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Kids' Multipurpose Play Bench
Keep the kids entertained for hours with this simple to make play bench. Add sand and water to the refillable basins for extra, hands-on fun.
Debbie Wolfe
Materials Needed:
- legs: (4) 2x3 23 inches
- leg supports: (4) 1x4 48 inches (4) 1x4 22 ⅞ inches
- table top: (4) 1x6 46 ½ inches
- cross pieces: (4) 1x4 22 ¾ inches
- tool rack: (2) 1x4 24 inches (1) 1x4 48 inches
- mitre saw
- jigsaw
- drill (bits and accessories)
- 2 inch and 1 1/2 inch exterior screws
Make the Legs
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Mark the location of the legs on the front and rear upper (48 inch) leg supports. Mark a ¾ inch margin at each end, and along the top edge from the ends inward 4 inches.
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Mark the location of the legs on the front and rear upper (48 inch) leg supports (Image 1). Mark a ¾ inch margin at each end, and along the top edge from the ends inward 4 inches (Image 2). Using these marks to guide leg placement will allow for these supports to overlap the end supports and for the top to recess into the leg assembly (Image 3 and 4).
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Attach two legs to the front upper leg support using 2 inch exterior screws. The legs should be lined up on the marks allowing a margin at each end and at the top (Image 1). Make a mark on each leg 4 inches from the bottom of the upper support. Attach the lower (48 inch) leg support with the top edge lined up with the mark on the legs. The end margins should be the same size as those on the upper support (Image 2).
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Assemble the rear legs with their upper and lower (48 inch) leg supports, mirroring the front assembly (Image 1). Measure to ensure the distance between the legs are the same (Image 2). Complete the leg assembly by installing the upper and lower (22 ⅞ inch) leg supports on each end (Image 3). Use 2 inch exterior screws to attach them to the legs, lined up inside the margins of the front and rear leg assemblies (Image 4).
Make the Tabletop
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Lay the (4) 48 inch 1x6 boards side by side, with their ends even with one another (Image 1). Mark lines 2 inches and 14 inches in from each end (Image 2). Line up the 22 ¾ inch 1x4’s to the inside of the two-inch and 14-inch lines (Image 3).Use 1 ½ inch screws to secure the tabletop planks on the cross pieces (Image 4). Insert the tabletop into the top of the leg assembly (Image 5).
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Mark two 10 ½ x 12 ½ inch rectangles on the tabletop between the cross pieces (Image 1 and 2). Make a starter hole in the tabletop to help with getting the jigsaw blade in more easily (Image 3). Cut them out with a jigsaw (Image 4).
Debbie Wolfe
Debbie Wolfe
Attach the 48-inch arm of the tool rack to the ends of the two 24 inch uprights using 1 ½ inch screws (Image 1). Attach the tool rack to the back legs, through the leg supports, with the bottom of the uprights lined up with the bottom edge of the lower leg supports. Using two-inch exterior screws (Image 2).
Paint and Enjoy
Debbie Wolfe
Finish with exterior paint. Insert plastic wash basins into the rectangular holes. Fill one with sand and one with water and let the kids play.
