Do your kids love Legos but you’re constantly stepping on them? It’s time to give their Lego collection a dedicated spot in your home. Building a Lego table is an easy, inexpensive, and fun project to encourage your kids’ creative play. Read on to learn how to build your own Lego table and gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing where your kids’ Legos will stay.
1. Benefits of Building a Lego Table
Lego is an iconic children’s toy that has been enchanting young minds for generations. Whether it be used to construct working robots or a stocking-stuffer present, there is no denying its charm. But, did you know that by affording your little one their very own Lego table, your home can become a place of imaginative play? Here we discuss some of the benefits that incorporating a Lego table can bring into your home:
- Instilling creativity: Lego blocks stimulate creative minds, allowing children to design one-of-a-kind creations with ease. The classic building blocks give kids the freedom to explore a variety of constructions – from vehicles to towers, and anything in between!
- Improving concentration: Completing a Lego set demands focus, knowledge and practice – encouraging kids to stay on task and persevere. Consequently, this can help them in other school subjects and home tasks – fostering an environment of productive playtime.
- Relaxation: On top of being educational, playing with Lego can also be calming. In particular, adult fans of Lego (A.F.O.L’s) have championed the practice for its therapeutic benefits. So, why not let your children explore this mindfulness too?
- Learning through play: Assembling Lego pieces develops problem-solving and work with instructions, through a much more fun and gratifying process. This helps children understand the concept of anticipation, sometimes even setting them up for a lifetime of achievement.
- Family time: It doesn’t matter how young or old the constructor is – everyone has the power to build something beautiful with Lego blocks. As a result, it can be a great way to bring a family together – tremendous fun for all ages.
Therefore, by building a Lego table and encouraging creative play, you can open up parental opportunities to not only enhance your children’s development, but also contribute to plenty of family bonding.
2. Preparing to Build a Lego Table
Having the right supplies is essential when it comes to building a Lego table. Therefore, make sure you have the following:
- Lego base board
- Lego theme boards (if desired)
- Screws and washers
- Screwdriver or drill
- Measuring tape
- Table legs
It is important to measure the area that will house your Lego table before starting the process. Determine where the edges of the table will be and the height that you want it to be. After you have the measurements, select the table legs that you want to use and cut them to the appropriate length. Unpackage the Lego base board and use the measurements to determine how many pieces of the board you need to make the top of the table.
Affix the Base Board to Table Legs
Gently sand down the top faces of the table legs and attach each one to a corner of the Lego base board. Use the screws and washers for this step. This will provide a sturdy setting for everything that is placed on the table.
Add Theme Boards
If you decide to use Lego themed boards to create different color schemes for your child to work on, you can affix the boards to the top of the Lego base board. Simply use the screws and washers to attach the boards securely. This will help to maximize creative play and provide a vibrant playing experience for your child.
3. Materials Needed to Build a Lego Table
When equipping your kid’s playroom, a Lego table is an excellent choice; after all, who doesn’t like building and playing with Lego blocks? Here we’re looking at some items needed to build an awesome Lego table from scratch:
- Table Legs: Start with a set of table legs; 4 are usually enough for a small table, depending on the size of the table top you will be using.
- Table Top: The table top should be large enough to accommodate a good number of Legos and should have rimmed edges to prevent water spills.
- Lego Baseplate: Make sure to choose a baseplate that is specifically designed for Lego blocks, this will ensure that your child’s Lego constructions remain firmly in place.
- Drawers: Install drawers underneath the table for easy access to bricks and other project components; sliding drawers are best as they don’t take up much space.
- Lighting: Add a few battery-operated LED lights to make the table more fun and inviting for your little one to build new creations.
Once you’ve got all the materials, you’re ready to build a Lego table fit for all kinds of creative play!
4. DIY Instructions for Building a Lego Table
Lego blocks are a classic childhood toy, used for decades to stimulate children’s creativity and imagination. However, as children today become accustomed to constantly changing electronics, it can be hard to keep them interested in a traditional toy set. One great way to get children re-engaged with classic toys is to incorporate them into a contemporary setup. Building a custom Lego table creates an exciting setup to add structure and organized play to their Lego adventures.
Tools Required:
- Pencil
- Miter saw
- Drill and screws
- Construction adhesive
- T-square
Step 1: Measure, Mark and Cut
- Measure and mark the dimensions of the four sides of the table using a pencil and T-square.
- Measure and mark the four corner angles.
- Cut the four sides and four corner angles using a miter saw.
- Sand the cut edges with fine-grain sandpaper.
- Lay the cut pieces on a flat surface and check for accuracy.
Step 2: Assemble the Frame
- Position the four edges of the frame together, joining the four corners.
- Pre-drill holes into the corners and sides of the frame.
- Secure the sides together with screws.
- Use a drill with a countersink bit to hide the screws.
- Use construction adhesive for a stronger connection.
- Let the frame dry for 24 hours.
Step 3: Secure the Top
- Cut a sheet of plywood the size of the frame using the miter saw.
- Centre the plywood on top of the frame.
- Pre-drill holes into the corners and sides of the plywood.
- Secure the plywood to the frame with screws.
- Fill any gaps between the frame and the plywood with construction adhesive.
- Let the top dry for 24 hours.
Step 4: Finish the Lego Table
- Add custom features like charging ports, drawers, or bins.
- Paint the Lego table in your chosen colour.
- Enhance the table by gluing a rubber mat with Lego blocks.
- Let the table dry for 24 hours.
Building a custom Lego table encourages creative play in children of all ages. It’s an exciting way to bring structure to the classic toy and make for rewarding Lego adventures. With the right tools and materials, this DIY project can be completed in a day.
5. Tips for Maintaining a Lego Table
Tip #1: Choose the Right Table
When considering a table to build a Lego table with, make sure you select one that’s at a comfortable height for the person who’ll be using it. Consider the height of the table in relation to their age, and the type of Legos they’ll be using. It’s important to ensure your Lego table is suitable for the age of the child. Consider smaller tables for younger children, or tables with removable or adjustable pieces for larger children.
Tip #2: Create Convenient Storage
The Lego table should have ample storage to hold the Legos when not in use. An ideal Lego table should have various compartments, drawers, or shelves to keep the Legos organized and neat. Hanging baskets, bins, or boxes for storing pieces can also make clean-up time easier.
Tip #3: Allow for Easy Clean-up
Consider attaching a lip to the edges of the table, as this will help contain the Legos while in use, and also make it easier to pick up pieces. For added convenience add caster wheels to the table, or purchase a Lego table with built-in wheels. Wheels make it easier to move the table around when construction and creative play is taking place.
Tip #4: Establish Clear Rules
When children use the table, make sure there are clear rules in place regarding the Legos. Establish safety guidelines, like no throwing or hitting and encourage them to put pieces back where they belong when finished. Explain what behavior is acceptable when around the table and Lego pieces.
Tip #5: Avoid Overcrowding
It can be tempting to fill the entire surface of the table with Legos, but try to avoid this. Keep it relatively sparse so they’ll have enough space while they’re building their constructions. This will also help your child better focus on the task at hand, and ensure the table is not overwhelmed with pieces.
6. Ideas for Creative Play at the Lego Table
Legos are an engaging and timeless toy that taps into kids’ creativity and imaginative play. That’s why incorporating a Lego table into a playroom or child’s bedroom is a great idea. Here are 6 fun ideas to encourage creative play with a Lego table:
- Building Challenges: Test your kiddo’s skills with building challenges. For example, can they build a tower or bridge from one corner of the table to the other in a given amount of time, using the limited pieces available?
- Save the City: This game will spur more than just engineering skills. Together with your child create a Lego city with roads, cars and other items that inhabit a typical city. Then, they must come up with a creative and different way to save the city.
- The Storytelling Game: Here’s a great game for children who like to tell stories. Ask them to tell a story as they build with Legos. They can pick out individual pieces and characters to build a story with an interesting plot.
- Free Building: Let your child or children go crazy with their own free-building projects. After setting a timer, see what kind of creations they can manage! You may be surprised by what they come up with.
- Superhero Challenge: Let their imaginations take off with some hero-themed building. Randomly give them some Lego pieces and then designate a superhero to create from the pieces. See how many unique superheroes they can create.
- Make it Move: While building, ask children to come up with innovative ways to make their constructions move, using whatever pieces they have available. You can even help them with ideas, depending on their skill level with Legos.
The possibilities for creative play with a Lego table are endless! Give your children the space they need to explore and create endless avenues of fun. Building a Lego Table is a fun and creative activity that can provide hours of entertainment for parents and their kids. With the right instructions and materials, you can easily create a great table that will provide a foundation for your child’s imaginative play. Put in the time and effort and you can end up with a Lego Table that your children will enjoy playing with for years to come.