How to Build a DIY Kids Table and Chair Set

In this post, I’m sharing how to build a simple DIY kids table and chair set!

This play set includes an easy to build DIY kids craft table plus two matching chairs–the perfect combination for a good time of coloring, drawing, painting, and just being a kid.

This small table and chair combo is the perfect addition to a kids play room. But even if you don’t have a designated room for play, it takes up a small foot print, so it could fit in a bedroom or living space, too!

So, if you need to give your kids a place to hang out, be creative…and stay off your dining room table and kitchen counter with their school work and coloring books…then grab the building plans to make the complete set below.

Tools and Materials

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What to Know Before Building

This is a very simple build using basic joinery and materials. I’d consider this a great first woodworking project and, if your kids are old enough, a great project to get them involved with.

It should only take a couple hours to assemble.

Kids Table & Chair Dimensions

This table and chair set is an ideal size for kids about 3-10. The table height is 24 ¾″ and the seat height is 14 ¾″.

If these dimensions are a little too tall or a little too short for your liking, modifying is as easy as adjusting the length of the table and chair legs.

Add a couple inches to the legs to make them taller and take a couple inches away to make them shorter. You can keep all other dimensions the same.

Sanding & Rounding Edges

I always recommend sanding any DIY woodworking project well for best results and proper finish. However, since this is a kids project, I definitely recommend sanding it especially well to avoid any splinters.

If you’d like to remove sharp edges, you can use a roundover bit with a router to smooth out some of the rough corners, or just use a sander to help smooth them out a little.

Keep in mind that the plywood edges will be exposed if you do this on the plywood panels.

How to Build a Kids Table and Chair Set

I’ve got the step by step tutorial with additional tips below, but if you prefer to watch, I also have a video tutorial as well.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a very old video–one of my firsts–so please don’t judge too harshly. My more recent videos are MUCH improved and I’d encourage you to head to the channel and check them out.

And if you prefer to print, I’ve also got the printable woodworking plans for this DIY kids table and chair set here:

Step 1: Assemble Kids Table Base

The simple kids table base here is made from 4×4 post legs and 2x2s for the frame.

First, I cut four table legs from my 4×4 to 23 ⅞″ long. I recommend cutting these just slightly under 24″ so they’ll all be equal length.

HELPFUL TIP: Why not cut them to 24″? Since the 4×4 board is 8 ft long, if I cut the first 3 legs to 24″, the last one would be too short because of the blade kerf.

Then, I cut six 2x2s to 24″ long and drilled 1 ½″ pocket holes into the ends of each.

Not sure how to use pocket holes? Check out this guide to using pocket holes in your woodworking projects!

I only drill one pocket hole in the ends of my 2×2 boards because using 2 tends to cause them to split.

I sanded all my 4x4s and 2x2s well, then assembled the table base like shown using wood glue and 2 ½″ pocket hole screws.

Notice that the table apron pieces (the 4 pieces around the top) are attached so that they are flush to the outside of the legs.

The two shelf supports toward the bottom are attached flush to the inside of the legs and 6″ up from the bottom.

Step 2: Attach Table Top

For the table top, I cut a piece of ¾″ plywood to 33″ square using my circular saw and cutting guides.

You can learn how I cut my plywood sheets in this post.

I recommend using a hardwood plywood for this project (like birch, maple, or oak) as these tend to be higher quality and smoother than most other options.

Normally, I apply iron on edge banding to the edges of my plywood to give it a cleaner look. But, this is an old project that I built before I knew about edge banding, so you’ll see in the photos below that I didn’t add any here.

If I were to do this project over again, I’d definitely edge band, but it’s an optional step. Learn how and why to apply iron on edge banding in this post.

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To attach the top, I flipped it and the table base upside down on top of it, making sure it was centered. There should be about 1″ overhang on all sides.

Then, I predrilled pilot holes through the 2×2 table aprons and used 2″ wood screws to secure. DON’T skip predrilling–this helps prevent splitting.

Prefer to print? Grab the printable kids table and chair set plans here.

Step 3: Attach Table Shelf

To finish up the table, I cut another piece of ¾″ plywood to 20″ x 27″ to serve as the shelf. Edge banding is optional, but again, it does look a little cleaner.

I centered the shelf across the supports on the table (it’s still flipped upside down in the picture below) and clamped it in place.

Then, I predrilled and drove 2″ wood screws through the supports to secure it.

I added the screws from the underside so they won’t be seen in the finished project, but you could certainly screw from the top side if you didn’t mind seeing them.

Now the table is finished and it’s time to build the chairs.

Step 4:  Assemble Kids Chair Backs

The chairs are made from ¾″ plywood for the back and seat, 2x2s for the legs and 1x3s for the seat frame.

First, I assembled the back portion of the chairs. So I cut two 2x2s to 28″ long (per chair) and one ¾″ plywood panel 11″ x 11″ (per chair).

I used a jig saw to cut a curve along the top edge of the plywood panels just to give it a little more visual interest, but that’s definitely optional.

If you need some help drawing a nice curve to cut, check around your shop for buckets, paint cans, or other round objects to help you trace a curve. Or check out this post for 3 easy ways to draw a curve or circle.

I secured these panels between the 2x2s using 2″ wood screws through the sides. The bottom of the plywood panel was positioned 17″ up from the bottom of the 2x2s.

Make sure to predrill before driving the screws to prevent the wood from splitting.

I repeated to make two identical chair backs for two identical chairs.

Step 5: Build Chair Frame

For each chair, I cut 4 pieces of 1×3 to 11″ long and 2 pieces of 2×2 to 14″ long. 

TIP: If you wanted to make your chair seat height taller or shorter, you can modify the length of these 2x2s–shorter for a lower seat and longer for a taller seat.

I drilled ¾″ pocket holes in the ends of the 1x3s and used 1 ¼″ pocket holes to secure them between the 2×2 legs and the 2x2s on the back of the chair.

Make sure to line up the 1x2s on the back side 14″ from the bottom so everything stays square.

I repeated this for both chairs to make two identical frames.

Step 6: Attach Seat

The final piece was adding the chair seat. I cut these seats from ¾″ plywood and made them 14″ square. As always, you can apply edge banding to cover the edges…or not.

In order for these to sit onto the frame properly, the back corners need to be notched out around the 2x2s.

So I used a jig saw to notch 1 ½″ squares off the back two corners of each seat panel.

To install the seat, I placed it onto the frame and used 3″ wood screws through the 1x3s. BE SURE TO PREDRILL PILOT HOLES BEFORE DRIVING THE SCREWS.

Driving a screw through such thin material is likely to cause splitting, so make sure to go slow and predrill.

OR, if you don’t mind seeing the visible screws, you can use 2″ screws through the top of the seat instead to secure.

At this point, the kids table and chair play set is complete! Make sure to sand well and apply a finish of your choosing.

I finished mine with Minwax Golden Oak stain and Minwax Polycrylic and it was ready for play.

Whether you paint or stain, I recommend adding a clear coat like Polycrylic over the top to give it a little extra protection. This will make it easier to clean and less prone to wear as quickly.

Make sure to check manufacturer’s specs for cure times before applying a clear coat on top of your finish. Some finishes have to dry for longer before you add anything on top!

This is the perfect little table for a playroom or a kid’s room.  It’s small enough to put in the corner of your living room, too so you can keep an eye on your kiddos while you are doing your own thing. 

And the shelf underneath can hold craft or coloring supplies, or a basket of toys.  Such a cute little project!

Ready to build your own? Print the building plans here.

Looking for more DIY kids projects?

Here are a few favorite kid projects you may enjoy checking out!

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Until next time, happy building!