DIY Kids Activity Table

Our first big DIY project after baby Will's arrival was this fantastic kids activity table.  I had been browsing Pinterest for quite some time looking at different ideas, but it wasn't until I stumbled across Andrea's blog, Strawberry Chic, that I found the perfect solution.  I was looking for something that looked a little different than the standard activity table, plus I wanted it to be a relatively simple and quick build.  Her tutorial fit the bill perfectly and last Sunday afternoon during nap time we got started.  Here's a quick peek at what it looked like after 2 hours of assembly and some additional painting time.

There were only three minor differences between her tutorial and what we did.  First, we purchased pre-fabricated wood panels (see picture below) instead of using plywood for the tabletop and shelf.  Our panels were already sanded and were actually slightly less expensive than plywood (win-win!).

Second, her tutorial said to cut the leg angles at 23 degrees, but we actually did 67 degrees (I think that's just a typing error).  Third and final, we used 2 inch screws to secure the shelf to the legs (her tutorial said to use 1 1/4 inch screws which weren't long enough).  Other than those three MINOR tweaks, we followed her tutorial completely and knocked the assembly part of this project out in just under two hours!

Once the assembly was complete, I sanded everything down and then began the painting process.  To save $$, I used leftover paint that I had from other projects.  The white paint is actually a paint-and-primer in one. I did two coats of that.  Once that was dry, I added the turquoise border around the edges.  It is placed one inch in from the outside edges and it is two inches wide.  After that was dry, I did two coats of Minwax Polycrylic to seal everything and make it easier for clean-up.

I used painters tape to create the turquoise border.

And here's the finished table!

This project is acutally based off Pottery Barn's Hudson Trestle Table which retails for $199 (in white).

a

Project Cost & Sources

The total cost of my project was $96!  This includes the chairs and baskets.

1) DIY Kids Activity Table ($50 materials cost)

2) Target Children's Stacking Chairs ($30 on clearance for both)

3) Target Room Essentials YWeave Turquoise Baskets ($8 each in store - couldn't locate online)

4) Border Paint Color,  Twilight Meadow by Valspar (free because I used it for this chandelier project)

5) Base Paint, Kilz


So, for less than a hundred dollars, Emme and Will (someday) will get hours of fun and many memories at their little activity table.  I'm also happy to report that the finish is holding up well despite lots of accidental coloring on the actual tabletop itself.

Linked up @ : Shabby Nest, Somewhat Simple, Whipperberry, Tater Tots & Jello