Little people matter too, right? Being a mom of eight, I am always on the look out for projects that are fun for the kids but are practical as well. Here is a DIY chalkboard table for kids + how to make mini-benches. Enjoy!

Mini- toddler table with mini-benches. The table is a coffee table with chalkboard paint on top. ♥ My kids ages 8-1 fit great around it. Use as a coffee table in your living room or in the family room with the benches that fit around it perfectly.

Starting with the benches:

You need:

1. one 1" x 8" x 47 1/2" long board, or measure according to the length of your coffee table*
2. 2 pieces wood: 1" x 8" x 7 1/2" for the legs...cut a v-shape on one end of each piece
3. 1 wood piece for the center bracket: 1" x 2" x 42"
4. Jigsaw
5. Circular saw
6. Pencil
7. Wood screws
8. Router *Optional
9. Turquoise satin finish latex paint
10. Paint brush

Directions:

*If you want to push the bench under the coffee table, you'll want to make these a little shorter and keep in mind where the legs stand on the coffee table. Assemble the pieces as follows:

Take the center bracket and screw onto the center of each of the "legs".

Router the long board {Optional} and set on top of the "legs". Screw into place. {It always helps to make it a family affair: here is a picture of 3 generations working together.} Finish by painting!

DIY Chalkboard Table for Kid's

Find a coffee table that you love and one that you are willing to forever allow the kids to have fun with. Sand the table. Paint the sides and legs of the coffee table. We used a turquoise satin latex paint. Next spray paint the top of the coffee table with a primer. Then spray the top with chalkboard spray paint {find it at Home Depot}. Spray 2 coats for a good chalkboard. Get out the chalk. Put the benches at the table and let the kid's enjoy!  

Tip for chalkboard lovers: mix white vinegar and water to get it cleaned well without the chalk residue.

Variations:

We did the Raspberry Lover's table next.  Here is a before and after:

The guy from Craigslist was surprised I seemed so happy about buying it. He didn't see the possibilities that I did!!

If you can't tell, there were extra bars all the way around.  We pulled those off, put heavy duty screw in the legs to hold on better without them.  They didn't really need them, but just to be sure it was strong enough to hold up on their own, we replaced the screws.  We then filled in the holes with wood glue and wooden dowels.  Taking a saw, we sawed off the extras and sanded it down. After some paint....voila!

What did you think? Give me some Facebook and voting {love}! ♥