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One Awesome Momma

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How To Make An Easy & Inexpensive DIY Sensory Table Like A Pro

My kids’ favorite area at their classroom has always been their sensory table. They’ve always spent a lot of time in there. I cannot see why not; it’s fun, exciting, and a great way for them to explore the world around them. I’ve always wanted to get them one; but I didn’t want to spend another $100 for it especially when we already got them a sand table. So when my Dad arrived from the Philippines last March, we utilized his carpentry skills and asked him to do a DIY sensory table for the kids. Today, I will be sharing how to do an easy & inexpensive DIY sensory table that looks like it was professionally-made.

How To Make A DIY Sensory Table

Here, I will list down all the materials my Dad used; and the things he did to be able to give my kids the most amazing DIY sensory table.

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Materials You Will Need For Your DIY Sensory Table

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Making Your DIY Sensory Table

The Top Frame

First, we’re going to make the top frame for your DIY sensory table. It is what’s going to hold the underbed box.

long underbed box with the top frame for the DIY sensory table for kids with a text

long underbed box with a top frame - DIY sensory table for kids

  1. Get the measurement of the top (the part where the lid sits) of the underbed box directly below the opening; then mark your lumber according to these measurements. The idea is for the lip of the underbed box to sit on the frame to allow you to cover it without any difficulties. NOTE: Use the top measurement to cut the lumber for the lower part of the frame.
  2. Once you’ve finish marking your lumber, cut it.
  3. Using screw, put the pieces for the top frame together. You’re going to have 2 rectangle frames (of the same size) that aren’t attached to each other.

top frame for DIY sensory table for kids

long underbed box sitting on top of the top frame for the DIY sensory table for kids

  1. Add slats to the lower part of the top frame (where the underbed box will be sitting) to make sure that your DIY sensory table will be able to support anything you’ll put in it.
  2. Put the sweater bin inside both frames to make sure it will fit.
  3. Add metal braces on all corners at the bottom for additional support.



The Base

[one-half-first]details of the table legs of the DIY sensory table for kids
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[one-half]details of the top frame of the DIY sensory table for kids
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  1. Have your child stand and measure from feet to stomach. That will tell you how high your DIY sensory table should be. Use that measurement to cut the legs of the table.
  2. To have a DIY sensory table that doesn’t rock and isn’t flimsy, form the base of your DIY sensory table by connecting two lumber pieces together (perpendicular to each other).
  3. Attach the legs of the table to the top frame using screwdriver for a sturdier DIY sensory table.

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base of the diy sensory table for kids with a text
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details of the base of the DIY sensory table for kids showing the table leg and the wood brace
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  1. Once the legs are attached to the top frame, measure an area from the middle part of the table leg  to the bottom part of the top frame, forming a triangle. Use that measurement to cut up lumber pieces to make your own wood braces.
  2. Add the wood braces on all 4 table legs for additional support.

The Finishing Touches

details of the top frame of the DIY sensory table for kids with stained wood

details of the DIY sensory table for kids with stained wood

  1. Use sandpaper to smoothen the entire table, including all edges.
  2. Paint your DIY sensory table with wood stain to protect it from water spills.
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And there you go! Here is your easy and inexpensive DIY sensory table. It’s now ready to be used on different sensory table activities.

finished product - DIY sensory table with stained wood

finished product - DIY sensory table with stained wood

We’ve gotten lots of compliments from those who have been to our house and have seen the DIY sensory table made by my Dad. The most common comment that we’ve gotten is that how it looks professionally-made.

The kids LOVE their DIY sensory table. They were very excited to use it as soon as they found out it was done. Even I was very excited for them to use it. I immediately filled it with some water beads and plastic fish toys. Since then, we’ve used their DIY sensory table on a lot of different sensory activities.

toddlers playing in their DIY sensory table filled with water beads and plastic fish toys

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step by step process on how to make a DIY sensory table for toddlers with a text How to make an easy & inexpensive DIY Sensory Table Like A Pro

What did you think of this post? Does your child love sensory table? What’s their favorite sensory table activity? Have you ever done a DIY sensory table before? How did it turn out? Let me know in the comments. You know I always love to hear from you.

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Comments

    • Thanks Ayanna! That is so true, we use it mostly use it inside because it has been raining for the past few weeks. But it can absolutely be used outside.

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    • Thank you! That is so true, I only had to get the underbed box because the lumber are upcycled. They were from a DIY baby gate that my dad made too.

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    • Thanks Leigh! He is such a very talented man! He used to build cabinets and closets for me when I was a kid. He used to build houses back in the Philippines when he was working.

      Reply

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