For Connor’s birthday, we decided to create an art center for the boys rather than adding to our endless toy stock. I am really bad at remembering to take ‘before’ pictures but all we had here was a Little Tykes table. I really wanted to set something up so that the kids could access the supplies on their own and would also be able to easily clean up on their own! It is also nice to have a table that I can sit at comfortably as well when I am working with them. {Little Tykes plastic chairs are not too comfy!} Like all of my projects, this is taking a little longer than expected and I still have a bunch of things left to do but I thought I would show you where I am mid-process.
I purchased the desk top at Ikea and stained the legs {also from Ikea} to match the other wood tones in the room. My kids and rolly chairs don’t mix well so I opted for stools. They can push right under the desk and out of the way if the kids want to stand while they are working instead. Matthew also has a big exercise ball that he likes to sit on {must be the son of a physio!}
Fingerpaints and paint brushes are stored in an unused paint can {you can purchase these at paint stores for about $3} and I purchased some green storage bins from Ikea for some extra odds and ends. I really like the green against the blue. The labeling is still one of the things on my ‘TO DO’ list.
My kids go through paper like crazy so I wanted to have a recycling bin close at hand! I just added some vinyl for the recycling sign.
I was planning on making some kind of storage caddy for their pens, crayons, etc. but found this one at Home Sense for $12 and figured it was definitely worth it. The kids can just take out the glass that they want to keep their supplies close at hand. I am hoping this makes for easy clean-up as well! It also worked great for a little treat bar at Connor’s birthday party.
I have had these Ikea storage tins for a while and just added the numbers. I think they are great and put them in my craft room as well.
So what is still left to do? I would like to dress up the cork boards a bit, add some sort of art display for the kids to hang their masterpieces where the white magnetic board is, label everything, and add a few extra little touches.
Before I go, I must mention that the Canucks just won the conference final and will be heading to the Stanley Cup Finals!! We are all pretty excited around here! Last time they were there I was in my first year of University. Life is a little different these days but it is just as exciting! Go Canucks!
I purchased the desk top at Ikea and stained the legs {also from Ikea} to match the other wood tones in the room. My kids and rolly chairs don’t mix well so I opted for stools. They can push right under the desk and out of the way if the kids want to stand while they are working instead. Matthew also has a big exercise ball that he likes to sit on {must be the son of a physio!}
Fingerpaints and paint brushes are stored in an unused paint can {you can purchase these at paint stores for about $3} and I purchased some green storage bins from Ikea for some extra odds and ends. I really like the green against the blue. The labeling is still one of the things on my ‘TO DO’ list.
My kids go through paper like crazy so I wanted to have a recycling bin close at hand! I just added some vinyl for the recycling sign.
I was planning on making some kind of storage caddy for their pens, crayons, etc. but found this one at Home Sense for $12 and figured it was definitely worth it. The kids can just take out the glass that they want to keep their supplies close at hand. I am hoping this makes for easy clean-up as well! It also worked great for a little treat bar at Connor’s birthday party.
I have had these Ikea storage tins for a while and just added the numbers. I think they are great and put them in my craft room as well.
So what is still left to do? I would like to dress up the cork boards a bit, add some sort of art display for the kids to hang their masterpieces where the white magnetic board is, label everything, and add a few extra little touches.
Before I go, I must mention that the Canucks just won the conference final and will be heading to the Stanley Cup Finals!! We are all pretty excited around here! Last time they were there I was in my first year of University. Life is a little different these days but it is just as exciting! Go Canucks!
I hope you are all having a great week!
What a great idea. It came out beautifully!
i really love this. turned out amazing!! love the PAINT jar and the create sign!
love love love
LOVE your whole area and all of the organization!
I would LOVE if you would link up your project to our {{What I Made Wednesday}} Linky Party! We’re also hosting a giveaway, so don’t forget to sign up! 🙂
Briana @ Sweet Peas & Bumblebees
I love this art center! The colors and organization are fabulous. I can’t wait to do something like this for my 2 boys too. Unfortunately they are still at the coloring all over the walls stage and can’t be trusted unsupervised with art supplies! 😀 Oh well! Someday soon! Thanks for the inspiration!
What a nice art center. I love the “create” bottle holder convert. Nice all around.
How fun is that art center!?! I LOVE IT!!! I’d love for you to come link up at DIY Thrifty Thursday at http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com
~Michelle
Thrifty 101
I love the crate w/ the glass jars in it, definitely worth $12! Great idea for your kid’s birthday.
What a great art center. I’m hosting Home Decor and Organizing Link Party through Friday and would love for you to join the party if you get a chance.
This is fabulous! We will be moving soon, and I would love to create something like this for my kids. I’m pinning your post 🙂
Thanks for sharing at For the Kids at Sun Scholars! Always love seeing new “faces”. I sure hope you pop back by to link up again this week (posting tonight!)
:)rachel at http://SunScholars.blogspot.com
I love your art center and hope to create something similar for my own kids. Couple of questions about your table, did you purchase the wooden legs form IKEA? Also, what is the length of your table?
Thanks!
What are the dimensions on table? Looking. At ikea website and can’t figure out which one this is!
The table top is 79 inches long and almost 2 feet in depth. I probably got it about 6 or 7 years ago now so their dimensions might have changed a little bit.
Thanks! Was just going to ask the same thing. Was it an actual table or a countertop piece?!
It was an actual tabletop designed to add their table legs {you can mix and match all of the pieces} 🙂