DIY Kids Table With Storage

Learn how to build a DIY Kids Table with storage. The hidden compartment under the top to help hide all the clutter on the children’s desk!

Collage of Kids desk with storage and child opening storage compartment with text overlay

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Are you looking for a desk for to your elementary aged child?

You could make a simple little desk and chair but child’s desk can easily turn into a big mess if there is no storage.

Especially with online learning or homeschooling – you need to have everything accessible but not visible enough to distracts them.

This easy DIY children’s desk with hidden storage is the perfect answer!

It has hidden storage inside which is easily accessible and supported by special hinges that make it safe for little fingers.

This fun easy DIY student desk stores everything inside the table to keep the top uncluttered and usable.

Just lift the tabletop, and they can get what they need. When they are done, everything is stored away almost as if nothing happened 🙂

DIY Kids desk with lid closed

I designed this a couple of years ago and built one for my daughter’s fifth birthday. I also built a few different designs over time for friends and family.

Be sure to check out all the pictures at the bottom to get all your inspiration on the designs and modifications! 

There is a lot of inspiration there!

Related: DIY Lego Table with Storage for Small Spaces

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Table of Contents

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Materials Needed –

How to Make the Kids Table With Storage

Below is the video showing how to build this easy table with storage and the chair to go with it.

Step by step instructions for the desk follow below.

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How to Build –

Step 1 – Build Sides

Start by building 2 frames using the 2 x 2 legs and the long apron using 3/4″ pocket holes and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue

DIY childrens desk legs ready for assembly

Step 2 – Build the Leg Frame

Build the frame by attaching the short aprons and bringing 3/4″ pocket holes and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Be sure to check and correct for square.

basic leg frame for DIY Kids desk with storage

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Step 3 – Cut Base

Cut out the corners on the 1/4″ thick plywood sheet or hardboard using a jigsaw.

cutting ends of bottom of the kids storage desk

The best way to do this is to keep the frame on the plywood and mark out the corners to guarantee a precise fit. 

Step 4 – Attach Bottom

Place the frame upside down and attach the 1/4″ plywood to the frame using finish nails and wood glue

attaching base of kids desk with storage

Step 5 – Prepare Top

Cut out the tabletop and prepare it for painting.

Step 6 – Paint /Stain

Fill all the holes with wood filler, sand, paint/stain the entire frame and the tabletop.

Step 7 – Attach Top

Place the tabletop upside down and the frame on top.

Leave 3/4″ space on the front and the sides and 1″ on the back. Attach the top to the frame using the hinges. 

attaching hinges to the kids desk with storage

Step 8 – Add Support Hinges

This is the most important attach the toy box lid support hinges on the inside of the table per instructions from the manufacturer. 

This supports the lid when it is open and keeps the little fingers from being pinched.

adding support hinges to kids table with storage lid

That’s it… it is fairly straightforward and a great beginner woodworking project.

Easy DIY Kids table with storage | Build a schoolhouse desk. Easy beginner's build

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And the kid’s love the storage compartment and I am pretty sure the parent’s love it too 🙂

Plans for Children’s Desk With Storage

You can download the plans for this desk with the hidden storage PLUS a matching chair to go with it below.

GET PLANS FOR KIDS STORAGE TABLE AND MATCHING CHAIR

I built this set for my daughter’s 5th birthday.

She couldn’t decide between rainbows and frozen and so “rainbow snowflakes” is what she got!

The design is from Jessica Sawyer Designs which I printed on fabric at spoonflower, covered with iron-on-vinyl and upholstered the chairs.

You can find the details in the DIY kid’s chair tutorial.

Easy DIY Kids table with storage | Build a schoolhouse desk. Easy beginner's build

More Ideas – Kid’s Art Table With Storage

These pictures were taken from a phone camera a long time ago and aren’t the best quality but you get the ideas!

This one with the Moroccan lattice pattern was one of the favorites. 

Easy DIY Kids table with storage | Build a schoolhouse desk. Easy beginner's build

It has an art paper roll holder on one end too.

Easy DIY Kids table with storage | Build a schoolhouse desk. Easy beginner's build

Here is one with a retro print with a removable art paper holder.

It was a lot of fun to make! I traced the pattern on the fabric and painted the top.

Easy DIY Kids table with storage | Build a schoolhouse desk. Easy beginner's build

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Those holes on the top are for a removable art paper roll holder. The holder has 4 dowel stubs on the bottom which go into the holes on the tabletop.

Easy DIY Kids table with storage | Build a schoolhouse desk. Easy beginner's build

And here is another one with a permanent art paper holder. It was easy to make – just split the top – attach a 1×3 at the end and subtract that from the top.

Easy DIY Kids table with storage | Build a schoolhouse desk. Easy beginner's build

All of these have vinyl -covered seats. They are definitely a godsend for all the messy paint-filled activities! 

So… there you have it!

A whole bunch of ways to design the kid’s play table with storage and make it fun yet functional!

Which design is your favorite? Mine is still the rainbow snowflakes 🙂

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More Kid’s Furniture Ideas –

Check out 29 other DIY ideas for Kid’s rooms!

DIY Kids Table with Storage

DIY Kids Table with Storage

Yield: 1 kids table with storage

How to build a DIY Kids Table with storage. The hidden compartment under the top to help hide all the clutter on the childrens desk!

Instructions

    1. Start by building 2 frames using the 2 x 2 legs and the long apron using 3/4" pocket holes and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
    2. Build the frame by attaching the short aprons and bringing 3/4" pocket holes and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
    3. Cut out the corners on the 1/4" thick plywood sheet using a jigsaw.
    4. Place the frame upside down and attach the 1/4" plywood to the frame using finish nails and wood glue.
    5. Cut out the tabletop and prepare it for painting.
    6. Fill all the holes with wood filler, sand, paint/stain the entire frame and the tabletop.
    7. Place the tabletop upside down and the frame on top. Leave 3/4" space on the front and the sides and 1" on the back. Attach the top to the frame using the hinges.
    8. Attach the toy box lid support on the inside of the table per instructions from the manufacturer.

Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"

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10 Comments

  1. Thank you for the post. It made my weekend to be able to build a nice piece for my son and get it done in one day.

    1. Awesome!! I would love to see the piece you built!! Love for you to add it to the brag gallery “Submit a project” in the top menu!

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