How to Make a Child's Art Table

Every budding artist needs a place to create their masterpieces. This table holds art supplies while serving as an easel. Here's how to make a child's art table. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Sand all wood pieces using coarse sandpaper, then medium, then fine. Coat each piece with clear acrylic wood sealant on all but one side and allow to dry. Coat on remaining side and allow to dry again. Make a base for the framed whiteboard by arranging the 4-foot 8-inch long 2 by 4s and the 3-foot long 2 by 4s into a rectangle. The rectangle should measure 4 feet 8 inches by 3 feet. Arrange them so that the shorter pieces are inside the longer pieces.Lay the whiteboard in the open center area of the rectangular base. Lay a bead of clear silicone adhesive all the way around the whiteboard where it contacts the two by fours. Allow to cure before proceeding.

2




Using four of the corner blocks, attach to the four corners of your base as shown in the photo, using a nail gun.

3




Using a half inch drill bit, drill two holes about two inches apart on the frame and at the top of each leg, beginning one inch in from the outer edges of the frame, at each corner, for a total of eight holes. Place a washer on each carriage bolt. Put bolt through the hole in the leg first, then the hole in the framed table, then place a lock washer on the other side of the bolt, followed by a nut. Tighten each nut by hand, leaving them slightly loose until after the dowel rods are installed in step 5.

4

Using machine screws, attach window box to one of the four foot long sides of the frame. This will be your supply caddy.

5




Using a hole saw, drill out two one inch deep holes about six inches from the top of each leg of the table, on the inside, facing each other. Place one dowel rod through the paper roll. Put the dowel rods in before tightening the carriage bolts completely.Tighten every other bolt until all 8 bolts are completely tight. Pull the paper roll across the table and wrap it one or two turns around the opposite roll. Secure with tape. Lay the pieces of fluted casing across the short sides of the table and attach at each end with machine screws. This helps keep your paper flat and provides a place to put pencils, chalk and thin markers.