Over the last couple of years I have talked about toy train events and various toy train activities that you can complete. This last weekend I ran across a family toy train table project that I thought was very sweet and endearing. This table was covered with a track that had stops on it that were important to the family, i.e. grandma’s house, the elementary school, the family home and a military base in Iraq where the dad was stationed. Next to each stop was a little sign that provided information and a picture related to the stop.

This is a great project for military families, divorced families and any family that want to find connectedness. To complete this project you will need toy train table plans, photographs, decoupage gel, a sponge brush, building supplies and paint.

After constructing your table as a family you can figure out what stops to add to your track. These stops need to have meaning to your kids. For example, if you have a divorced family structure then you will want to provide one stop for mom’s house and one stop for dad’s house. If you are a military family then you can include stops at the military base in the U.S., and if the military mom or dad is deployed, then you can also include a stop at the overseas military base.

For each stop you are going to create a little signs. This sign will include a photograph and a description of the stop. The description can include an address, a simple city name, a country name, as well as information about why it is important, such as “this is where daddy is stationed” or “this is grandma’s house.” The signs that you make can either be decoupaged directly onto the track board, or you can build 3D signs that can be placed ontop of the track board.

July is a great month to work on woodworking projects. The weather tends to be hot and dry, which is perfect weather for painting and staining wood. However, if you plan on working on a toy train table for your Name Trains you will need to use these tips.

The first thing that you need to know about working on a construction project during the month of July is that you need to try and stay in the shade. Working under direct sun is not good for you or your project. For you it can lead to a sun burn, skin cancer, eye strain and heat exhaustion. For your project it can lead to fading, paint bubbling and other cosmetic impairments.

The next thing that you need to know is that you need to work under a tent or a roof of some sort. While it is generally dry and hot in July a shower or thunderstorm can quickly move in and dump rain on you and your project.

The final tip is to avoid working on your project during thunderstorms. Electrical strikes near you can cause electrocution or death. Also if the wind kicks up it can blow sawdust into your eyes or blow away your plans.

The first tip is to figure out what activities the table will be used for. The table top design will need to work with these activities. For example, if you will be playing with Name Trains on your activity table, then you will want a nice flat open table top. You will also want to create a painted insert that has track design on it. You will also want table top that is surrounded with a slight lip to keep the rolling train pieces from rolling off of your activity table.

The next tip is to be smart about the finishing products that you select. To start with you will want to select products that are kid friendly and as non-toxic as possible. If you will be working on your toy train in a basement then you will also want fume free products. Finally, since your table is designed for kids to play with you will want to use a finishing product that will not scratch easily. This may mean adding a special top coat or sealant to your table.

The first way you can redesign your toy train table is to turn it into a coffee table. To do this all you have to do is remove the insert and strip the old paint from the table. Then stain the table using a gel based stain. This will make the project go quicker. Use a stain color that will compliment your living room furniture. If your toy train table is dinged or scratched, treat these imperfection with wood putty and sandpaper before you stain the surface.

The second way you can redesign your toy train table is to turn it into an entertainment center. Many toy train table designs will facilitate a 13 inch TV, or an even larger flat screen TV, as well as a DVD player and cable box. After you strip the old table finish, fill in scratches and dings with wood putty, allow to dry, sand smooth and paint with an enamel or washable paint product. Select a color that will work well with the colors in your child’s room, family room or play room.

For more information about toy trains and toy train table activities visit the Model Trains blog.

The first option that you have for designing a military train table is to focus on the paint job. You can paint a military camouflage design on your toy train table. Camouflage comes in a variety of color combinations. The colors that are used are designed to reflect the colors of a specific environment. For example, a desert camouflage is going to be based on shades of browns and tans, whereas jungle camouflage is going to be based on shades of greens and blacks.

The second option that you have for designing a military train table is to use military stickers, graphics and images to decorate the table. You can find these items in stores, especially hobby stores, as well as in military supply stores. To affix these graphics to your table you will want to rely on something stronger than just the adhesive found on the sticker. Decoupage glue or gel, one of my favorite materials, works to both adhere the graphic to the table and protect it from moisture and damage.