How to build a kids craft table with storage

MitchellMc

Difficulty: Intermediate

Your crafty youngster will have everything at their fingertips to create new masterpieces with this dedicated crafting station. It offers loads of workspace and abundant storage, including a convenient place to hang equipment.

This creation was inspired by experienced contributor @LePallet and his long desktops over storage drawers project. Many thanks again for sharing your wonderful projects with us Rylie.

Steps

Step 1

Start by taking two of your Beech laminate panels and mark three sections 595mm in length on each of the boards. Cut these sections with your circular saw. Now take your six sections and clamp them together. Using your belt sander with 120-grit sandpaper, sand the ends of the boards until they are flush with each other.

1.1 Measuring upright boards.png . 1.2 Upright boards clamped together for sanding.png . 1.3 Upright boards sanded.png

Step 2

Take your Kreg drill bit and insert it into your cordless drill driver. Clamp your Kreg guide onto your first board 50mm from the edge. Using the guide, begin drilling your first pocket hole. Drill another hole on the other side of the board 50 mm in from that edge. Once completed, reposition your guide to the centre of your board at the 200mm mark and drill the final hole. Repeat this process at the other end of the board. Complete this same process for all six boards.

2.1 Kreg drill bit.png . 2.2 Kreg guide clamped in postion on edge of upright board.png . 2.3 Drilling upright with Kreg guide.png . 2.4 Kreg guide clamped in position on middle of upright board.png . 2.5 Top mounting holes drilled in upright board.png . 2.6 Top mounting holes drilled in upright board.png . 2.7 Top and bottom mounting holes drilled in upright board.png

Step 3

Take your remaining piece of Beech panel and lay it on the ground. Position one of your previous drilled boards on the edge of this panel. Fix two 10 x 30mm screws, one on either side of the board, into the bottom panel.

Now take one of your plastic containers and place it upside down on the bottom board. Position another one of your pre-drilled pieces hard up against the container, allowing 1 or 2mm of room, so the container slides freely between the two boards. Screw this board in place and shift your plastic container to the next section.

Next take one more board, and instead of fixing it to the bottom panel, use it as a guide. Mark the outside edge of this piece on your bottom panel. Using this line, cut your bottom panel to size with your circular saw. Complete this process for the other side of the bottom panel. You can now remove these vertical boards from the base panel. Before removing them, mark corresponding letters on the panels so they can be re-assembled in the same position later.

3.1 First upright board screwed into position.png . 3.2 Spacing upright board.png . 3.3 Second upright board screwed into position.png . 3.4 Spacing cut line.png . 3.5 Cut line marked on bottom board.png . 3.6 Bottom board cut.png . 3.7 Both bottom boards cut.png . 3.8 Pieces marked before disassembly.png . 3.9 Render.png

Step 4

Take your seven 20 mm Tasmanian Oak pieces and cut them into 32 to 405 mm lengths. Use your belt sander to round over one corner on each of these drawer runners. Drill two mounting holes in each drawer runner 40 mm from each end with your 3 mm drill bit.

4.1 Cutting drawer runners.png . 4.2 Rounded corner on drawer runner.png . 4.3 mounting holes drilled in draw runner.png

Step 5

Begin spacing out your four drawer runners per board. It will help if you lay out your containers to get a rough idea of the spacing needed. I've spaced my runners with a gap of 135mm between them to suit these containers. Ensure you allow a gap before placing the top runner large enough to accept the lip on your container.

Once you have set out the spacing, apply glue to the runners and screw them into the board with your 8 x 25mm screws. Wipe any excess glue away with a damp cloth.

Once you have attached your runners to the first board, transfer their measurements onto the next board. Continue this on to the last board. The middle board will require runners on both of its sides to support your containers.

Once you have completed installing the drawer runners, apply glue to the bottom of the upright boards. Place the boards onto the bottom panel in the same position you had earlier and screw them into place.

5.1 Spacing out draw runners.png . 5.2 Glueing and screwing runner into place.png . 5.3 Wiping excess glue.png . 5.4 Draw runners in position.png . 5.5 Transferring draw runner measurement to next upright board.png . 5.6 Transferring measurements.png . 5.7 Second upright board complete.png . 5.8 All upright board complete.png . 5.9 Upright boards glued and screwed into base board..png

Step 6

Measure your vertical boards at their base. Transfer this measurement onto your 42 x 19 mm pine and cut out four sections that length. Using your Kreg guide, drill holes into the ends of these pieces. Apply glue to the ends of these spacers and insert them at the top of your vertical boards. Clamp them into position and then screw them in place with your 10 x 30mm screws. You can then install your last vertical board and spacer piece. Test fit your containers to make sure everything lines up correctly.

6.1 Measuring gap between uprights.png . 6.2 Spacers cut.png . 6.3 Preparring to drill holes.png . 6.4 Spacer clamped in position.png . 6.5 Second upright board glued and screwed into postion.png . 6.6 Both spacers and upright boards attached.png . 6.7 Test fitting containers.png . 6.8 Both side units omplete.png . 6.9 Render.png

Step 7

Apply a coating of clear varnish to the side units and your benchtop and allow it to dry before proceeding.

7.1 Preparring to varnish.png . 7.2 Side units and benchtop varnished.png . 7.3 Render.png

Step 8

Take your 42 x 19 mm pine and cut two lengths 900mm long and two lengths 350mm long. Apply glue to the ends of the two shorter pieces and then clamp them between the longer pieces.

Drill pilot holes with your 5mm drill bit to a depth of 25mm, and then screw the sections together with your 10 x 30mm screws. Place your pegboard surround onto your sheet of pegboard and mark around the surround's perimeter. Cut along these lines with your circular saw.

Place the pegboard on top of the surround and fix them together with your 8 x 25mm screws. Position your pegboard on top of your bench. Drill up through the benchtop into the bottom of the pegboard surround. Fix your pegboard into position with your 10 x 30mm screws.

8.1 Pegboard surround cut.png . 8.2 Pegboard surround glued and clamped together.png . 8.3 Screwing pegboard surround together.png . 8.4 Pegboard surround glued and screwed.png . 8.5 Transferring surrounds measurements onto pegboard.png . 8.6 Pegboard cut to size.png . 8.7 Attaching pegboard to surround with screws.png . 8.8 Pegboard clamped in postion.png . 8.9 Drilling attachment holes from beneath bench into pegboard..png

Step 9

Once you have moved your new craft bench into its final location, line up the benchtop with your bottom side units and screw up through your pocket holes into the underside of the bench with your 10 x 30mm screws. Add your assorted pegboard hooks and hang their equipment.

You've now completed the ultimate kid's crafting bench. Watch your children craft to their heart's content while having everything they need in one convenient location.

9.1 Screwing side units into benchtop.png . 9.2 Craft bench completed.png . 9.3 Craft bench completed.png . 9.4 Render.png

Materials

4 pieces of 1.8m Beech laminate panel 405 x 18mm
7 pieces of 2.4m Tasmanian Oak DAR 20 x 12mm
6 pieces of 1.2m Pine DAR 42 x19mm
1 piece Masonite pegboard 1220 x 914mm
70 timber screws 8 x 25mm
60 timber screws 10 x 30mm
16 rectangular plastic basins
1L clear varnish
Assorted pegboard hooks
120-grit sandpaper
PVA wood glue

Tools

Cordless drill driver
Circular saw or handsaw
Belt sander
3mm drill bit
5mm drill bit
Kreg pocket hole jig
Tape measure
Combination square
Clamps
Paintbrush

Images

1.1 Measuring upright boards.png

1.2 Upright boards clamped together for sanding.png

1.3 Upright boards sanded.png

2.1 Kreg drill bit.png

2.2 Kreg guide clamped in postion on edge of upright board.png

2.3 Drilling upright with Kreg guide.png

2.4 Kreg guide clamped in position on middle of upright board.png

2.5 Top mounting holes drilled in upright board.png

2.6 Top mounting holes drilled in upright board.png

2.7 Top and bottom mounting holes drilled in upright board.png

3.1 First upright board screwed into position.png

3.2 Spacing upright board.png

3.3 Second upright board screwed into position.png

3.4 Spacing cut line.png

3.5 Cut line marked on bottom board.png

3.6 Bottom board cut.png

3.7 Both bottom boards cut.png

3.8 Pieces marked before disassembly.png

3.9 Render.png

4.1 Cutting drawer runners.png

4.2 Rounded corner on drawer runner.png

4.3 mounting holes drilled in draw runner.png

5.1 Spacing out draw runners.png

5.2 Glueing and screwing runner into place.png

5.3 Wiping excess glue.png

5.4 Draw runners in position.png

5.5 Transferring draw runner measurement to next upright board.png

5.6 Transferring measurements.png

5.7 Second upright board complete.png

5.8 All upright board complete.png

5.9 Upright boards glued and screwed into base board..png

6.1 Measuring gap between uprights.png

6.2 Spacers cut.png

6.3 Preparring to drill holes.png

6.4 Spacer clamped in position.png

6.5 Second upright board glued and screwed into postion.png

6.6 Both spacers and upright boards attached.png

6.7 Test fitting containers.png

6.8 Both side units omplete.png

6.9 Render.png

7.1 Preparring to varnish.png

7.2 Side units and benchtop varnished.png

7.3 Render.png

8.1 Pegboard surround cut.png

8.2 Pegboard surround glued and clamped together.png

8.3 Screwing pegboard surround together.png

8.4 Pegboard surround glued and screwed.png

8.5 Transferring surrounds measurements onto pegboard.png

8.6 Pegboard cut to size.png

8.7 Attaching pegboard to surround with screws.png

8.8 Pegboard clamped in postion.png

8.9 Drilling attachment holes from beneath bench into pegboard..png

9.1 Screwing side units into benchtop.png

9.2 Craft bench completed.png

9.3 Craft bench completed.png

9.4 Render.png

How to build a kids craft table with storage

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Steps

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Materials

Tools

Images

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