DIY Kids Art Table with Hexagon Geometric Table Top Pattern

A step by step tutorial on how to build a kids art table from a single sheet of plywood. This is my entry for June / July’s Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest sponsored by Purebond Plywood: One Panel Challenge.

Hello everyone, today I’m sharing details on how I built a kids art table for my niece.  The art table is very similar in design to the one I built for my son a couple years ago. You can read about that project here. The main difference between the two tables is the newer version is slightly smaller in size and lacks a built-in paper roll.  The new version also has a slightly recessed drawing surface to incorporate an acrylic sheet cover.

(For sneak peeks on upcoming projects follow me on Facebook and Instagram!)

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.  I received one sheet of Purebond Plywood for free.

Tools and Supplies

The following items are some of the tools and supplies I gathered to build the kids art table:

Tools

• Pocket-Hole Jig
• Track saw
• Miter saw
• Bandsaw (alternatively you can use a jigsaw)
• Orbital sander
• Drill / Driver

Supplies

• 1 sheet of 3/4″ Plywood
• 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
• Acrylic Sheet 20″ x 32″
• White Paint
• Gloss clear coat
• Cardstock in a variety of colors (the hexagons)
• Die cutting machine (for cutting out hexagons)

How to build a Kids Art Table

I did not deviate much from the previous design of the kids art table. I removed the paper roll feature because over time we used it less with my son’s art table. I added an acrylic sheet to cover the table surface to make clean up (of paint, clay, markers and crayons) easier.  I recessed the table top surface so the acrylic sheets stays in place and won’t slide off the table.

Step 1: Break plywood sheet down to final dimensions

Here’s the cut list for art table. I altered the dimensions to work with the pre-cut size of the acrylic sheet.

• Legs – 23 1/4″ x 3 1/2″ (4)
• Short aprons – 18 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ (4)
• Long aprons – 25″ x 3 1/2″ (2)
• Tray – 5 1/2″ x 20 1/4″ (2)
• Short sides – 20 1/4″ x 3 1/2″ (4)
• Long sides – 46 1/4″ x 3 1/2″ (2)
• Table top – 32 1/4″ x 20 1/4″

Step 2: Taper legs

Add a slight taper to the art table legs. I used my bandsaw to cut the taper. A jigsaw will work well here too.

Step 3: Drill pockets holes and assemble the pieces together

I used pocket hole joinery to build the art table.

Step 4: Apply a finish

Conceal the rough raw edges of the plywood. Sand. Prime and paint the the table.

For the geometric pattern, instead of painting hexagons I cheated and used cardstock. I used my Silhouette Portrait to cut out the hexagon shapes. I glued the hexagons in place and sealed them with a clear coat.

DIY Kids Art Table with Hexagon Geometric Pattern

I’m pretty happy with how the art table came out. It was a fun build to make use of a single sheet of plywood.  Specials thanks to the Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest and Purebond Plywood for sponsoring the challenge!