Lately I’ve been scouring Craigslist and the thrift stores in search of a water/sand table for my youngest with no luck. Looking at the retail prices, there was no way I was paying $60-$200 for one. Then yesterday while in Walmart I had an idea…
I found this Sterilite 41 quart storage box and asked my hubby to make a simple wood frame for it. Good man that he is, he went to work. Here’s what you’ll need if you’d like to complete this project:
- Sterilite 41 quart storage box with lid (found in-store at my local Walmart).
- 1″ x 3″ lumber. We opted for cedar.
- Saw
- Screws or nails
He started by measuring the dimensions of the Sterilite box. Depending on the size of the box you purchases, your lengths may be different. For ours, we needed the lengths shown above:
(3) 33 3/4″ pieces
- two for top frame
- one for support brace that goes underneath the length of the box
(4) 16 5/8 pieces
- two for top frame
- two for support brace
(4) 22″ pieces for legs
REMEMBER: These lengths will only work if you use the same box we did. Otherwise, measure your box just below the lip to get your lengths.
1) Make the frame.
2) Attach the legs.
4) Attach braces for extra support as shown below.
Super easy! We paid $9 for the Sterilite box and $9 for the lumber. Final price: $18!
It was such a huge hit with our little guy that we made a second one for sand.
The beauty part is that when playtime is over, you can put the lid on so everything inside stays clean!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
So funny! I did the exact same thing (same container) yesterday! Great minds think alike
I had seen a few tutorials online using a cement-mixing bin, but I wanted one with a lid. Looks fun!
Awesome!! My favorite part is being able to put the lid on after!!
Oh, sheesh…
I meant that I hope you don’t mind me sharing your water table on my 101 Days of Summer Fun for Kids post….and I accidentally posted my previous post above! You can just delete that! It’s been a long weekend!
Here’s where I actually posted the link back to your water table: http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/kids/diy-water-table-or-sand-table/
If you’d prefer me not to have the photo or something, just let me know!!
Thanks Stacie – feel free to use the photo
Thank you so much for sharing, I really want to make one now
What a great idea!
What a great idea ! We have a ton of these containers around the house (my boys store their Legos in them). Your tutorial is so simple…we will definitely be trying this out. Thanks for the inspiration !
Thank you SO much!! I have been looking for an easy DIY water table. I blogged about my process making/copying this oh-so-helpful tutorial: http://makeathomemomma.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-watersand-tables.html. I can’t wait to let my 18 month old play tomorrow!!
Thanks Kate – so glad you could use it. I love your pics!
I LOVE this idea! Best part is that you can put the cover on so that animals cannot get in! Thanks for sharing!
You’re my super hero!! LOL! I have been wanting a water table but like you I’ve refused to pay the high price. I’ve been using thesmaller sterlite boxes or large plastic bowls on the ground. I am so excited to try to make a base for the box. Btw, the sand box is also a great idea!
AWESOME!! Can’t beat the price and the results…. and it even included labor. LOL!
Thanks for the tip.
I love this idea! Thank. You!
This. Is. AWESOME!!! We have three big dogs and can’t really have a sand box but this would be perfect. I’ve forwarded the link on to my hubby to see if he can build this too. I’ll definitely post a link on my blog back to this project.
Thanks for this great idea. I saw this a while ago and finally made it a few weeks ago for my 15 month old – he loves it – plays multiple times every day! Love being able to do it yourself and save $$!
So glad you like it Jaimee. We have had ours for several months now and it is still a favorite activity for our little guy!
Great tutorial… we just made two… very easy and exactly what we were looking for! Thanks for sharing!
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