
This is a very simple and easy DIY Kids Table to make. I was selling a dining table on craigslist and the customer that purchased the table also asked me to build a small farmhouse style kids table for her 1st-grade class. Follow these steps to make this table
- Cut and Assemble Boards for Table Top
- Attach the Breadboards
- Measure, Cut, and Assemble Side Boards
- Attach 2x4s to Table Top
- Cut and Attach 4×4 Legs
Tools for this project
Material list
- 4x4x8′ (x1)
- 2x6x8′ (x3)
- 2x4x8′ (x2)
- 2 1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
Note: Lumber dimensions are listed as nominal size. See lumber sizes for actual dimensions vs nominal.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page as well as links in “tools for this project” and “material list” sections are affiliate links.
Dimensions

Step 1 – Cut and Assemble Boards for the Tabletop
For this project I’m using regular construction lumber from Home Depot. It’s important to take some time and pick out the best lumber boards you could find, especially for the table top. Many times construction lumber is very rough with dents or twists. That’s why its cheaper then other premium lumber.
Take 2×6 boards and cut 5 pieces to 27″ in length. Then with a table saw rip off 1/8″ on both edges of the 2×6 boards. This will remove the rounded edges and will make the tabletop flat without any grooves. Then set your Kreg Jig to 1 1/2″ wood thickness and drill pocket holes as shown in the picture. Next, apply wood glue between the boards and clamp all boards with a pipe clamp. This will prevent the boards from shifting when driving in the screws. Then attach the boards with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step 2 – Attach the Breadboards
Once the top boards are attached, measure the total distance for the breadboard and cut 2×6 with a miter saw. Similar to step 1, rip off 1/8″ on both edges of the breadboard. Then apply wood glue and attach these boards with pocket hole screws.

Step 3 – Measure, Cut, and Assemble Side Boards
Now take 2×4 boards and cut two pieces to 35″ in length and two pieces to 21 1/2″ in length. Then drill pocket holes as shown in the picture. Connect these boards together with wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws making a rectangle.

Step 4 – Attach 2x4s to Table Top
Center 2×4 rectangular frame over the tabletop. You should have a 1 1/2″ distance from the edge of the table to the rectangular frame all the way around. Attach the frame to the tabletop with wood glue and pocket hole screws.

Step 5 – Cut and Attach 4×4 Legs
Take 4×4 boards and cut four pieces to 21″ in length. Then drill pocket holes on the legs to attach to the tabletop. Apply wood glue on edge of the leg and attach to the tabletop with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws. You are done with building the DIY Kids Table.
Paint or stain to your favorite color. I used Honey Stain for the top and white paint for the legs and the side. Make sure to pre-stain the tabletop before applying the stain. Pre-stain will prevent stain blotchiness.

I was wondering do you have plans for chairs with the kids table?
Hi Lacey, currently I do not have plans for small chairs that match this kid’s table. But in the near future, I’ll definitely make them. Although I do have plans for a farmhouse chair, but it’s for a large dining table.
Do you know what color stain you used on this project? I love the color!
Hi Danni, I used Honey stain for the top of the table.
Excellent video thank you!! Quick question – would this work with 1X6 wood on the top (instead of 2×6)?
Hi Sean, Yes you could install the top with 1×6 instead of 2×6. But I think the legs would look too bulky compared to the tabletop. That’s just my opinion. If you build it with 1×6, I would love to see how it turned out.
Good point, i will stick with the 2x’s.. thanks!
About how much did it cost you to build the table?
Hi Ciji, it cost me about $45 to make this table.
Hey Viktor,
In the video it appears you mark the location for the 4x4s then measure and attach the box/side boards- the written instructions seem to say do the box side boards first then attach the 4x4s, just curious where the 4×4 measurements should be and if the 4×4 placement should be measured before the box/side boards?
Thanks- love the table!
Hi Mark, This was one of my first projects I did for this website, so yes the written instruction is slightly different than the video. But you could eighter follow the video or the instruction, they will both work. If you’re following the video, I cut the side boards first (two 35″ long pieces and two 21 1/2″ long pieces, see cut list). Using those boards dimensions I placed them on the workbench and then attached the legs to the side pieces. Then attached the legs and side pieces to the tabletop.
did you use dimensional lumber? your boards like quite sqaure to be normal 2x6s. building this now and having some difficulty with a functional table surface when each board has its own height and curve leaving divets between where boards join.
Hi Christian, I used regular 2×6 construction lumber from Home Depot. But I might have trimmed the edges to eliminate the curve using a table saw, I build this table a while back. When building a tabletop its important to clamp the boards together before screwing them together, otherwise the boards will shift making one board slightly higher than the other. Also, you need to make sure the boards are not warped or twisted.
Nice table. I want to build this table for my kids but I’m not sure what type of wood I should use. Can you share more about what type of wood you use? Thanks
Hi Daniel, For most of my projects, I’ve used pine wood that is normally used for construction, like 2x4s or 4x4s. Its the cheapest, but it has a tendency to twist or warp due to heat or humidity. So it’s important to select straight boards and have the project done quickly before the boards warp. Once the project is done, paint, or stain to protect the wood.
Do you have a measurement for where the pocket holes need to go?
Hi Eal, I usually just guess on the pocket hole locations or distance between them. You could put as many as you want. I try not to go over 14″ between the pocket holes.
Where did you measure to for the 4×4 locations? Thanks! Love the table
I used the side pieces for the measurement, see step 3 in the written instructions.
Thank you! Hopefully I’m not just missing this but on the 4×4’s the did you do both horizontal and vertical pocket holes (so they were attached to the 2×4 box and table top). I didn’t know if having the pocket holes cross would be a problem- I appreciate your help! New at the pocket holes.
Yes, I had pocket hole screws attaching to the 2×4 box and the tabletop. So few of the pocket holes will cross, but that is perfectly fine.
Is it possible to make this table without pocket holes? I don’t have a kreg jig.
Hi Rachel, Yes, you could build it without kreg jig, but you will have the screws exposed on top of the table. Using kreg jig allows you to hide the screws under the table.
Hi Viktor I was wondering do we have to use a kreg jig to do the table.
Hi Jakers, the main reason why I use Kreg Jig, is you could have the pocket holes with screws hidden on the back or under the table. If you don’t use Kreg Jig, you will have to attach the legs and the tabletop with screws on the top and sides. So yes, you could build it without Kreg Jig, but all your screws will be exposed.
Did you ever create the plans for the chairs?
Hi Jason, no I haven’t had a chance to.