How to Create Your Own Mouse Pad

Working on a computer wears down the wrist from the constant movement of your fingers and hands. The skin on your wrist can also become agitated if it rubs on a counter or table top while your hand controls a mouse. Using a mouse pad allows the bottom censor on the mouse to communicate with the computer without interruption and provides a protective cushion for your wrist as it slides and moves. You can buy mouse pads at any electronics store or make one at home. In fact, you can choose a selection of visual art materials and gather kids together and transform the event into a creative arts project. Either way, making your own mouse pad is a fun and creative activity for children and adults alike.

Instructions

1

Spread out newspaper on top of a table to keep it protected. Place a thin piece of neoprene foam onto the newspaper. The neoprene should be between 4 and 5 mm thick.

2

Measure and trace an 8-inch by 8-inch square on the foam. Cut the foam along the outline to create your pad. Trace an outline using a stencil if you wish to get more creative. Trace out an animal, cartoon figure face or a hot air balloon, for example. Be sure whatever stencil you use provides at least an 8-inch by 8-inch surface for you to maneuver the mouse.

3

Paint the foam surface with acrylic paint using thin brushes. If the foam is light in color, use darker paints. Adversely, if the foam is dark or black, use lighter shades of paint. Draw in the mouse pad surface with markers in lieu of paint. To avoid blotching or smearing, allow a painted surface to dry for at least 3 hours before using it.