• About Me
  • Policies + Privacy
  • Subscribe
  • Christmas
  • Dollar Store Crafts
  • Crafts
  • Round-Ups
  • Home Decor
  • FREE Calendar

The Crazy Craft Lady

You are here: Home / Crafts / Decorative Tray from a Wooden Toy Box

February 17, 2016 · 7 Comments

Decorative Tray from a Wooden Toy Box

Crafts· Home Decor· Upcycling

Sharing is caring!

62 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

I like to think that I’m a mom of moderation and intention.  Now is when you’re probably thinking: Oh dear, she’s talking about parenting philosophy and sounding a bit touchy-feely.  Hold on!

Let’s talk toys.  How many and what type to buy is something I’ve thought about quite a bit as a parent.  There’s some middle ground to be had between “just let them play with the tupperware drawer – they don’t need toys” and “let’s buy them everything under the sun.”  I try to be intentional about buying toys that are both fun and educational.  I’m a big fan of Melissa and Doug toys, and recently added to Robert’s collection at Christmas.

One of the perks of buying fun, high-quality wooden toys, is that they often come in fun, high-quality wooden boxes.  These boxes are always begging for an upcycle, am I right?

Last year, I upcycled two small wooden toy boxes into Sea Urchin Specimen Art for a gallery wall in my Cape Cod Bedroom.  Now, I’m back at it with a larger wooden box that’s getting a makeover into a decorative serving tray.

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience.  Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Decorative Tray – Supplies

  • wooden toy box – like the one from this toy set
  • wood stain – I used minwax Golden Oak (3 parts) combined with Classic Gray (1 part)
  • word template or stencil
  • pencil & pen
  • paint brushes
  • white chalk paint – I use FolkArt brand for small craft projects

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

Decorative Tray – Instructions

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

Lightly sand off the “Melissa & Doug” logo from the wooden box (not pictured).

Then, stain the box using your favorite wood stain.  I used a combo of 3 parts Golden Oak and 1 part Classic Gray that I had leftover from another project.

Pick the word or decoration you want to paint onto the tray.  I just made this template using free fonts in PicMonkey.

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

Using my ultimate “lazy crafter transfer method” you can transfer the words onto the tray.  What is this method?  Super simple.  Color the back of the template with pencil.  Then flip the template over and trace it onto your surface.  Simple!

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

Then, just fill in the outline with chalk paint.  Too easy!

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

The End Result

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

Upcycle a wooden Melissa & Doug toy box into a decorative serving tray! What an awesome DIY craft idea that comes together in a snap with a little bit of stain and paint.

Did you like this upcycle craft project?  Check out my last wooden toy box craft by clicking on the image below:

DIY-Sea-Urchin-Specimen-Art

I’m linking up at these great parties.

« Finding Time to Read
How to Get Kids to Help Put Away Toys »

Comments

  1. Celeste | The Whole Serving says

    March 24, 2016 at 9:58 am

    I have an unfinished wooden tray that I haven’t used and I’ve had it for years. This looks like the perfect project for it.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • aimee says

      March 30, 2016 at 6:14 am

      Yay! Glad you have found a new project, Celeste.

      Reply
  2. Megan says

    April 1, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    What a great idea and that cute tray looks so pretty!

    Reply
    • aimee says

      April 10, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      Thanks so much Megan, glad you liked it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

I’m Aimee, The Crazy Craft Lady. I strive to make my home a more stylish, organized, and creative place, while keeping things uncomplicated and budget-friendly. Here you will find DIY projects, seasonal decor and crafts, recipes, and organizing tricks. I hope you stay awhile and leave inspired.

Let’s “make everyday creative” together!

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

looking for something?

Copyright © 2023 · captivating theme by Restored 316

62 shares