What the heck is a geoboard you're wondering? It's one of the most marvelous toys there is, that's what.

I first encountered the geoboard when my eldest daughter was a toddler. Her Montessori classroom had a small one and it seemed to serve as a method for increasing the children's fine motor skills.

The children throughly enjoyed what amounted to a simple wooden board with pegs inserted in a grid format. They'd stretch rubber bands from peg to peg making various shapes and designs.

My youngest daughter has one in her Montessori preschool now, too. So, when I ended up with a nice square piece of scrap wood from another home improvement project, I figured it would make the perfect handmade geoboard.

Looking around on the Internet, I've since learned that geoboards are used to teach much more complicated math and geometry concepts in middle and high school.

To learn how to make your own geoboard and to see more spectacular rubberband designs, visit DIY Del Ray.