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DIY Mud Pie Tables

A mud-pie table, sometimes called a mud-pie kitchen or a sand and water table, is a messy outdoor play station for children. The mud-pie table allows children to experiment with texture and consistency when mixing sand or dirt and water. Adding water wheels, shovels and other traditional water table toys will allow children to construct and destruct with water, exploring the scientific concepts of compaction and erosion. Adding kitchen accessories to the mud-pie table with will allow children to use their imagination and make four course meals of dirt and water.

Things You'll Need

1-by-4-inch board, 12 feet long
2-by-4-inch board, 12 feet long
1- by-10-inch board, 12 feet long
Circular saw
Carpenter's square
2-inch deck screws
Electric screw driver
Plastic concrete-mixing tub, 24 by 36 inches
Sanding blocks in 60, 100, and 150 grit
Stain with waterproofing
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Using a circular saw, cut all of your boards to length before beginning the project. Cut two sections of 1-by-10-inch board 36 1/8 inches long, and two sections 22 5/8 inches long. Cut two sections of 1-by-4-inch board 22 5/8 inches long, and two sections 34 7/8 inches long. Cut four sections of 2-by-4-inch board 23 inches long.
- 2
  Form a rectangle with the two long sections of 1-by-10-inch board and the two short sections of 1-by-10-inch boards. Set the boards on their edge and lay them so that the short boards are fitted inside the long boards. This will frame the table top.
- 3
  Square the corners using the carpenter's square. It is important that the table be square so that the tub will set into it. When the corners are squared, screw them together using the 2-inch deck screws.
- 4
  Attach the 34 7/8-inch long 1-by-4-inch just inside the bottom side of the table frame with 2-inch screws. These boards should run along the long side of the table frame already created.
- 5
  Cut a notch out of the 2-by-4-inch boards using the circular saw. This will form the table legs. The notch should be cut from the top edge of the board, and should measure 2 inches wide and 5 inches long. The side board of the table top will set down into these notches.
- 6
  Attach the legs to the table top, one inch from the end of the table using 2-inch screws. Make sure that the table top sits snugly into the notch cut in the leg board. A good fit will make sure that the table is capable of supporting the weight of the dirt and water when the table is filled.
- 7
  Sand the sharp corner that protrudes at the top of each leg. Start with a rough grain sanding block, like a 60 grain paper and sand the corner. Use blocks of increasingly fine sanding paper to give the leg a smooth and finished corner free of splinters or rough patches.
- 8
  Run 22 5/8-inch long 1-by-4-inch slats horizontally across the table, parallel to the table ends. These slats should rest on top of the 1-by-4-inch support boards. Do not secure them in place with screws or other adhesive. They should be adjustable to support the weight of the table.
- 9
  Stain and finish the finished table structure. It is important that the table be coated with waterproofing and sealed to protect the wooden surface from outdoor elements and water play. Water seal and stain should be applied with a paintbrush according to packaging directions.
- 10
  Set a plastic tub into the table. This is the basin in which play material will be housed.
- 11
  Fill the tub with about 2 inches of soil, sand or water. Do not over fill your tub. Overfilling can put excess weight on the table, and leave less space for play, causing mud to fall over the edges and create a mess.

Educational Toys