How We Built A Children's Play Table

Please ignore the funky leg in the back. The table wasn't QUITE done when I took the picture!

 My husband and I both grew up in homes where if something broke, you called in someone else to fix it. We, however, like to try and do things ourselves, first. We do have our limits. Our fridge is leaking water and I called in a repair guy for that job. But my husband replaced the broken garbage disposal on his own. We love being do-it-yourself-ers!

I have been looking for a good, sturdy, wood children's table for our play area. Unfortunately, the prices on a good wood table starts at $100 and go up from there. As it turns out, you can make one for about $20.

Sometime ago I stumbled upon Ana-White's DIY website. I was amazed at all the furniture people were making and how easy it seemed. Well, it is easy! Actually, I can't believe how ridiculously simple this table was to make. We had the (really bad) cuts made at the store so we didn't need a saw (although we now really want one!). Aside from the wood, the only other thing we purchased was a pocket hole jig. We made some mistakes along the way, but we still ended up with a very usable table.

Ella is in love with this table!

We're still learning our way around the lumber side of the hardware stores and we had a healthy debate about which pocket hole jig to purchase (we finally ended up with a Kreg Jig). But I absolutely love that my husband and I are continuing to learn new skills and that we're brave enough to jump in with both feet and go for it!

I'm going to let Ella help me paint it this week. Then we'll start on the chairs to go with the table!