We are preparing for such an exciting 3K year here at the Gladden household, and what does that look like? For us, Homeschool Preschool means playing and reading, singing, dancing, and make-believing! No sitting at a desk or doing paper work or worksheets. Children are meant to move and they learn through movement and expolration BEST! Soooooo....we made the super affordable, super adorable, super easy to do...Make Believe Play Stand for many exciting days of play!
This will stand as a lemonade and baked goods stand, pet adopt shop, flower shop, post office, bank, pharmacy, car wash, grocery store, and so much more! We can decorate it accordingly as well. We will add a chalkboard to say whatever it is we are pretending to do or be that day.
Want to make one? Here's how!
Materials:
- 3 FREE wooden pallets (a lot of companies give these away for free; just ask!)
- 2 4x4 posts
- 1 2x8 board
- 3 in. galvanized nails
- 3M Pro Grade Precision 9in by 11in 80 grit coarse advanced sanding sheets
Tools:
- Drill
- Circular Saw
- Jigsaw
- Hack saw
- Hand sander
- Hammer
- Speed Square
Other Supplies:
- Wood stain or paint color of choice
First and foremost - SUPER DUPER glad to have a handy hubby because while I find this project pretty simple, it was made much more simple by my husband stepping in without my asking to take over and spare me much labor (though I do love working with tools and always have!) But, it is always better to work as a team when you can. He is such a blessing. Well, even little Ellie wanted to help so it was a family affair!
The first thing to do is cut the pallets to desired size. I didn't need to measure anything here - I just eyeballed the height I wanted for Ellie then sawed at that desired height straight across the front facing pallet. Then, with the two side pallets, I cut them to the same height, then in half so they were not as long as the front. I didn't want the stand to be too deep. Also, for the side pallets, I wanted them thinner, no need for the middle and bottom base of the pallets for the sides. So, my husband used the hack saw to slim them down and cut through the nails and wood. Then we used the hand sander to make them nice and smooth! No splinters here!
Then, together, we used the drill to prepare for nailing in the 3 inch nails. Drill, nail, hammer. Repeat until the base of the stand is together. The base being all three pallet pieces.
Next, we put our 4x4 posts in the inner corners of the stand after cutting them down to my desired height....which again I eyeballed, telling my husband I wanted them to be as high as his forehead. Haha!! Maybe this is why it's good to have the man in the home help out? But, he knew what to do. Marked, measured, and cut, the 4x4's were nailed into place with the same methodical action - drill, nail, hammer.
The last piece of the stand was to use the 2x8 board for both the banner and the bar top. The board was actually perfect in size. We measured it first to be the banner. The remaining wood fit perfectly as the bar top. The only thing to do with the bar top was to cut out knotches to help it secure and wrap around the 4x4 posts. Eric measured this with his speed square. As you can tell...I don't measure very well. Not even in cooking. I am a true southern woman, after all! Haha! Then back to our rhythm: drill, nail, hammer.
The structure is made.
Rinse off the wood well from any sanding, let it dry, then stain or paint as desired!
Then, GO PLAY!!
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