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Gifts & Small Projects

Sand & Water Play Table

Your kids will love playing with this sand and water table.

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Difficulty
Intermediate
Time
4.3–8 hours
Cost
$$$

About this build

Your kids will love playing with this sand and water table. Complete with a chalkboard lid, the possibilities for imaginative play are endless! This sand and water table accommodates two store-bought 28-quart tubs and the hinged lid covers the sand and water when not in use.

Tools

Essential

  • Brad Nailer
  • Circular Saw
  • Drill / Driver
  • Pocket Hole Jig
  • Random Orbit Sander

Optional / nice to have

  • Tape Measure

Materials

ItemQty
Board, 1x8 96"2 board
Board, 1x6 24"1 board
Board, 1x3 96"4 board
Board, 1x2 96"7 board
Plywood, 1/2" Thick Full Sheet1 board
Torsion Hinges2 each
1-1/4" Kreg Blue-Kote Pocket Hole Screws1 each
1-1/4" Exterior Wood Screws1 each
1-1/4" Brad Nails1 each
Chalkboard Paint1 each
Exterior-Grade Finish1 each

Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.

Cut list

PartQtyT × W × L
Box Sides23/4" × 7 1/4" × 18 3/4"
Box Sides23/4" × 7 1/4" × 47 3/4"
Slats93/4" × 1 1/2" × 17 1/4"
Divider13/4" × 5 1/2" × 17 1/4"
Legs83/4" × 2 1/2" × 22 3/4"
Shelf Rails23/4" × 2 1/2" × 49 1/4"
Shelf Slats173/4" × 1 1/2" × 13 3/4"
Top11/2" × 20 1/4" × 50 3/4"
Trim23/4" × 1 1/2" × 50 3/4"
Trim23/4" × 1 1/2" × 17 1/4"

What to buy

Buy 15 boards at 8 ft.

3/4" × 7 1/4"

2 boards

3/4" × 5 1/2"

1 board

3/4" × 2 1/2"

4 boards

3/4" × 1 1/2"

7 boards

1/2" × 20 1/4"

1 board

Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →

Start building →

Instructions

  1. 1Build the Box

    Drill 3/4" pocket holes as shown and construct the box with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 5
  2. 2Add the Slats

    Drill 3/4" pocket holes into the 1x2 support slats and attach to the box with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue. Space the slats approximately 4-1/4" apart.

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 6
  3. 3Attach the Divider

    Drill 3/4" pocket holes into 1x6 divider and attach as shown with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 7
  4. 4Add the Legs

    Pre-drill pilot holes and drive 1-1/4" wood screws to attach the legs to the box as shown.

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 8
  5. 5Construct the Bottom Shelf

    Drill 3/4" pocket holes and construct the bottom shelf as shown with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue. Space slats approximately 1-1/2" apart.

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 9
  6. 6Attach the Bottom Shelf

    Attach the bottom shelf with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. The bottom shelf is 2" from the ground.

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 10
  7. 7Attach the Top

    Install hinges to attach the top to the play table. Note: torsion hinges are recommended to keep the lid from slamming down on tiny fingers.

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 11
  8. 8Add Trim

    Attach 1x2 trim to the top with 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue.

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 12
  9. 9Visit JenWoodhouse.com

    For more DIY project ideas and free building plans, please visit JenWoodhouse.com

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 13
  10. 10Sand, Stain/Paint, and Finish

    Sand, stain or paint, and finish with an exterior-grade top coat as desired. Because plywood is not suitable for outdoor use, I recommend storing the play table in a garage or under a covered area when not in use to protect it from outdoor elements.

    Sand & Water Play Table — step photo 14

Tags

  • Gifts
  • Intermediate

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