How to Make a Decorative Table Out of Tin Cans and a Piece of Wood

Active children can wreak havoc on any home. Teaching children respect for their surroundings and other people's property can be a challenge. One way to teach this lesson while also occupying bored children is to involve the children in making things and furnishings for their home. Many children respond favorably to this method as it is only natural to have more respect for something that one's effort went into creating.

This project involves making a small table out of inexpensive items such as tin cans, paint and a piece of wood. The project is easy to follow and provides many opportunities to involve your little ones. It also provides an opportunity to teach children the value of recycling and reusing.

Begin the project by collecting tin cans that are the same size. It is important that the cans are all the same size; if the cans are not the same size the finished table will be unstable. How many cans you will need depends on two different factors.

One factor that determines the number of cans you will need is the height that you wish the finished table to be. The other factor that determines the number of cans you will need is the number of "legs" you wish the finished table to have. If you plan to make a table with a small (preferably circular top) then you may only need one leg to support the table. If you wish to make a larger table or one with a square or rectangular top you will need up to four legs to support the table. Also if you have very plush carpet, take care to make sure the table has enough legs to support it, you may also wish to use larger cans (such as coffee cans) to provide more stability.

The largest table that I have made with this method was a full sized dining table that stood nearly four feet tall, it required four legs that I made out of medium size coffee cans. The size of the table you choose to make is up to you, but smaller ones require less work and time to complete. After you decide what size table you would like, determine how tall you will need each leg to be. Then measure a can to determine how many you will need to reach the desired leg length. The larger and taller the cans that you choose are the fewer of them you will need; this will save you a lot of time gluing and painting.

After you determine the amount of cans you will need start collecting them. This may take a while, depending on your desired table size. I suggest that you wash the cans either in the dishwasher or in hot, soapy water as you collect them. When you have collected all of the cans that you plan to use soak them all in a solution of 1 cup baking soda to every 1 gallon of hot water. Allow them to soak for an hour or so, this soaking will remove any residual food odors from the cans. Dry the cans thoroughly before attempting to use them.

Once your cans are clean and dry you are ready for the fun part which is painting the cans. You have many options for doing this, some are very simple while others are complicated. If you are making a large table, I suggest you the simplest method available which is spray painting. If you are making a smaller table you may wish to hand paint the cans or glue fabric around them; you may also wrap them with self-adhesive contact paper.

If you wish to spray paint the cans then first lay out plastic or newspaper to protect your work surface. As usual, I recommend that you use either glossy or metallic paint for this project as matte or flat paint looks lack luster when used for this project. Spray each can with two coats of paint, allowing the cans to dry in between coats. Depending on your preference you can spray all of the cans the same color or you can split them into groups and paint each group a different color. If you choose to use cans of different colors this is a good way to teach little ones about patterns. After painting the cans your chosen color and allowing them to dry finish them with a thin coat of glossy clear coat spray paint. This will make the cans shine and also protect your paint job.

If you wish to use fabric or contact paper, simply choose what you would like to wrap the cans in. If you choose fabric you will need to line the back of the fabric with a strong glue such as super glue or epoxy. Then press the fabric firmly against the can, taking care not to make any creases. Hold the fabric there for a minute or two until the glue sets. If you choose to use self-adhesive contact paper, simply choose a pattern that you like. Cut the paper to size and then wrap each can with it, pressing the paper firmly against the can. Hold the paper there for a minute or so to secure it.

Now that the cans are decorated repeat the process for your wood table top using any of the methods listed above.

After you have decorated your chosen cans and tabletop you will need to fill each can with a weight of some sort; this can be rocks or sand. I recommend rocks, because in the unlikely event that one of the table legs does break rocks are much easier to clean up than sand.

Now that you have weighted each of the cans you are ready to assemble the table legs. You will need a strong glue for this application. There will be a lot of pressure on the cans so regular super glue won't work well. You will need a strong epoxy or PVC glue for the cans; you can easily find this glue at hardware and discount stores.

Glue the cans together, one on top of the other with the exception of the top can. Set the top can aside for later. Repeat this process for each leg you plan to make. Remember to leave the top can off of each leg.

When your legs and table top are prepared take the top cans for each leg that you set aside earlier. Screw each top can to the underside of the table top in the areas where you would like the legs to be. After you have screwed each can to the tabletop, spread glue on the bottom of those cans. Also spread glue on the rim of the top can on each pedestal leg you made. Then place the table top on the legs, making sure that the cans screwed to the tabletop are pressed down firmly on the table legs.

Now all you have to do is wait for the table to dry completely and it will be ready for use. This project is also a great way to keep teenagers occupied. Teenagers love decorating their rooms and this project may help you save money.