I have a confession: I have an obsession with Magic Erasers. I use them on everything in our house from shoes, to windows, on our base boards, and on my kids play table. From Play-Doh to markers the Magic Eraser would clean it…but I over did it and soon the finish began to wear on the top of the table. Then I had a bright Idea! I’d paint the top of the table with Rustoleum’s Chalk Board Paint.
This would solve two problems. 1. Keep my 1 1/2 year old from playing with markers by moving him on to chalk, which is much easier to clean. 2. Create something entertaining and fun that my children can do together.
![The before DIY, Chalk Board Paint, Kids play table, mohawk rug, mohawk home, before image, kids ideas, playroom ideas](/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/photo-1-225x300.jpg)
Step 1. Place a drop cloth or old towel under the table. Preferrably move the piece outside to a well ventilated area.
Step 2. Lightly Sand the surface of whatever you are going to paint. A medium to fine grit sand paper will be fine.
Step 3. Wipe surface with wet cloth and let dry completely to remove any excess dust.
Step 4. Using a foam brush or fine bristle paint brush paint in one direction across the entire surface. Don’t worry if the paint doesnt fully cover for your first coat. Let paint dry 4 hours.
Step 5. Paint across the top of the piece from the opposite direction.
Step 6. Let piece dry for a minimum of 3 days (my kids were drooling over the table, waiting until they could create Chalk masterpieces.)
Step 7. Bring out the chalk, pour your self a cup of coffee, and enjoy the momentary silence as they play together peacefully.
One other tip: I bought a new soft sponge and got it damp, and pulled an old dry dish cloth out. I gave this to the kids to wipe down the surface after they’d completed a drawing. They almost have as much fun wiping down the table as they do drawing!
![Chalk Board Paint Chalk Board Paint, DIY, Rust-oleum, Home Depot, Kids ideas, play ideas, chalk play, kids, toddlers](/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Chalk-Board-Paint-225x300.jpg)
![The After DIY, Chalk Board DIY, Chalk table, Home Depot, toddler play ideas, kid play ideas, playroom, chalk play](/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/photo-2-225x300.jpg)
![DIY Chalk Board Paint Table v1 DIY, Chalk Board DIY, Chalk table, Home Depot, toddler play ideas, kid play ideas, playroom, chalk play](/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DIY-Chalk-Board-Paint-Table-v1-300x300.jpg)
The washable rug under the table is great too because it keeps crumbs and dirt from migrating all over our floors. I can just throw it in the washer when it gets dirty! Here are some other great rugs for play areas!
![Rainbow_Multi_30x46 rainbow rug, playroom rug, washable rug, kids rug, durable rug](/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Rainbow_Multi_30x46-300x300.jpg)
![Round Shag JCP round rug, kids rug, round shag, mohawk home, mohawk round rug, jcpenney rug, shag rug](/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Round-Shag-JCP-300x246.jpg)
![Bangles Multi - Walmart walmart rug, bangles rug, kids rug, playroom rug, bright rug, fun rug, mohawk rug](/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Bangles-Multi-Walmart-300x205.jpg)
Great idea! I can’t wait to try this project this weekend for my grandchildren.