How to make a portable play table with storage

[Peggers]

Difficulty: Beginner

This play table has built-in storage so you can keep playtime tidy. It can be easily wheeled away at bedtime.

You might like to get the kids involved with picking out bright colours and even helping to paint the table.

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Steps

Step 1

Cut one piece of plywood into three 40cm pieces. Two of these pieces will make up the sides of the table and the third piece will be used to create a decorative building-block design.

Cut the Pine into four 1.2m lengths and four 326mm lengths.

    

Step 2

Draw four circles with a pencil on the spare piece of plywood using a 12cm pot or a similar-sized round object, such as a paint tin. Carefully cut around each circle using a jigsaw and sand the edges.

    

Step 3

Space the circles equally to create the look of a building block on one of the table ends. Put construction adhesive on the back of a plywood circle, position roughly and then slide into the exact position using a straight edge to line it up. Repeat for all four discs and leave them to dry for a few hours.

  

Step 4

Pre-drill and then screw two 326mm timber lengths and two 1.2 timber lengths together using 65mm screws to create a frame. Repeat for the other side.

    

Step 5

Spread construction adhesive along the top of one frame and then attach the plywood sheet as the top of the table. Using 25mm screws, secure the top to the frame at both corners, with two more screws along the side. Do the same for the other side of the table. Then flip the whole thing over and use adhesive and 25mm screws to attach the bottom of the table.

    

Step 6

Before you paint the table it will need a good sanding. It’s not worth sanding every piece of wood before construction, but at this stage when things are almost complete sand off all hard edges and any potential splinters. Small hands will be playing with the table, so make sure it’s smooth and free from sharp edges.

  

Step 7

Put the table and ends on a drop sheet. Paint both sides of the two ends as they’ll be seen from inside the table. Likewise paint the inside of the table as well as the top and sides. There’s no need to paint underneath the top or base of the table. Paint the table and ends in contrasting colours for a fun look.

  

Step 8

Once the paint is dry, attach the castor wheels using 12mm button screws.

  

Step 9

To attach the table ends, use the same procedure as the top and bottom. Spread construction adhesive and then secure using 25mm screws. Place storage containers in bright colours underneath.

Check out this Bunnings Block Warehouse for your D.I.Y. play table.

    

Materials

• 1200mm x 396mm x 12mm plywood x 3

• 70mm x 35mm x 3m Pine x 3

• 250mL paint sample pots in two bright colours such as red and blue

• 8g 25mm timber screws

• 8g 65mm timber screws

• 12mm button screws

• Castor wheels x 4

• Construction adhesive

• Storage boxes x 3.

Tools

• Saw or jigsaw

• Drill

• Phillips screwdriver

• 50mm paintbrush

• Drop sheet

• Orbital sander

• 80-grit orbital sander sheets

• Tape measure

• Pencil

• 12cm pot or round object.

Images