PurePlay™ Montessori Busy Board
What to Hand Them Instead of the iPad
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Backed by child brain research
Backed by child brain research
In a Pediatrics study, just 9 minutes of a fast-paced cartoon left 4-year-olds worse at focus and self-control than kids who watched a slow show or drew pictures.
A JAMA Pediatrics study of 7,097 children linked more screen time at age 1 to communication and problem-solving delays at ages 2 and 4. Another found every extra minute of screen time meant about 7 fewer words from parents.
An MRI study at Cincinnati Children's found preschoolers with more screen use had less developed white matter in the brain pathways for language and early reading.
Hands-on work like zipping, buckling and lacing builds the fine motor skills that are one of the strongest early predictors of later reading and math.
What's inside the 8 pages
What's inside the 8 pages
30+ hands-on Montessori activities: zipper, buckles, laces, buttons and snaps, shapes, animals, colors, counting and threading, A-Z and 1-10, buckle straps, and a clock with days and weather.
No batteries, no lights, no sounds. About 11 x 9 in closed, 17.5 in open, about 1 lb, with a carry handle. Pages zip out to go lighter or to share with a sibling.
Recommended age
Recommended age
Made for 6 months to 5 years. Babies and young toddlers start by exploring the textures, flaps, zipper and straps. Buckles and snaps usually click around age 2. Older toddlers grow into the alphabet, numbers, clock and weather pages.
Contains small parts: supervise children under 3.
Is it safe?
Is it safe?
Yes. PurePlay is tested to the U.S. toy safety standard ASTM F963 and has a Children's Product Certificate (CPC).
Soft felt pages with reinforced stitching. No batteries, no magnets, no electronics. Spot clean with a damp cloth and air dry.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
We offer FREE Worldwide shipping for all orders. All taxes and customs are included in the final price, so you won't have to pay anything when you receive it.
Order processing takes 24h -48h business days before shipment. Once your item/s is dispatched, the estimated delivery time is:
- AllﾠEurope Countries: 3-7 business days
-ﾠUK: 3-7 business days
-ﾠAustralia: 3-7 business days
-ﾠUSA & Canada: 3-7 business days
-ﾠRest of world: 5-10 business days
No Extra Costs. All taxes and customs are included in the final price, so you won't have to pay anything when you receive it.
We want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase. Items can be returned or exchanged within 90 days of delivery.
60-day money-back guarantee. If PurePlay doesn't replace the iPad in your house, send it back for a full refund.
PurePlay™ Montessori Busy Board
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It's Not the Hours. It's the Speed.
Kids' shows can change the picture every few seconds: a reward for the brain over and over, for doing nothing. No wonder real life feels slow and the iPad ends in a meltdown. PurePlay flips it: every buckle, zip and lace ends in a "click" they earn with their own hands.
Same Quiet. Opposite Effect.
✔Hands do the work: pinch, pull, zip, buckle, lace
✔Moves at their speed: attention stretches instead of being yanked
✔Talks with you: letters, numbers, animals, clock, weather
The People Who Built the Screens Keep Them From Their Own Kids
When a New York Times reporter asked Steve Jobs if his kids loved the iPad, he said they hadn't used it. Bill Gates held off on phones until 14. Silicon Valley executives send their kids to a school with no screens at all.
What Screens Are Doing to Your Toddler
The quiet you get now can cost them later. These effects are linked to how much screen time toddlers get, and how fast the shows move.
A Whole Busy Bag in One Zip-Up Book
- Life skills: zipper, buckles, laces, buttons, snaps
- Thinking: shapes, colors, animals, counting
- Early learning: A-Z, 1-10, clock, days and weather
- Calm by design: no batteries, no lights, no sounds
Hand It Over Everywhere You Used to Hand Over the iPad
Taking the iPad away cold turkey turns every day into a battlefield. The moms who make it stick don't just take something away. They hand them something else, in the exact moment they used to hand over the screen.
Today It's the Board. Tomorrow It's Their Own Jacket.
Every buckle, zip and button is a skill they'll use to dress themselves, buckle in and get ready for preschool. The same "practical life" work Montessori classrooms are built on.
What the Studies Say
Fits the Diaper Bag. Goes Everywhere the iPad Went.
About 1 lb · 11 x 9 in closed · carry handle · pages zip out
An iPad Costs Hundreds. This Costs Less Than Dinner Out.
And it's the reason you can actually finish that dinner.
Most moms grab 2: one for home and one for the car or diaper bag. Or one for Grandma's house, so the iPad stops being the first thing she hands over.
60-Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Try PurePlay for 60 days. Hand it over at the restaurant, in the car, on the plane.
If it doesn't replace the iPad in your house, return it for a full refund. No questions asked.
We're a US-based company with real customer support. We've got you covered.
Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages is PurePlay for?
What ages is PurePlay for?
6 months to 5 years. Little ones start with textures, flaps, zips and straps; buckles usually click around 2; older kids grow into the alphabet, numbers, clock and weather.
Is it safe?
Is it safe?
Yes. PurePlay is tested to the U.S. toy safety standard ASTM F963 and has a Children's Product Certificate (CPC). Soft felt pages with reinforced stitching, no batteries, no magnets, no electronics. It has small parts like buttons and buckles, so supervise children under 3.
What's inside?
What's inside?
8 pages and 30+ activities: life skills (zipper, buckles, laces, buttons), shapes, animals, colors, counting, A-Z and 1-10, buckle straps, and a clock with days and weather.
How big is it?
How big is it?
About 11 x 9 inches closed, 17.5 inches open, about 1 lb. Carry handle, and the pages zip out to go lighter.
Will it really keep my toddler busy?
Will it really keep my toddler busy?
Every activity has a clear "done!" moment, which is what keeps little hands coming back. With 8 pages, there is always a new one to flip to. Sit with them the first few times.
Is all screen time bad?
Is all screen time bad?
No. Video calls with family are fine, and watching together is linked to better outcomes. PurePlay is for the moments you used to hand over the device so they go quiet.
What if my toddler doesn't like it?
What if my toddler doesn't like it?
You're covered by our 60-day money-back guarantee. Full refund, no questions asked.
How do I clean it?
How do I clean it?
Spot clean the felt with a damp cloth and let it air dry.
Fun to play with for young kids. There’s a spelling error on one page displayed in photo. Also these come with the Velcro and parts not assembled so takes a while to set up.
Wonderful.
The perfect gift!! 💝
This busy board was chosen for a gift. It appears to be made well and came with a small bag for the pieces. As stated in the description it would be good for 3+ as there is small pieces and could be a choking hazard. This board would be great for keeping your child busy during car rides or traveling. I could see how the small pieces could get lost so you may want to establish that pieces need put in the bag before putting up.
This busy book is such a fun and engaging toy for toddlers! It’s packed with learning opportunities—colors, animals, shapes, ABCs, numbers, and so much more. My toddlers absolutely love it, and it’s quickly become one of their favorite activities.
One of my favorite features is that the pages unzip, allowing both kids to share and play at the same time. The different parts are attached with Velcro, which makes it super easy for little hands to take pieces on and off. It encourages fine motor skills and imaginative play while keeping them entertained.
In terms of quality, I’d say it’s pretty okay—not flimsy, but my toddler was able to disassemble the little clock hands, so that’s something to keep in mind. Because of the small parts, close parental supervision is very important to prevent choking hazards.
For the price, it’s a great value. The combination of fun, hands-on interaction, and educational content makes it well worth it. Overall, it’s a super fun, versatile, and educational toy that we truly love in our home!
Click to play video
I recently got the toddler busy board, and while it has some great features, it also has a few drawbacks. The majority of the board is made of felt, which is soft and child-friendly, but the handles are poorly stitched and feel quite cheap. I worry they won't hold up well with a toddler pulling or carrying it around.
On the plus side, I appreciate the variety of items included. The different materials like plastic wheels, clips, zippers, and animal "fur" provide a nice range of textures for little hands to explore. However, many of the pieces are attached with weak velco, making them easy to lose, especially since some are small enough to pose a choking hazard for younger kids.
I also found that the pieces are hard to remove from their molds, and I was concerned about some fragile parts ripping during play. A highlight for me is the ASL number section, though I wish it also included the ASL alphabet.
Overall, while the educational aspects like colors, weekdays, and numbers are beneficial, I doubt the board will have much longevity. It may last for a long road trip, but keeping track of all the pieces will likely be a challenge for a young toddler. If you're looking for something durable, you might want to consider other options.
This is a darling busy board for toddlers. So many unique and engaging activities in one convenient place. The colors are vibrant. I was impressed with the quality of the product overall. Numbers, letters, colors, shapes, animals and more- all in one place!
All of the words inside are spelled correctly.
Multiple ages of children would be interested in this as both a 4 year old and 18 month old couldn't wait to try it!
A few downsides:
-One of the boards is not hooked into the book. While two of the interior pages are attached to the book with a zipper, the third interior page is not attached at all. I worry this page will easily be misplace while on the go. In an airplane seat, this extra page felt in the way and difficult to manage with a young toddler. I wish I could zip this page in as well.
-The Velcro is a bit challenging for little hands and the placement has to be pretty exact to function properly.
-Some parts are small so the toy needs to be closely observed for younger children.
-The toy is on the large size- a consideration when traveling as it takes up most of my child's travel backpack.
Really cute book to take on a road trip. Will be easy throw in the toy bag and travel with. There are multiple pages with loads of activities. Everything has a strong velco on the back and it came with a little bag to put the pieces in. Will be a hit on our next trip
This busy board is fantastic for keeping kids engaged and learning - perfect for travel and great value for everything included.
What's packed into 12" folded case:
Activities include shapes, numbers, colors, days of the week, shoe tying practice, clothing buttons, belt buckles, zippers, gears, dinosaur velcro puzzle, and texture mat. Also includes a burlap pouch for small pieces that stores inside.
Age versatility:
My 1-year-old loves the velcro stickers (30 min engagement with supervision), but there's truly something for all ages. Some activities will challenge preschoolers while others might be too easy - good for growing into.
Quality and safety:
Good construction that's holding up well to toddler use. Note the choking hazard warning for under 3, though it's fine with supervision for younger kids.
Travel perfection:
This is exactly what you want for car trips, restaurants, or any situation where you need portable entertainment. The briefcase style keeps everything contained and organized - much better than rigid or large alternatives.
Educational value:
Covers essential kindergarten prep skills: shapes, colors, numbers, days of the week, fine motor skills (buttons, zippers, shoe tying), and sensory exploration.
Outstanding value:
At $20, the amount they've packed into this compact format is impressive. Perfect balance of educational content, portability, and price.
This is such a well thought out and constructed busy book. It is so easy to travel with because of the size and handle that’s included. It was fun for my kids to go through the book because of all the different activities included like puzzles and motor skills challenges. The velcro on the pieces in the book stick well, and I like that this is quite a quiet activity that won’t bother others. A bag is also included for any loose pieces. This will also make a good gift for birthdays or Christmas for any young child.
I love the idea of this busy board. There are some parts in this board that are fantastic — mainly the first two pages and the last two pages because they have so many different types of things to do.
The middle pages are where things seem to go wrong. One page isn’t even attached and just comes out. There is no storage. It comes with a small brown bag incase things fall off but there’s no place to put it so you have to just shove it in the bag and hope it doesn’t fall out.
You have to punch out each item that is attached by Velcro but the items aren’t fully cut so you have to pull them off and each item was hard to punch out. Then, the Velcro doesn’t line up well so the little Velcro animals fall off.
The primary pro of this time is how soft it is because it’s felt. There are also different textures like the fuzzy cow spot and the hedgehog’s mud. I wish they would have stuck with textures and gadgets (like on the first page and last) and got rid of the cheaply made Velcro animals/cut outs.
Will it keep your kid busy? Yes. Is it cute? Yes. The value for the money doesn’t seem worth it to me.
When traveling, it’s always good to have activities that are self contained and easy to transport.
Pros:
- compact, easy to carry, and everything is self contained
- the smaller pieces are Velcro backed to stick to assigned spots
- diverse activities, both fun and educational for toddlers
- the quality is as expected for price point
Cons:
- the material isn’t particularly soft, more rough, likely due to the Velcro pieces
- really small window of use—as in, older children would likely bore quickly (note: there are small pieces, so very young toddlers will/could put those pieces in there mouth)
Overall, it was available for $20 which I can see the value, but $30 seems high.
Our 2 year old has loved this even when he was 1 years old! Great in the car or in restaurants to keep the kids busy! Each page offers more age appropriate skills! Our sons both love completing each task throughout the book. Also very durable for younger children!
There are many items for a toddler to do. I have given two away both children take this with them in the car and on trips. This book keeps them busy. Things to pull, buckle, unbuckle fasten tie zip and many other things. It has given each child plenty of things to do. Well worth the money. The quality is great, it is sewn well it has endured constant use and play.