Craftstory Montessori Busy Board for Kids — Honest Review
The Craftstory Montessori Busy Board is a compact activity board designed for toddlers aged about 3 to 5. It aims to help children practice everyday tasks such as shoe-tying, buckling, zipping and lacing while offering sensory and fine-motor play. The board is often marketed as a travel-friendly learning toy and a simple gift for birthdays.
What this busy board does
This toy brings several common fastenings together on one small panel. Typical features include a shoelace for tying practice, snap or buckle closures, a zipper track and a few lacing options. The idea is to give young children hands-on practice with basic life skills in a low-pressure play setting. It also doubles as a sensory toy: different textures and movements provide tactile feedback that helps develop hand coordination and concentration.
Pros
- Practical skill focus: Encourages shoe-tying, buckling and zipping—useful real-world tasks.
- Compact and portable: Small size makes it easy to use on the go or in the car.
- Good for fine motor practice: Repeated manipulation builds hand-eye coordination and finger strength.
- Simple, intuitive layout: Clear separation of activities helps young children focus on one skill at a time.
- Affordable: Compared to large activity tables or electronic toys, busy boards tend to be budget-friendly.
Cons
- Basic build quality: Some versions use thin materials or stitched components that may show wear with heavy use.
- Limited variety: This board covers a set of core fastenings but lacks bells, lights or diverse sensory elements found on pricier models.
- Small parts caution: Buckles and snaps may be a choking hazard for children who still mouth objects—supervision is needed.
- Not a long-term toy: Older preschoolers may outgrow the challenge after a few months of regular play.
Who should consider this board
This busy board fits caregivers who want a focused, low-tech tool to teach practical skills. It works well for parents trying to encourage independence in dressing, for preschool teachers as a classroom station, or as a compact travel toy to keep a child engaged without screens. If you need a reasonably priced, straightforward way to practice shoe-tying and buckles, this is a useful option.
Who might look elsewhere
If you want a high-end Montessori piece with hardwood construction and a lifetime guarantee, a handcrafted wooden board from a reputable maker may be a better fit. Families who prefer multisensory, noisy or electronic toys to hold attention might find this board too plain. Also, if your child still puts everything in their mouth, choose toys designed for younger infants with larger, non-detachable parts.
Short comparison with similar options
Compared to larger busy boards or activity tables, the Craftstory board is more portable but offers fewer interactive elements. Against wooden latch boards (such as some well-known Montessori brands), this model is usually lighter on craftsmanship but more affordable. DIY busy boards let you customize components and materials, but they require time and basic tools—buying a ready-made board saves effort and gives predictable features out of the box.
Final assessment and recommendation
The Craftstory Montessori Busy Board is a practical, straightforward tool for teaching dressing skills and refining fine motor control. It performs best as an introductory or travel toy rather than a long-term centerpiece. Materials and feature variety reflect its price point: it does the basics without frills. If you want a no-nonsense way to help a 3–5 year old practice shoe-tying, buckles and zips, this busy board is a sensible purchase. For those seeking premium materials or extended sensory play, consider higher-end or larger boards instead.
Overall, this busy board is a reasonable, useful option for parents and educators who want a compact, affordable tool to support independence and fine motor development in preschoolers.
