School Desk- small child size

By The Creative Mom
diy-child-desk
diy-child-school-desk
diy-child-size-school-desk
school-desk-diy-building-plans
diy-school-desks-plans
Kreg Academy Kreg Academy

This is a very simple build, built from off the shelf lumber. It can be built in just an afternoon with very basic tools. This desk is a child sized desk, meant for smaller children, about 8 years old and younger. The desk has an lid that opens for easy access to books, crayons, laptops, or tablets.

Difficulty easy

Tools

Kreg Tools

Other Tools

  • Circular Saw (corded)
    Circular Saw (corded)
  • Jigsaw
    Jigsaw
  • Miter Saw
    Miter Saw
  • Tape Measure
    Tape Measure
  • Drill (cordless)
    Drill (cordless)
  • Sander
    Sander
  • Tape Measure
    Tape Measure

Materials

Wood Products

  • 1 Board , 2x2 , 96"
  • 1 Board , 1x4 , 96"
  • 1 Board , 1x2 , 96"
  • 1 Plywood , 1/2" Thick , Quarter Sheet

Hardware & Supplies

  • 1 Piano Hinge (12")
  • 50 1 1/4" pocket hole screws
  • 1 Wood Glue
See All Tools & Materials

Cut List & Parts

  • 4 Legs , 22" (2x2)
  • 2 Apron Sides , 16" (1x4)
  • 2 Apron Front & Back , 20" (1x4)
  • 3 Cubby Supports , 17.5" (1x2)
  • 1 Cubby Bottom , 21 1/2" x 17 1/2" (1/2" plywood)
  • 1 Desk Top , 24" x 16" (1/2" plywood)
  • 1 Desk Top Back Portion , 24" x 3 1/2" (1/2" plywood)
  • 1 Desk Back , 22 1/2" (1/2)
  • 2 Desk Sides , 4 1/2" (1/2)
plywood-cut-diagram-6
See Full Cut List & Parts

Directions

  • Build sides

    Cut FOUR 22 1/2" 2x2 boards.
    Cut TWO 16" 1x4 boards. Drill pocket holes in each end.
    Using wood glue and 1 1/4" screws, attach the 16" 1x4's to the 22 1/2" 2x2's, flush with the top of the boards.

    Step 1

  • Prepare Apron Boards

    Cut TWO 20" 1x4 boards. Drill pocket holes in both ends of both boards.
    Drill pocket holes on one side of one board.
    Cut a notch out of the other board (see plans). This will create a space in order to open the lid of the desk later.

    Step 2

  • Prepare Desk Back

    Cut ONE 22 1/2" 1x2 board.
    Cut TWO 4 1/2" 1x2 boards.
    Cut a piece of 3/4" plywood, 3 1/2" x 22 1/2". Drill pocket holes in both ends of the plywood. Drill pocket holes in one side as well.
    Using wood glue and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws, attach the plywood to the 1x2 pieces. (see plans)

    Step 3

  • Attach Apron to Desk Back

    Using wood glue and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws, attach the desk back to your 20" apron board you prepared earlier.

    Step 4

  • Attach Back Apron

    Using wood glue and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws, attach the piece you just built to the side pieces from step 1.

    Step 5

  • Attach Front Apron

    Using wood glue and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws, attach the 20" 1x4 board with the notch cut from it. It should be flush with the front and tops of your 2x2 legs. The notch should be on the top of the board.

    Step 6

  • Attach Cubby Supports

    Cut THREE 17 1/2" 1x2's. Drill pocket holes in both ends.
    Using wood glue and 1 1/4" screws, attach the boards to the front and back apron. The bottoms of these boards should be flush with the bottoms of your 1x4 aprons.

    Step 7

  • Attach Cubby Bottom

    Cut a piece of 1/2" plywood at 20" x 17 1/2". Using a jig saw, cut 3/4" x 3/4" notches from each corner. Lay this plywood on top of the 1x2 supports to create the bottom of your desk cubby.

    Step 8

  • Add Desk Lid

    Cut a piece of 3/4" plywood at 16" x 24". Using a piano hinge, attach this piece of plywood to the piece you already attached on the back. Make sure the sides are flush with each other.

    Step 9

  • Finish

    Stain or paint the desk. Seal with polyurethane.

    Step 10