Pottery Barn Kids Table DIY

I have been wanting to make my 2yr old son a kids activity table for quite some time. He has been more and more interested in hands on play like coloring, play doh, and the 'bean bucket.' So, I really wanted him to have a kid friendly table that was at a comfortable height for play.

After doing a little online research, I fell in LOVE with this Hudson Trestle Table from Pottery Barn, but wasn't willing to spend $200 on it.

My husband and I made plans to make our own table and we set out to Home Depot to get the supplies. We ended up spending about $30 on wood supplies and paint (a much better price I must say :).

I did end up splurging a little on the chairs. I really wanted something fun and modern so I ordered THESE white stacking chairs from Target and paid $60 for both of them. I also purchased the blue storage buckets from Target (about $12 each). I don't believe they offer them online, but you can find them at Target near the children's home section (they are from the "Shaun White" line).

I was thrilled with how everything turned out, and most importantly my son loves it!

Here are a few more photos of the finished product...

Get the full tutorial and material list by clicking below!

Kids Activity Table

Materials Needed...

(1) 2x4 8'

(1) 1x2 8' (you only really need 2')

(1) 24" x 48" sheet of 3/4" thick plywood

(1) 12" x 29" sheet of 3/4" thick plywood (we used a scrap piece that we had)

2" Screws

1 1/4" Screws

Wood Glue

Paint

Tools Needed...

Skil Saw and/or Miter Saw (chop saw)

Power Drill

Speed Square (for angles, not needed if you use miter saw)

3/32" Drill Bit

Electric Sander

Paint Brush

Instructions...

1. First step is to cut all the pieces that you will need for the table:

- Cut a 23 degree angle on the end of the 2x4. From the long point measure back 21" and make a mark. This point will be the short side of your next 23 degree angle cut. So you will have a 2x4 piece that measures 21" from long to short (see below photo). This is your first table leg.This piece does not have to be perfect as long as the rest of the legs match. So ensure that they match I would recommend using the first leg as a stencil for the remaining 3.

- Cut the 24" x 48" sheet of plywood so that it measures 24" by 40". This will be the table top.

- Cut 4" off of the remaining 24" x 8" strip so that it is 20" x 8". Then cut it in half so that you have (2) 20" x 4" strips. these will be use to attach the legs to the table top.

 - Also you will need to cut (2) 1' pieces of 1x2 and a piece of 12" x 29" plywood for the shelf (not shown in the photo above).

2. Before putting the table together you will need to makes some measurements and mark them on each piece of wood.

- Take the (4) legs and measure and draw a line in the center of the top ends as shown above. Make sure that these lines extend down the sides a little so that the center mark is visible when the plywood strip is put on top.

 - Take the plywood strips and measure and draw a center line in both direction as shown above. I also measured where I wanted the screws but this is optional.

3. This part is a little tricky and will be a lot easier if you have the help of another person. Stand (2) legs up as shown above and place your strip of plywood on top of them. This is where the center lines come in handy. Make sure that the legs are centered on the plywood and screw (2) 2" screws in each leg from the top through the plywood.

 Repeat the above process for both sets of legs.

 4. Now before gluing anything, you will have to layout the table top so the you know exactly where to put the legs. Measure in from the long sides, 2" on each side and draw a line. Measure in 2 3/4" from the ends and draw another line. The legs mounting strip of plywood should sit inside of these lines.

Now apply the glue to the top of leg mounting plywood strips. To make sure the shelf fits, place the shelf plywood in between the legs and adjust accordingly (as shown in the photo above).

 Next pre-drill and screw (WITH 1 1/4" SCREWS!!! 2" Screws will go through the top of the table!) 2 screws on each end of the leg mounting bracket.

 Also, screw the legs to the table top with 2 screws in the center.

5.  Next, finish building the shelf by pre-drilling and screwing the (2) 1' pieces of 1x2 to the end of the shelf plywood (see photos above). I used the 1 1/4" screws for this as well.

 Now, pre drill and start (2) 1 1/4" screws in 1x2 pieces underneath the shelf (see above photo). Now turn your table right side up and determine where you would like your shelf. Measure up from the ground to mark the top of your shelf. The top of our shelf was at 10 1/2" from the ground. Make sure that the height is the same on both sides. Now get someone to help you hold the shelf to that height and screw it to the table legs. Sorry, I did not take any photos of this step but you should be able to figure it about by looking at the below photos of the completed project.

 Next, get your sander out and sand down all of the rough or sharp edges.

 Make sure to sand down the plywood edges underneath the table as well.

 Now all that is left is to paint it whatever color you and/or your child would like.

Good luck! We had a ton of fun and hope you do too! Let me know if you have any questions along the way.