How to make a Lego table by upcycling your train table
We wait and wait and wait for what seems like forever for summer to arrive. We can’t wait for the freedom, the anticipation of lazy mornings and fun filled afternoons. How quickly that all changes after the heat really kicks in and we are 4-5 weeks into our summer routine. Just about the time that the heat really kicks in the boredom also starts to creep its way in. You know what I am talking about. It is starting to get too hot to play outside for any length of time which means the kids are playing inside more and more which means you are starting to hear the chorus of “I’m bored”. Even a day at the pool starts to lose it’s appeal after a few weeks of frequent visits. This summer I have a plan to keep the kids entertained when the summer boredom blues grab a hold of us. I have been dreaming of creating a Lego table for my kids using their existing train table. I decided to wait until mid summer to surprise them with this new fun place to play.
How to make a Lego Table
So I started with the train table we have had since our first child uttered his first “choo-choo.” I bought it at a yard sale for $40. It was in great shape and has seen a lot of use over the years. The top comes off easily and can actually be flipped over. This is where the inspiration for this project began. I have wanted to make them a table just for playing with Legos. Because even though you and I and the rest of the world can understand that the beauty of Legos is that you can create something and then tear it apart and create something us, my boys want to play with their creations and keep them intact ofr long periods of time. Thus every flat surface in their bedrooms is covered with Lego creations. I thought that I could give them a place dedicated to Legos and still preserve the train table for a while longer since my youngest still enjoys his trains. Speaking of my littlest, he is 5 and so wants to be like his older brother who is 9. He gets so frustrated sometimes when he is trying to make Lego creations just like his big brother. I have found that LEGO® JUNIORS are a great way to help him build his confidence while he is building with Legos. LEGO® JUNIORS is designed to provide just the right amount of challenge and creative play for young children. Quick start pieces and numbered pre-packed bags enable the sets to be built without the help from Mom or Dad— which makes any small builder extra proud! He loves it when he can do it all by himself and it is “cool”!
I bought some Lego pieces called bases. These are the thin flat “foundation” pieces that are usually green. I found some that look like city streets and decided to use those as a stating point. I also picked up lots of smaller thin 4×4 green pieces and 4×6 blue pieces to make grass and water features. I laid out all the pieces and we moved them around until we settled on a good layout. I let the kids help, after all this is a play space that I am designing just for them.
Once we settled on a design I got out the krazy glue. Warning: this may be a little unsettling to some who recognize the krazy glue as the “kragle.” Simply explain that all you are using it for is to secure the bottom layer so they have a place to build on and that no minfigures will be harmed in the making of the Lego train table.
I started by securing the big pieces and worked my way around until all the pieces were glued down. Note: I have used a hot glue gun for other Lego projects and it did not work so well so Krazy Glue is your best bet. Once it was done I let it dry overnight just to be sure everything would stay in place. Then I let the kids start creating.
I am so happy with the way the table turned out. This table will definitely be a boredom buster this summer. Now that they have this great Lego table they my never want to leave except….yep I have another trick up my sleeve. When we travel we will be taking Lego Juniors Suitcases on the go with us. LEGO® JUNIORS is designed to give children age 4-7 a great first building experience with the LEGO brick through iconic, fun and easy to build models and these suitcases are perfect for taking along anywhere your summer plans take you.
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