DIY Kids Table and Chairs Made from 5-Gallon Buckets
Looking for an easy woodworking project for kids? With a few 5-gallon buckets, some scrap plywood, and a couple of empty paint cans, you can build a fun and functional kids table and chair set. It's inexpensive, surprisingly sturdy, and even includes hidden storage for toys and art supplies.
The inspiration for this project came from a bucket chair I received as a child more than 40 years ago. During a recent visit to my parents' house, my three-year-old discovered it. That simple chair, made by local craftsman Wayne Wilkerson of Toledo, Iowa, was a reminder that some of the best woodworking projects don't need to be complicated.
Here's how to make a set of your own.
How to Make a Kids Chair from a 5-Gallon Bucket
The chair starts with a standard 5-gallon bucket. A cutout in the upper portion of the bucket creates a comfortable opening, while the remaining sides provide support around the seat.
To make the opening, start by using a hole saw to form the rounded corners. Then connect the cuts with a jigsaw. A random-orbit sander and sanding block make quick work of smoothing the plastic and removing any sharp edges.
The seat is made from a piece of plywood cut to fit inside the bucket opening. An empty metal paint can supports the seat from below. Simply center the can on the underside of the plywood seat and secure it with screws and washers.
After sanding and finishing the plywood, the completed seat assembly slips into the bucket.
Build a Matching Table with Built-In Storage
Once you've made a couple of bucket chairs, adding a matching table is just as easy.
The tabletop starts with a circular piece of 3/4" plywood. A plywood spacer and an additional plywood piece secure the bucket lid by sandwiching it between the layers. This creates a sturdy connection and helps prevent the fasteners from pulling through if someone leans on the tabletop.
The bucket itself serves as the table base. Adding a little ballast to the bottom helps keep the table stable, and the lid snaps into place to complete the assembly.
One of the best features is the storage space inside the bucket. Lift off the tabletop to store small toys, books, crayons, or other art supplies when playtime is over.
An Easy DIY Furniture Project for Kids
This homemade table and chair set is a great way to put leftover materials to work. It's lightweight enough to move around the house or workshop, and the simple construction makes it an approachable weekend project.
Best of all, it gives young children a space of their own for drawing, playing, and spending time alongside you in the shop.
With a little luck, this simple bucket furniture might even become a keepsake that gets passed along to the next generation.
More Fun Woodworking Projects for Kids: Shop-Made Can Crusher
Keep the kids busy in the workshop with this simple plywood can crusher. It's a quick, hands-on project that's fun to build and even more fun to use. Plus, it makes cleaning up the recycling bin a breeze!
READ MORE → Build a Shop-Made Can Crusher
