Made OLD toy into something brand NEW!!

RavensGryf · Jul 9, 2014

So since I've seen these "Activity Mats" at the stores (not cheap).... and Raven had this rolled up mat toy that he NEVER used, I decided to take it apart and make it into a more appreciated toy.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a 'before' picture of the original toy, but you can see it to the right hand side of the blue box in this pic.

I unrolled it, and with some spare parts I had.... turned it into this nice activity mat!

No sooner did I put it up, and bam! Immediately, a little someone jumped right on it like a little grasshopper! :11:

I have a feeling it's not going to last very long LOL!

Sterling1113 · Jul 9, 2014

That's awesome! So cute to see him hanging off it haha. I'm glad he likes it, I'm going to make something similar here pretty soon

MissJD · Jul 9, 2014

This is a great idea and I'd love to try it out for my Major Mitchell. I wonder, would those cheapish straw welcome mats do, or will they be treated..??

RavensGryf · Jul 10, 2014

I'm not sure about that. I'm never sure about things which weren't made "for" birds, but that's exactly what they remind me of (those welcome mats) lol!

GW.Joe · Jul 10, 2014

Hello everyone, This thread has been moved to "Do It Yourself" as requested by Julie

Joe

Anansi · Jul 10, 2014

Great idea for re-purposing that toy, Julie! I love it!!! (And so does Griffin, apparently. Haha!)

Kiwibird · Jul 10, 2014

I love recycled toys (and so do our fids

). You did a great job! I bet Griffin is loving all those little beads and interesting tiny objects

thekarens · Jul 10, 2014

Griffin!!! He's so adorable!

GW.Joe · Jul 10, 2014

RavensGryf said:
So since I've seen these "Activity Mats" at the stores (not cheap).... and Raven had this rolled up mat toy that he NEVER used, I decided to take it apart and make it into a more appreciated toy.
No sooner did I put it up, and bam! Immediately, a little someone jumped right on it like a little grasshopper! :11:
I have a feeling it's not going to last very long LOL!

Very Nice Julie, looks adorable with all the little trinkets on it !!

Joe

RavensGryf · Jul 10, 2014

Thanks everyone

I wonder if I can buy those mats separately? If I can get my hands on some, I'd do this all the time for all the birds! I'm glad I thought of this since I have so many little extra parts...

RavensGryf · Jul 10, 2014

GW.Joe said:
No sooner did I put it up, and bam! Immediately, a little someone jumped right on it like a little grasshopper! :11:

Lol! It was extremely adorable when it happened... I wish I had video.
You know how fast a grasshopper or cricket jumps onto something? Reminded me of that exactly. He didn't climb to it, he came out of nowhere and JUMPED on it fast like a little insect! I laughed, it was too cute. :07:

Sterling1113 · Jul 10, 2014

RavensGryf said:
Thanks everyone
I wonder if I can buy those mats separately? If I can get my hands on some, I'd do this all the time for all the birds! I'm glad I thought of this since I have so many little extra parts...

If you shop from mysafebirdstore I know they have them as "seagrass mats" under toy parts. I ordered one, just got it with my package today.

I'm not sure if they'd be called the same thing everywhere else though. Best of luck finding them in stores somewhere!

RavensGryf · Jul 10, 2014

Sterling1113 said:
If you shop from mysafebirdstore I know they have them as "seagrass mats" under toy parts. I ordered one, just got it with my package today.
I'm not sure if they'd be called the same thing everywhere else though. Best of luck finding them in stores somewhere!

Thank you!!

I was surprised to see that one small one was only $4.49! It is shocking how inexpensive it is when I've seen a medium size at the stores (adorned with the things on it) for almost $30. The things they put onto it aren't that expensive either. Huge mark up. More fun to make your own anyway.

Sterling1113 · Jul 10, 2014

Oh definitely. I like MSBS because you can get just one, or they sell packs of 3. And they have a few different sizes. I'm sure MSBS isn't the only one who does it but I'm someone who likes to find something and stick to it.. and they're the first place I ordered from so they'll have my business for quite a while hehe. Plus their customer service/deal of the day is great.

Allee · Jul 10, 2014

I love what you did with the grass mat, Julie! Very creative, and Griffin behaving like a grasshopper says it all. I'm a loyal MSBS customer too. I haven't shopped anywhere else since Terry introduced them to me.

GW.Joe · Jul 11, 2014

RavensGryf said:
Thanks everyone
I wonder if I can buy those mats separately? If I can get my hands on some, I'd do this all the time for all the birds! I'm glad I thought of this since I have so many little extra parts...

Just be careful they are not the "treated" ones

MrsKay · Jul 11, 2014

That is so smart and creative! I love it.
I was recently wondering how I could recycle some of Larry's toys. He doesn't use them all in their current state. Thanks for sharing and the inspiration

Birdman666 · Jul 11, 2014

RavensGryf said:
Sterling1113 said:

If you shop from mysafebirdstore I know they have them as "seagrass mats" under toy parts. I ordered one, just got it with my package today.
I'm not sure if they'd be called the same thing everywhere else though. Best of luck finding them in stores somewhere!

Click to expand...

Thank you!! I was surprised to see that one small one was only $4.49! It is shocking how inexpensive it is when I've seen a medium size at the stores (adorned with the things on it) for almost $30. The things they put onto it aren't that expensive either. Huge mark up. More fun to make your own anyway.

That seems to be the way it is with all bird toys...

Actually, you should see the curious and excited little fid faces when the craft box comes out. Stretching out their little necks, eyes going... trying to see what I am doing. "IZZAT FOR ME?!"

Oooh... dad's making toys again!

GW.Joe · Jul 11, 2014

Birdman666 said:
Actually, you should see the curious and excited little fid faces when the craft box comes out. Stretching out their little necks, eyes going... trying to see what I am doing. "IZZAT FOR ME?!"
Oooh... dad's making toys again!

LOL, When Mark says "little fid faces" and "little necks" he really means GIANT Pteradactyl Sized Parrots LOL

RavensGryf · Jul 11, 2014

Birdman666 said:
Actually, you should see the curious and excited little fid faces when the craft box comes out. Stretching out their little necks, eyes going... trying to see what I am doing. "IZZAT FOR ME?!"
Oooh... dad's making toys again!

Oh that's so cute

Made OLD toy into something brand NEW!!

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Ok, show off your "bird rooms!"

A couple of toys I worked on

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