Skip to main content

Table Tutorials

Image
By

I've had a lot of questions in regard to our pvc pipe sensory tables and plexi-glass table top.

I actually made a handout for one of my training sessions in regard to both our sensory tables and our light tables. You can download a pdf version of it here. (I don't have dimensions, as it will all depend on the bin you choose for the table. Perhaps I will get a better tutorial up soon with the exact dimensions if you order your tub from Home Depot.)

We actually have 3 tables. The one you have been seeing recently with the plexi-glass on top of it is made with 1 1/4" diameter pvc pipe and has a little bit different design than the one shown on the handout. (When I switched to a different cement mixing tub, I also switched the design a little bit). I found a lot of inspiration from other sites, and merged ideas to come up with my design.
This version is a little more like a wheelbarrow... It is going to have wheels on two of the legs.  It is also a bit different because it doesn't have an arm that holds the tub up, it has a full layer to support it. 
I'll see what I can do to get a few better photos when I'm back home!
(I'm in Chicago right now, ready for a great day with BEV BOS tomorrow!!! (Can you tell I'm excited???))

In regard to the plexi-glass table top we have.... Well, all it is are two sheets of plexi glass that I place over the frame of the table. They are not connected to it in any way. I'll have to measure the plates for you when I get home, but they are upcycled plates that we took out of some of the cribs that were donated by a friend of mine because they could no longer be used with the new standards for cribs. We took them apart, and have upcycled some of the pieces into things, using the plexi glass as mentioned and making a writing desk here.

I hope this answers most of your questions! One of the great things about the pvc pipe table is that it can easily come apart to be stored. If you are anything like me... storage can be an issue! So, having a table that can easily come apart and be stored, yet be sturdy enough for exploration is ideal!


Labels:

Comments

Ms. Dawn The Singing Nurse said…
gr8 table idea for water play, washing hands before cooking, rice, sand...very cool & affordable. Thanks for the tutorial.
Ms. Dawn, The Singing Nurse
November 4, 2011 at 1:54 PM
Suz said…
Thank You!!!! :o)
November 5, 2011 at 12:41 AM
table top fridge said…
This is cool! Thanks for taking the time to post this.
April 29, 2012 at 9:22 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Few Ideas With Marker Caps (As Promised)

By
Yesterday, I hope I convinced you not to throw away your markers that "don't work." Today, I will share with you a few ideas for what to do with all of the caps. The possibilities are nearly endless, but here are a few of our recent creations: 1) A Leprechaun/Fairy Ladder/Rope Ladder: 2) #1 if not permanently secured can also double as a rope bridge: 3) #1/#2 can also be made into a train track for your homemade trains :). (No photo available) 4) You can use them as beads for a necklace: 5) You could make them into a wind chime. (No photo available). 6. You can use them as small manipulatives to count, sort, and make patterns with. (No photo available). 7) You could use them as playing pieces in your own homemade board game. (No photo available). 8) You could put them on a wire and glue them in place to make a twirling whirly-gig. 9) You could top them with a lid from a milk jug to make tiny tables or toadstools. 10) You could make them...
15 comments
Read more

"The Markers Don't Work!"

By
How may times have you heard, "Ms. (fill your name in here), this marker doesn't work!" I know I hear it all the time. Sometimes it is because our little friends forget to replace the caps, and sometimes the markers have just been "all used up!" What do you do with all those markers that just don't work? Please don't tell me that you throw them out, try this instead: First, sort your markers out. Put the caps in one container ( save those too, I'll show you what you can do with them in tomorrow's post) and the markers in another. I have a box for the markers that "don't work" for the children to place them into every time they run across one. You can also have the children help you test the markers periodically to sort out the ones that need to be removed from the "working set." When it comes time to use "the markers that don't work," we use a small sponge paint roller to roll water onto our card...
16 comments
Read more

Our DIY Light Tables

By
There has been a lot of buzz about light tables over at Teach Preschool on Facebook . Deborah has collected some great ideas for light table play and has been experimenting with making her own table over on the Teach Preschool blog.   I thought I would share with you our two light tables and how we made them. This first table is one that we put together with some scrap wood pieces, an old plexi-glass door from an entertainment center, and a couple of aquarium lights. Total Cost = $0. (We had everything on hand.)  The table needs a little bit of tweaking. (It is on my to do list).  Basically, we made a frame of wood around the plexi-glass and placed the lights under it. Our DIY skills in putting this together were far from expert, so the frame has a couple of gaps (and the reused wood is warped). We plan to try a new frame and use some caulk to seal any gaps.  We also plan to attach the lights to the side of the frame instead of just placing them on the f...
15 comments
Read more