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Monday, June 13, 2011

Money Saving Tips and Building Your Own Furniture

If you are like me, then you don't have $300 to spend on a Sensory table or $500 to spend on an easel.  If you husband isn't "handy", I'm sure you know SOMEONE who is.  Here are some of our money saving tips.  My husband is not a carpenter, so the "directions" are the best I could do.  LOL

[SIDE NOTE - All you REALLY need for some sensory fun is a large storage container]




My husband made this sandbox from scrap wood at home depot. I think the wood cost us about 3 dollars! Have you SEEN the price of wooden sandboxes? WOW!

 These are the corner board my husband used to screw the sides of the sandbox together.  He also put boards around the top for seating.





Easel - The base is a post that was cut and sanded to a shape we liked (you don't have to do that), then a notch was cut out for the 2x4 legs and frame. He used trim to hold the plexiglass in place.  The plexiglass thickness is 1/4 inch, it's 3x3, and it's 10 inches from the ground.

 A closer look at the base.  We cut out a notch and screwed the legs into the base.


 A closer look at the trim.  We used the trim to keep the plexiglass in place.  We nailed in the bottom and sides first while holding the plexiglass in place for a tight fit - this is a two person job.  Then we put on the top wood and the trim on the top last.












 Sensory Table - top is 2'x4', legs are about 1.5' tall - but you would want to make it to fit the height of the child. The bin is a Sterilite storage container - its 22"x15".  We simply place it on top as a template, traced it, then cut a hole just inside the line on the table to drop in the bin.  I painted it white so that when we do activities with color, the true colors show.
(Another option is to find a coffee table from a yard sale or off of Craigslist and cut a hole in it big enough for a container.)




 This is the cover my husband built for our light panel.  You will need plexiglass and wood.  (I wish I had more specifics, but I dont.  You will need to build it to the dimensions of your light table or panel.  All supplies were bought from Home Depot)  The plexiglass simply sits in the frame (its removable for washing).  The frame has a lip on it (to discourage spills from making it to the light panel - but I always stand by with paper towels during water play, just in case).



 A closer look - my husband pretty much eyeballed it to get the right fit.  He nailed 4 boards together for the frame, then added an edge with a thinner board, and dropped in the plexiglass.  



 Plexiglass is removable as seen here - it just lifts out.



 This is the frame (he also cut out a notch for the chord - seen here).



 This is the light panel cover ON the light panel.



For DIY light table click HERE and HERE
For DIY sensory swing click HERE
For DIY mirror exploration station click HERE
For DIY bead maze click HERE
For DIY activity table click HERE

-AK
MEd, MECD
at

25 comments:

  1. NenaJune 24, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Awesome! I love this! I will definitely be using some of these ideas to make things for my own kiddos!

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  2. Deborah StewartJuly 9, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    I am printing this out for my husband to see. Since he is a carpenter by trade, I think he just might be able to make me my own sensory table and window! This is wonderful.

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  3. Play is EssentialJuly 9, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    This is seriously awesome! I have it booked marked to show my husband and beg him to make the Plexiglas Easel. I love it, the kids would adore it. Now, don't tell him but if he agrees to this than I will be hitting him up for a few more things from your list...
    :-)

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  4. EmilyJuly 10, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    this makes me want to invest in an electric saw.

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  5. ZairaJuly 13, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    the shoe organizer - was that bought like that or was it cut off an over the door organizer? can't seem to find any that aren't over the door!

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  6. Play At Home MomJuly 14, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    I cut the shoe organizer. - AK

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  7. Mama BucksJuly 28, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Any more directions for the sandbox. Like the size of wood and how he put it together. I have been begging my hubby all summer to build one. If he knew yours cost $3 and had some more dimensions or directions, I think I could have him do this weekend :)

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  8. Play At Home MomJuly 28, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Basically, you can make it to whatever size you like. The boards we used were in the scrap pile at Home Depot. The sides are 4' X 11" and there is a bottom board (also from scrap pile at Home Depot). My husband used corner boards (I will add a pic) on the inside corners to screw the sides together, then he just screwed on the bottom. [I wish I had more step by step for you - sorry]. - AK

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  9. UCF CoupleJuly 28, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Did you make your light panel or was that ordered?

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  10. Alexa GeigerAugust 25, 2011 at 4:49 AM

    We are going to build the light box. What kind of light or container goes under the plexiglass frame you show? I'm going to home depot tomorrow. Do I need to buy a small fluorescent lamp?

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  11. EmilyAugust 25, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Just wondering what exactly is the light panel? Is it from home depot?

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  12. Play At Home MomAugust 26, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    This light panel can be found under PRODUCTS WE LOVE on our blog - you might have to go back to "previous posts". Its under Constructive Playthings.

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  13. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    This is brilliant! I am moving house next summer, and Ive got some money saved up to create my 2 year old's bedroom (He'll be in it from age 2&1/2 until around 7 years old) He wont be able to make a mess downstairs as we are moving into a vicarage and need it to be adult friendly and business like downstairs. Do you have any ideas or tips on creating an ideal creative bedroom for kids?

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  14. kaith wilsonOctober 23, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Yes, I like this way to save money.

    money saving ideas

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  15. JenOctober 25, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    I have a questions about the light box with the Christmas lights. Did you cut a hole for the cord or did you string it out under the lid.

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  16. SJNovember 28, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Is the sensory table also made from scrap from HD ? How much would you anticipate lumber like this costing? love. thanks!

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  17. UnknownDecember 3, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    Love these ideas! Is there a way to email me or repost the picture of the little table, I can't get it to pull up on any of my techno things ;) I just like to have an idea on what the shelf looked like. Thank you!! Looking forward to projects for Hubs and I

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  18. UnknownJuly 16, 2012 at 7:54 PM

    Thanks for this post and don't forget to check my blog www.mobilyala.com

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  19. KellyJanuary 11, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    Just an FYI that a lot of the images on this page don't seem to loading.

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownMarch 17, 2013 at 7:17 AM

    Is there any way you can repost the pictures?

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  21. taalentekenMay 14, 2013 at 2:46 AM

    Hi PAHM's,

    Thank you for sharing these instructions! We're goin' for it! One wuestion though. All is made of wood. Easel and sensory table. And you use it outside, where it rains from time to time. I live in the Netherlands, where it rains quite often. Won't the wood rotten after a while? Even when you paint it? There's always nooks and cranny's that don't get paint. Or dit you kit it?

    Thanks in advance!

    An enthousiastic and faithful follower!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Play At Home MomMay 28, 2013 at 4:36 AM

      We used oak and an outdoor spray paint....both items are kept outside at all times and they are holding up well after a few years.

      Delete
  22. Grey MareJune 5, 2013 at 6:09 PM

    How do you clean the paint off of the easel easily if it has dried...I just don't see myself cleaning it everyday lol

    ReplyDelete
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