Tips on How to Build a Simple Plywood Table & Chair Kids' Bedrooms

Lawrence Kim

Kids love to work on DIY projects, especially ones they can use each day. Plywood is great material to use for kids DIY projects, as it is affordable and easy to manipulate with simple tools. Here is a table and chair project to serve as inspiration for your next rainy Sunday. 

Table construction

Measure your child's lap height when sitting and ensure the table sits at least 10 cms about their legs, so that they have room to comfortable move and squirm a little. Rather than cutting out specific narrow pieces of plywood to try and glue together to make more tradition chair and table legs, make both in a 'bench' configuration with two solid sides forming a 'u' shape.

Cut out a top sheet of 1.2m length (the standard width of a piece of plywood), and a depth of 60cm-90cm depend on the size of your bedroom space with leg sides that suit your child's height. Glue the pieces together with wood glue, and wait for the glue to fully dry before continuing on. Once the table is dried sand the edges to create smooth corners; your child could do this manually with dry sandpaper blocks.

You can finish the table with paint and fun decals to blend in with the room decor. Gluing a plywood applique 'do-nut' shape (available at most craft or hardware stores) can be very useful to act as a cup holder, either for drinking water or painting wash water cups, and can help minimise spills.

Chair construction

Cut out a sheet that is 60cm square for the seat of the chair, and attach the legs at a height that lets the child sit comfortably. Think about constructing a second chair for friends of siblings to sit at. If adults might use the seat, consider purchases some support braces to place under the chair corners so that some more weight can be supported with out embarrassing collapses.

Glue to pieces together using a similar technique to the table. Once your have sanded and painted the chair, add some Velcro strips across the base of the chair. That way you can attach low cushions, which can be easily removed if they get dirty.

While you will still need to supervise your kids, this project is a great way to introduce your kids to some basic cutting, measuring and smoothing skills. They'll love seeing and using the final product as well!


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