How to Create a Kid Friendly Holiday Table

how to create a kid-friendly table for under $10

Yes, Virginia, it turns out Kraft paper is capitalized. And, anyone who knows not to eat a crayon will have just as much fun with this kid-friendly holiday table as the preschool squad. But wait. I am getting ahead of myself on how to create a kid friendly holiday table!

Last fall our kitchen was under construction. At one point the contents of our pantry were in my office and our toaster was on the pool table in the basement. My goal was to maintain some semblance of normalcy in the dining room and I hoped for running water by Thanksgiving.

I committed to hosting Thanksgiving and with relatives ranging from 2 to 87 years old. I needed to create a kid-friendly holiday table. And, with a little luck, the tweens, teens and college-age guests might enjoy a kid-friendly holiday table just as much the preschool and kindergarten crowd!

How to Create a Kid-Friendly Holiday Table

This kid-friendly table requires two items. And, the best part of this table is both items can be snagged at the grocery store:

• crayons
• Kraft paper

That is all you need! That’s it! Kids don’t need fingerpaints, but everyone who knows not to eat a crayon will end up drawing if there is a set of crayons in front of them.

You can find the 24 pack here or add it to your grocery list. now.  

I bought a set of chalkboard placemats from Crate & Barrel a few years ago. I had visions of my tween boys working on Algebra problems while I made dinner.

Yep, five years later, I have six brand new chalkboard placemats. They hide in place around the kitchen and family room for when their cousins come over for pizza night. 

I found these placemats on Amazon. But I really like the sturdy backsides of the C&B chalkboard placemats.

I created the kid-friendly holiday table with Kraft paper as the base layer. It provided the protection I wanted for my new quartz counters.

I added the chalkboard placemats and office paper so the kids could use both crayons and/or chalk.

If you recognize the cute crayon container it is from this upcycle project. And, do you recognize this candle jar below? 

I set the dining room table earlier this season when I shared it here and here.

I created the kids’ table at the newly extended breakfast nook adjacent to the dining room table.

It turns out I went old school with this kid-friendly holiday table! Happy Holidays all year long!

Oh, and the Kraft paper? I stumbled upon this wiki page when I Googled Kraft paper to confirm if Kraft was spelled with a capital letter.

Yes, Virginia, it turns out Kraft paper is capitalized.