How to Make a Kids Craft Table

Kid's Crafts

Children learn by using their imagination during playtime and by making arts and crafts. Designate a space in their room or in the playroom with shelves to organize craft supplies and a craft table of their very own. It's easy to make your kids a custom craft table that will fit in any area available, large or small. All you need are a few building materials, minimal tools and a few basic instructions.

Things You'll Need

• ¾-inch plywood panel
• Four table legs
• Drill and small drill bit
• Screwdriver and wood screws
• Decorative trim
• Masking tape
• Medium- and light-grade sandpaper
• Primer and paint
• Two paintbrushes and paint tray

Instructions

1. Determine the size of your kids craft table based on the available space. Make the table as large as possible for maximum creativity. Table legs can be adjusted for height as your kids grow, but the table top can last for years. Take your table measurements to your local home improvement store, and the workers there will cut the wood panel and the decorative trim to size for you. Your trim will go around the perimeter of the table, so you will need two pieces equal to the table length and two pieces equal to the table width. Select a fun paint color or colors to engage your child's interest. You can always repaint the table as your child grows.

2. Place the face of your plywood face down on a flat surface. Mark the spots where you plan to install the legs. One on each corner will offer the best stability, but you can inset them a few inches from the edge if you like. Drill pilot holes for the screws that will attach the table legs. Pilot holes make it easier to insert the screws into the wood. Attach the table legs by inserting screws at an angle through the top edge of the leg and into the wood top. Place one screw on each side of each leg.

3. Tape the decorative trim in place around the perimeter of the table. Drill pilot holes through the trim and the table. Three to four small screws will be sufficient to hold the trim in place. Insert one screw on each side and remove the tape. Insert the remaining screws.

4. Sand the table with a medium-grade sandpaper to remove any splinters or roughness, followed by a light-grade sandpaper to remove any scratches left by the medium-grade paper. Prime and paint your kids craft table to inspire your child's imagination.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a sheet of Plexiglas to the top of the table for protection. Your local home store will cut the Plexiglas to size for you, and you can use tiny rubber stoppers to hold it in place.

• Wear protective gloves when handling wood.

Resources

• Lowe's