Chalk Board Table!

 After rearranging my classroom and getting rid of a lot of old materials that were 'left' for me last year when I started, I couldn't help but think that my student's need more concrete activities to help stimulate their minds. Since I teach a multi-disability, integrated preschool class - I feel as though it is very important to create activities and manipulatives that can be used for teacher-directed or student-directed activities. I've read other blogs and found ideas on Pinterest that I am currently working on (One being a light table! I can't wait to get it 'up and running'!! So expect a blog about that in the near future! :)) Anyways... Last week I found a HUGE unopened box of chalk way in the back of my closet. As always, my mind was spinning with ideas! I knew that I wanted to make some sort of chalk board table for the kids so I searched on Craigslist (You can find some great buys in your area!) , Garage Sales, Walmart, Target, etc. Then when I was searching on the web, I found a cheap kids table from Ikea for only $19.99. There is only one Ikea store in Ohio and it's about 3 1/2 hours from where I live so I searched the web some more to see if I could find it somewhere else for a cheaper price (Amazon) and while doing so found images of the table being turned into exactly what I wanted... A chalk board table!! Great minds must think alike! ;)

 Anyways - I didn't end up finding the table anywhere else for a better price so I purchased it online from Ikea and paid and extra $10 to ship. Honestly a kids sized table WITH two chairs for only $32 (included were shipping costs and tax) was a pretty good deal in my eyes! So here is what the table looks like: 

 Before I put it together I spray painted all of the pieces and used a chalk board spray paint for the table top itself. I found 2 cans of Green Apple spray paint at Pat Catan's for $5 and the Chalk Board spray paint was $6 (I looked at a lot of other stores and this was the cheapest that I found it!) You'll need to do at least 2-3 coats of the chalk board paint - it helps the overall finish look better and the chalk shows up better. 

 And here is a picture after I spray painted everything and put it together.  (Don't mind all of the imperfections! I've since discovered that I am a HORRIBLE spray painter! :P Also, my porch area desperately needed cleaned before this picture, but that just didn't happen! :))

 I've since made small cushions that tie around the chairs that have given it a more 'finished' look. The table itself is pretty durable. Its very light weight but is perfect for this use and the kids love the little chairs that are perfect to sit and draw.

 FINAL COST: The final cost for this project was around $45. I know, I know - that seems high for a 'budget' project but it really has served for multiple purposes, earning every penny of it's worth. The kids get to use it during free time - for free drawing, I use it for learning to recognize and write letters and numbers, my students use picture cards to begin to form words and much, much more! I have a lot of left over chalk board spray paint and am using that for other classroom projects! So overall I feel like this is totally a budget project! :) If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! :)