The homemade train table at our house

For Christmas 2009 I came up with an idea to make a train table for Mini Me, then 20 months old.  I wanted a table that was at a comfortable standing height, that had a small lip around it to catch (most) runaway trains, that had a chalkboard top for artistry, and that was standing on 4 legs only (no drawers underneath).  I couldn't find anything on the market that was exactly what I wanted so I pitched the idea to my good sport of a husband and he agreed to make it with me.

It has been almost two years since we made it and I don't remember all the details that went into it.  Furthermore, please forgive me for my extremely un-technical terms.  I'm not a craftswoman nor will I pretend to be!  

Our materials were: a sheet of  48" x 24" wood, long wooden strips 1" wide, four square table legs, four screw-in leg plates, chalkboard paint, and wood stain.  


We nailed the wooden strips to the sides of the table top, leaving approximately a 1/3'' lip on the top side.

Where the corners come together it looks like this:

We screwed in the leg plates, then attached the four legs.  Easy!

We painted the top with chalkboard paint.  I think I did two or three coats.  Finally, we stained the rest.  


We presented it to Mini Me and he loved it right away!

It's a large table and has spent time in our toy/dining room as well as Mini Me's room.  I miscalculated the height I originally wanted and at first I thought it was too high for Mini Me to stand at. 

But, of course he grew and now, almost two years later, it is at a good height for him to stand and play.  What's funny is that it is the perfect height for us adults to sit in one of our dining room chairs and just barely fit our legs under.  With the right chair, Mini Me can also sit at it. 

The table I had in mind was for sitting at do to art projects as well as for train and car use.  I especially wanted to do all sorts of chalk drawing and writing activities with the top.  We do that occasionally:

But... the table has spent most of its life with trains and cars on it, which truly is great.  I can say with utter honesty that this table has been used every single day since Christmas of 2009 (except when we are out of town).  Mini Me (and now Little Lady) use it in some capacity - even if for a few minutes - every.single.day.

 
I laugh to myself when I see this picture because two years ago I thought the table was too tall for Mini Me, and here is an even shorter Little Lady at 12 months who enjoys standing at it to destroy play with the train tracks.

It pleases me that our little project has turned into something so fun and special for both our children.  I'm positive we will keep using it for years to come.  I need to remember to high-five my husband again for helping pull the mental picture from my brain to reality.... look at our three greatest creations!  ha ha