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A low kids' activity table with a fixed plywood box top, a removable bottom shelf, and a trimmed-out top surface split into liftable inserts for easy cleanup and storage access.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box long sides | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 48" | Pine 1x6 | ☐ |
| Box short sides | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 30 3/8" | Pine 1x6 | ☐ |
| Box bottom and top blank | 2 | 3/4" × 31 7/8" × 48" | Plywood or MDF, ripped strip | ☐ |
| Side legs | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 17 1/4" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Front/back legs | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 17 1/4" | Pine 1x3 | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf supports | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 48" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 28 7/8" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Side trim | 6 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 28 7/8" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| End trim | 6 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 44 1/2" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Top end trim | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 34 7/8" | Pine 1x3 | ☐ |
| Top side trim | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 48" | Pine 1x2 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood or MDF, 3/4", ripped into three 31-7/8" x 48" strips One strip becomes the fixed bottom; the others become the top surface and its removable inserts. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x6, 8 ft | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x6, 6 ft | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x2, 8 ft | 9 each | ☐ |
| Pine, 1x3, 8 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 2" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 1-1/4" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Finish nails | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
| Wood filler | 1 can | ☐ |
| Finish | 1 can | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: Pine, 1x6, 8 ft, Pine, 1x6, 6 ft, Wood screws, 2", Wood glue
Screw the box sides together with 2" screws and glue. Measure both diagonals — one will be longer. Gently push those two opposite corners together to shorten that diagonal until both measurements match; that's how you square up any rectangular frame.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: Plywood or MDF, 3/4", ripped into three 31-7/8" x 48" strips, Wood screws, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Lay one of the plywood or MDF strips on top of the box and screw down with 1-1/4" screws. Predrill every hole and use glue.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft, Wood screws, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Screw the side legs to the short ends of the box with 1-1/4" screws and glue, keeping them flush to the sides and top.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x3, 8 ft, Wood screws, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Screw the front/back legs to the end legs and the box sides with 1-1/4" screws and glue.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft
With help, or with the table turned on its side, attach the bottom shelf supports and shelf. Cutting small spacer blocks and screwing them to the inside of the legs first, flush with the leg bottoms, gives the shelf something to rest on while you predrill and screw it down — the spacers can stay in place afterward.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft, Finish nails, Wood glue
Attach the side and end trim pieces to the box with nails and glue, or screws if you don't have a nail gun.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Pine, 1x2, 8 ft, Pine, 1x3, 8 ft
Lay out the tabletop insert pieces on top of the box and trim around them so they have a snug but removable fit — the top trim attaches to the legs and side trim, not directly to the box top.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Plywood or MDF, 3/4", ripped into three 31-7/8" x 48" strips, Wood filler, Finish
Sand the tabletop inserts to get a nice snug fit within the trim. Drill a small finger-hole in the center of each insert so they can be lifted back out easily. Fill nail holes, sand every surface, and finish.