’d be a happy girl. 😉
Sandy Sandmeyer recently posted…Patience: Day 333
Herchel says
My younger one isn’t quite as easy to maneuver as my son but if I nah her enough she’ll do it. Next time we are in your area I will loan them to you 😉