DIY Kid's Furniture

Find a wooden side table, child's table or small table in your garage or local thrift store. Depending on the size and age of the child, measure the height and saw the legs off at the bottom so the tabletop is between 20 and 24 inches from the ground. Choose the taller height to accommodate growth and get more use from the table.

Wipe down and sand the table lightly to create a clean surface that new paint will bond to. Line the tabletop with blue painter's tape to create a sharp edge between the chalkboard paint top and the table's sides.

Paint the legs and table edges with the color or colors of medium to high-gloss paint you've chosen. Paint all one color or mix colors for a circus theme, painting alternate legs and table sides in different shades.

When the paint dries to a hard finish, use stencils to trace flowers, butterflies, fruit, rocket ships, animals, alphabet letters and numbers or other motifs on table legs and then paint the designs with hobby paints. Spray a light coat of protective clear lacquer on the stenciled artwork.

Edge the tabletop with blue painter's tape to keep drips off the sides and paint the top of the table with chalkboard paint. The paint now comes in about 2 dozen colors so you don't have to limit your choice to blackboard. Regular black chalkboard is a classic look, however, and does show chalk marks to advantage. Give the table two coats, following manufacturer's directions for sanding, or not, between coats.

Set a few stools or children's chairs around the table and place a plastic container of colored chalk on it. Invite the residential or neighborhood budding Picassos to practice their letters or create a masterpiece.