Turn an old table into an indoor chalkboard to extend the opportunities for drawing, mark making and writing for your little ones! So simple and quick to do and provides a fun and quirky addition to the art area or play room!
We have a couple of these £5 Ikea “Lack” side tables for the girls to play and create on. I painted one with the blackboard paint from when I made the outdoor chalkboard table last summer. It took just one coat all over, with one more on the top, and 24 hours later it was dry and ready to use!
Before and after shots!
I put the coloured chalk in a little terracotta plant pot and gave them a dry-wipe eraser and they now LOVE drawing and colouring on the table then quickly wiping it all off again!
Hello Sunshine!
Drawing and mark making at this angle is very good for young children as they can stand up to do it and their arms move freely at this height. Instead of being cramped and uncomfortable, they can draw with large swooping movements directed from the shoulder and elbow, which is perfectly age and developmentally appropriate.
Kristin says
Really love this idea.
Deborah @ Teach Preschool says
Pure Genius! Thanks for sharing:)
Megan @CoffeeCupsandCrayons says
We bought supplies to do this with our train table but I’ve been a little nervous about how it was going to turn out. Love the way yours looks! Can’t wait to paint ours now!
Anna @ The Imagination Tree says
Do it!
voom says
i did this on a toy chest lid, when the children lift the lids there are bags on the inside of the lids containing chalks, sponges ect..they love it 🙂
Jode says
lovely idea…we were thinking of doing this for our table on the verandah…perfect for those rainy days!Love the sunshine!!
Setjay says
Is this a “directed” activity ?
If not, how do you do to prevent them using chalks elsewhere than on the table ?
Kim says
I think if you want your children to play on this independently, you need to know that they are ready for this, that they understand that the chalks are to be used on the table only. I’d do this now with my 3 and 7 years olds. I wouldn’t have done it a year ago !!
Kim says
year olds, not years olds – too tired !!
Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree says
Love this idea….now I just need to get a table!
Growing a Jeweled Rose says
My girls would love this! It i perfect for little ones to create on. Great idea!
Amanda @ Gratefully Growing in Grace says
I like the size of that one!
We made a train/chalk table. It’s bigger than yours and has a small lip to catch runaway trains. Check it out here:
http://gratefullygrowingingrace.blogspot.com/2011/12/homemade-train-table-at-our-house.html
My youngest has been using chalk at our table since she could stand. Chalk rubs off most surfaces very easily. I’m much more inclined to leave chalk out as opposed to crayons.
Julia Deering says
A Lack table never looked so good! My two are old enough – sort of – to know where and where not not put chalk now; outside on the ground – yes, on the chalk board – yes. On our sofa? – no. I totally blew this the other day though – I said ‘go for it!’ when they wanted to make a football pitch with chalk on our pouffe. It’s black PVC – actually a great surface for chalks (and can easily be wiped off). Talk about double standards!
School Sparks Renee says
That blackboard paint is amazing! Renee
The Monko says
So funny that i found this post today. we bought some blackboard paint yesterday to turn out old coffee table into a chalk board for Goblin. Great minds!
Terri Thompson says
What a great idea!! This would be so much fun to have!
Kimira says
Nice. I usually dont bother with chalkboard paint as long as the surface is dark. i have a very dark wooden cupboard that goes very well for chalkboard art.
mummysknee.com says
Amazing idea. Have got the table & paint now. Will sort it out. Thank you, it’s genius
M_a says
When I was little I used the back of a dark blue file folder as a chalk board, worked great, I might try it again now that I have kids.