Children’s Activity Table and Chairs

Give the little ones a space to explore their creativity.

Photography by Brian Francis

Children's Activity Table and Chairs
Instructions:

General: Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List and Cutting Diagram as guides and adjusting for fit.

  1. Build the table top assembly and attach the legs.
    • Using glue and finishing nails, attach the (01) long nosing and (02) short nosing to the (03) table top as shown in Figure 1.
    • Using glue and wire brads, attach the (04) supports to the underside of the (03) table top 23 3/4 inches from the ends as shown in Figure 1.
    • Place a straight-top plate 3/4 inch from each corner and centered 3/4 inch from the side edges on the underside of the (03) table top as shown in Figure 3. Attach the plates with the included screws.
    • Screw the (05) table legs into the straight-top plates.
  2. Lay out and cut the container holes.
    • Scribe a line 6 3/4 inches from each side and 12 3/4 inches from each end of the (03) table top as shown in Figure 2. Scribe a centerline along the depth of the (03) table top. The intersections of these lines create a center mark for cutting 4 1/4-inch holes.
    • Cut the holes centered on the marks using a drill/driver and a 4 1/4-inch hole saw attachment.
  3. Add the table rounds.
    • Locate and mark the center on the (06) table rounds (see “Skill Set”).
    • Draw a parallel line 3/4 inch from one of the diagonal lines intersecting the center on each (06) table round.
    • Scribe a centerline on the face of each (02) short nosing.
    • Measure and mark 24 3/4 inches from each end on the face of each (01) long nosing.
    • Position the (06) table rounds on the (03) table top, and align the centers with the scribed marks (see Figure 3). Align the lines drawn in Step 3b with the outer edges of the nosing parts.
    • Clamp in place, and trace the outline of each (06) table round on the (03) table top. Number each (06) table round and its corresponding position.
    • Remove the (06) table rounds, and predrill for the 1 5/8-inch screws within the outlines. Predrill for at least 10 screws per (06) table round.
    • Apply glue to the underside of each (06) table round where it’s touching the (03) table top. Reposition and clamp in place. Attach the (06) table rounds by driving 1 5/8-inch screws through the underside of the (03) table top as shown in Figure 3.
  4. Build the chairs.
    • Locate and mark the center on the (07) seats.
    • Mark 1 inch from the edge on the diagonal lines as shown in Figure 4.
    • Position the (08) chair legs at these marks, and trace the outline of each.
    • Find the center of each outline by drawing diagonal lines from the corners. The intersection point is the center.
    • Predrill for the 3-inch screws at the center of the marked outlines on the (07) seats.
    • Find the center of the (08) chair leg ends, and predrill into the (08) chair legs for the 3-inch screws.
    • Attach the (08) chair legs to the (07) seats using glue and 3-inch screws.
    • Attach a 1-inch chair leg brace to each leg using the included hardware.
  5. Apply finishing touches.
    • Fill all holes, sand, prime, and paint.
    • Insert 1-quart paint cans into the holes in the (03) table top.
Skill Set: Finding a Circle’s Center

Position a framing square a couple of inches above a circle’s bottom edge, and scribe a line across its width. At both points where this horizontal line touches the edge of the circle, draw a perpendicular line that extends to the top edge of the circle.

Beginning where the perpendicular lines touch the top edge of the circle, draw two diagonal lines that extend to the circle’s bottom edge. The center of the circle is at the intersection of the diagonal lines.

Art Gallery

Illustration

Cutting Diagram Illustration

Tools you’ll use
  • miter saw (or handsaw with miter box)
  • power sander and various grits of sandpaper
  • drill/driver with bits and 4 1/4-inch hole saw attachment
  • pneumatic nailer (or hammer with nail set)
  • clamps
  • framing square
  • tape measure
  • paintbrush/rags
  • pencil
Cut List

#

Part Name

Quantity

Material

Size (in inches)

01 long nosing 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 72
02 short nosing 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 25 1/2
03 table top 1 panel 3/4 x 24 x 72
04 supports 2 1 x 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 24
05 table legs 6 Parson’s table legs 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 21
06 table rounds 6 round panel 1 1/4 x 18 x 18
07 seats 6 round panel 1 1/4 x 18 x 18
08 chair legs 24 2 x 2 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 11 1/4

Table Finished Dimensions
Height: 23 1/4 inches
Depth: 42 inches
Width: 90 inches

Chair Finished Dimensions
Height: 12 1/2 inches
Depth: 18 inches
Width: 18 inches

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Project Details
Skill level: Intermediate
Lumber*
  • 8 boards, 2 x 2 x 3
  • 4 boards, 1 x 2 x 6
  • 12 round edge-glued panels, 5/4- x 18-inch
  • 1 edge-glued panel, 1- x 24- x 72-inch
  • 6 (21-inch) Parson’s table legs
Hardware & Supplies
  • 6 straight-top plates
  • 6 packages of 1-inch chair leg braces
  • 1 box (3-inch) screws
  • 1 box (1 5/8-inch) screws
  • 1 box of 4d finishing nails
  • 1 box of (#16 x 1-inch) wire brads
  • stainable wood filler (PL)
  • wood glue (Titebond II)
  • 1 quart of primer (Valspar Interior Latex High-Hiding Primer)
  • 1 quart of paint (Valspar Signature Colors, Eddie Bauer Home, Mineral Blue EB6-1, semi-gloss)
  • 1 quart of paint (Valspar Signature Colors, Eddie Bauer Home, Reef EB7-2, semi-gloss)
  • 1 quart of paint (Valspar Signature Colors, Eddie Bauer Home, Zest EB1-2, semi-gloss)
  • 1 quart of paint (Valspar Signature Colors, Laura Ashley Home, Apple 4 LA1004, semi-gloss)

*Availability varies by market.

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