How to Build a Simple DIY Kids Table

DIY Kids Table

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

  1. Cut and Assemble Boards for Table Top
  2. Attach the Breadboards
  3. Measure, Cut, and Assemble Side Boards
  4. Attach 2x4s to Table Top
  5. Cut and Attach 4×4 Legs
How to Build a Simple DIY Kids Table

Kids Table PDF

$7.97

This PDF download includes Cut Diagrams, a List of Supplies, and 3D illustrations with detailed steps to build the project. Measurements are in imperial and not metric. Does NOT include SketchUp/CAD files.

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Kids Table

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Tools for this project

Material list

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

DIY Kids Table 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.

attaching top boards for DIY Kids Table

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.

top for the DIY Kids Table

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.

DIY Kids Table frame

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.

attaching framing to table top of  the DIY Kids Table

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.

attaching legs to table top

27 thoughts on “How to Build a Simple DIY Kids Table”

    • 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.

      Reply
    • 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!

      Reply
      • 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.

        Reply
  1. 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.

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  2. 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

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
      • 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.

        Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
    • 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.

      Reply

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