Toy Train Tables: Getting the Most from Your Investment

Toy train tables are one of the most sought after pieces of children's furniture around. They are popular with toddlers, doctor's offices, schools and day care centers. These tables retail for hundreds of dollars and are designed to be sturdy. Since these tables are both valuable and durable you will want to learn how to evolve the table as your kids outgrown them so that you can take advantage of the fine craftsmanship that went into building the table.

Life No. 1 of Your Toy Train Table - Activity Table for Your Kids

The first life that most toy train tables have is as an activity table for you kids. These tables can be used for toy trains, Legos, Barbies and coloring. You can buy these tables pre-made or you can build them yourself using toy train table plans. You can modify these tables by creating table inserts that have train tracks painted on the insert or Lego building designs painted on the insert.

Life No. 2 of Your Toy Train Table - Entertainment Center

As your children out grow toy trains, Legos and dolls, the toy train table can be redesigned to fit your children's new furniture needs. For example, they can quickly be turned into an entertainment center for your kid's room by stripping the paint and re-painting the table in a solid color. Use a glossy finish paint so that food and drink spills can be easily wiped away. Once painted you can place a television, DVD player and video game consule on the table.

Life No. 3 of Your Toy Train Table - Coffee Table

The third life that your kid's toy train table can have is as an adult piece of furniture. After the kids move out you can again strip the paint from the activity table and stain the table so that it matches the finish or décor of your living room. You can then use the activity table as a nice coffee table. You can further evolve the look of the table by tiling the top of the coffee table with ceramic mosaic pieces or with slate tiles.

Life No. 4 of Your Toy Train Table - Activity Table for Your Grandkids

The final life that your activity table can have is as a toy train table for your grandkids. When you have grandkids you can again strip the finish off of your activity table and then paint it using kid friendly, non-toxic paint. You can again use the activity table inserts to provide a back drop for your grandkid's toy trains, dolls or building blocks.