Do you have a train enthusiast on your hands? Do you hear choo choo and chugging sounds a whole lot? If so you may want to consider a wooden train set and a DIY Train Table!
We had a train table when my son was young and it was a hit. We actually bought a table that was made for something else and turned it into a train table. I’ll write up a post soon about it so you can see what we did.
There are a lot of different types of train tables you can make yourself. People have come up with wonderful ideas and they are all a bit different.
You can choose from those that are easy to make, those that are big or long, those that include storage or perhaps you need a one that is perfect for a small space. No matter which type you need, you will find all of them right here.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a small amount, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. All opinions are my own and I share things I think would be of interest to boys.
Note: I am all about open ended play and think it is one of the most important things our children can do to help them learn. Train tables are awesome. They can, however, be a bit limiting if they are too small.
What I liked best about our Thomas the Tank engine train sets and track was how many different setups we could make with the track we had. Sometimes these took up our whole family room! They were very large and very involved.
I think it is great for kids to be able to do that. If a train table is too small it makes it tough to create different layouts.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you nail, (or heaven forbid, glue!) the track down to a table, that is going to limit you as well. Some parents really like things to be nailed down because then the track isn’t all over the floor and the whole setup is neater looking.
I liked using our table and expanding the play onto the floor. Either way, train sets are a wonderful toy and having them out and ready to play with makes them get used even more.
DIY Train Tables
I found a lot of very neat train table ideas. We will start with some IKEA hacks, move on to tables with storage and end with some unique designs. I hope you find exactly what you are looking for.
Remember since you are DIY-ing you can easily nab ideas from different ones and pull them together to make something perfect for your train fan.
IKEA Hack Train Tables
If you are a fan of IKEA, you know you can use their items to hack all sorts of cool DIY ideas! In this case you can hack a train table.
IKEA TROFAST Train Table Hack
This table uses the TROFAST system to make a nice stand-up train play table.
As you can see, it includes the storage bins and the frame. What you put on the top is really up to you. They went with a plain white top. You can check out the other tables included here for more top decorating ideas. IKEA Trofast Hack
TROFAST BIN Train Table
This is also an IKEA TROFAST hack, but in this case they just used the bins, not the furniture item. They built a nice table out of wood designed around the bins so they would simply slide right into the unit.
With the way they did it you end up with a nice activity table made from wood. Wooden Table with Trofast Bins
DIY Wooden Train Table Ideas
Large Wooden Train Table
It is amazing what you can make with a sheet of plywood, some wooden boards and few tools and paint, isn’t it?!
This is a nice big table that is sure to be a hit. It is wide enough to do a few different types of train track layouts on it which is what I like about this one. Large Wooden Table to Make
Easy 2 x 4 Train Table
This table is made out of 2 x 4s which makes for an easy way to pull it all together. It is designed so the table piece can drop down and be supported by the legs << smart! 2 X 4 Table
Professional Looking DIY Thomas Table
If you didn’t know better, at first glance you would mistake this for an official Thomas train table.
It is an awesome DIY and the guy that made it should be very proud of his work. He built a wooden table to house a purchased Thomas top.
He does say that you could also use plywood instead and paint it. Either way this is a looker and your train enthusiast will love it. DIY Thomas Table
Train Tables with Storage
Stand Up Wooden Train Table with Storage
When a person who is into design makes a table for wooden trains, this is what you can end up with. Whoa! Pretty darn slick. Check out that bear on the front. I bet it looks great in their space.
The part with the bear on it is actually a pull out bin. The only thing I would say is that if you have little ones the bin is going to be a bit hard for them to use. Other than that it certainly has wow factor. Industrial Wooden Train Table
Router Track with Storage
This table is especially unique as it has the track routed right into the wood. With this idea you wouldn’t even really have to buy wooden track (although setting that track up is half the fun so . . . )
The drawers are a win because they keep everything looking very nice and tidy. I also like that this table has a small footprint so it is great for those who want to add it to a small bedroom, play area or living room space.
It is a completely different and modern take on things and I’m sure some people will prefer this to the more colorful versions. Watch the video right here. She shows you how she makes it.
Under the Bed Train Table
If you do not have a lot of space, this idea is a great one. Make an under the bed train table for the bedroom. It slips right under the bed which makes it easy to put away.
In this case, she actually took apart an old train table that wasn’t really working for them and made this out of it. You could also do that but with some plywood and wood and make one of your own in this same style.
This can be used as an activity table for LEGO, blocks, cars such as Hot Wheels and a whole lot more in addition to trains. Recycled Under the Bed Table
Unique Shape Train Tables
Long Table for Kids Trains
If you need a table but want something that they can stand up at and that you can stick against a wall, try this. It is 6 feet long!
She drilled down the track. I wouldn’t likely do that but to each their own. Anyway, it is rather thin in width so a child can reach the back easily. Long Table for Trains
Train Table with Hole in Middle
This table has an unusual feature that is just right. Kids can crawl under the table and pop up in the hole in the middle.
The reason this is so nice is that they are able to reach everything much better on a large size table. This makes for a lot of play value and will get used – guaranteed! Table Setup with Hole
DIY Train Table Video
Here is another version with the pop through hole in the middle of the table for ease of use (and fun!) He walks through quite a few details of the table and runs over the completed track layout as well.
This one is both an IKEA hack and a unique design.
Woodworking Plans for DIY Train Table
I am tossing this in here in case you want to make one of these and want actual plans for a train table instead of winging it or trying to follow along with the ones above.
I found woodworking plans for this beautiful table with side drawer storage. You could use it for so many things, including trains. The lip around the top is nice as the trains won’t roll off the side. Get it from IronTimber Table Plans
See our quick video on these DIY train tables on YouTube.
