Work your jigsaw puzzles in style with this quick portable DIY work station and storage set.  (You might recall our mini puzzle holder and mat post.) We feature a 1000 piece puzzle.  The main board is made from an old large dry erase board and a foam sheet to create extra working mats. When your not using it you can slide it under the couch or bed!

Jigsaw puzzles are great for learning to focus and pay attention to detail. They promote patience, goal setting, collaboration and concentration, qualities which are important for kids and adults alike. When I was younger my dad always had a large family puzzle in the works on a card table and we would sit down and work on  it anytime we felt like it. It was a relaxing activity that gave a sense of satisfaction and brought the family together. Roy and I have done puzzles with our kids and my dad and mom now have the pleasure of doing puzzles with their great-granddaughter.  Traditions are awesome things!

Jigsaw Puzzles Work Station Supplies

NOTE: We used an old dry erase board we had lying around. Because the front was worn and also because the frame had gaps around the edge we chose to use the back for our puzzle mat so we painted it white. You can use the front if you purchase a new board for your puzzles and then no white paint is needed.

• Wood Framed Dry Erase Board. For a 1000 piece puzzle you need a 36" x 24" size.
• Handles (these are mainly for decor)
• E6000 Glue for handles
• White acrylic paint (see note above)
• Silver paint for frame, if desired
• 1 white foam sheet
• Utility knife to cut the foam sheet
• Roll of Washi tape (we used this one to match our silver frame)

Instructions

This post features Ravensburger Bizarre Bookshop 2 1000 Piece Puzzle.

This 35" x 23" wood framed dry erase board was perfect for my main puzzle mat. I had painted the frame around it at an earlier date for another purpose. The front had a gap around the edge and I was concerned about the puzzle pieces sliding under it.  The frame on the back of the dry erase board was snug so that was used for the front of  the mat. 

Two coats of white interior paint was used to cover the back of the board. 

The frame itself was painted silver to match our living room. I protected the inner white mat with sheets of paper taped into place.

The frame was then  spray painted.

Two silver drawer handles were added to the ends, mainly for looks.

The handles could not be attached in the typical way so small holes were drilled down into the frame on each end. One end at a time was completed. The holes were filled with E6000, a very strong glue, and the holes in the handle was also filled. The handle was then put into place and the board stood on end and allowed to dry overnight. This was repeated the next day  for the other handle. 

A piece of white foam board was used to make two extra working mats.

Measure and cut the foam board into two pieces that are the size you desire.

A strip of matching Washi tape was cut for each side. 

The tape was folded over onto the back on each side to give it a finished edge.

Any extra was snipped off.

The work station is now ready to use!

We found all the edge pieces first.

We then put the frame together by matching it up to the photo.

Next we decided to find certain colors and gather those.

The extra mats come in very handy!

When not in use you can slide your puzzle under the bed or couch.