DIY Desk for a Preschooler

Lay one sheet of 3/4-inch plywood measuring 19-by-25 inches, flat on a work surface for the bottom of the desk top. The desk top will be an open-front box, so that paper, pencil or craft items can be stored inside.

Place a sheet of 5-by-25 inch, 3/4-inch plywood along the back 25-inch side of the bottom of the desk top and glue it upright, flush with the edge. Place two 5-by-17.5-inch pieces of plywood along the 19-inch side of the bottom of the desk top, making corners with the upright sheet already glued along the back edge. Glue in place and leave to dry for an hour or until the glue is set.

Turn the desk top over, so the bottom sheet is now on top, and use 1 5/8-inch nails hammered every 3 to 4 inches around the perimeter of the bottom sheet to secure the sides and back of the desk top box. Leave the desk top wrong-side-up for the time being.

Place a plank of 12-inch 2-by-2-inch lumber flat on the work surface for the brace between the legs. Stand a piece of 18-inch 2-by-2-inch lumber upright at each end of the brace for two legs of the desk. The legs should be perpendicular to the brace. Secure the legs in place with two 2 1/2-inch screws driven through the side of the legs into the ends of the brace. Repeat with another brace and two legs so you have two leg units complete.

Place the leg units brace-side down on top of the desk top bottom, 2 inches in from the 19-inch sides, and there will be 1 1/2 inches overlap between the ends of the legs and the 25-inch sides of the desk top.

Secure the legs to the underside of the desk top using four 2 1/2-inch screws evenly spaced through each leg brace. Turn the desk back upright, so that it is now standing on the legs.

Place the remaining sheet of 19-by-25 inch plywood over the top of the desk top box for the top of the desk top and secure around the perimeter with finishing nails hammered every 2 to 3 inches.

Fill the nail holes with wood putty and let dry. Sand the desk, and then paint it in the desired color.