This Simple IKEA Flip Kept My Kids Busy for Hours

One of the fun (and constant) challenges of parenthood is figuring out how to keep the kids entertained without draining your wallet.

Toys and play tables add up fast—a decent sand and water table can easily cost $75 to $100, and even the cheaper ones aren’t exactly a bargain.

That’s why this clever IKEA BEKVÄM step stool flip (literally) from Marlena Schubert @schuberts_haustagebuch (translated as Schubert’s house diary) is such a win.

Plus, when you no longer need it for playtime, you can still use it as a stool! See which one of these hacks works for you!

Flip An IKEA Step Stool Into A Water & Sand Table

What You’ll Need

1 IKEA BEKVÄM step stool
1 or 2 TROFAST storage boxes
Piece of wood
Sand
Various sand and water toys
Basics — drill, screw gun, screws

Hack #1: Two-Tier Water and Sand Table

sand table DIY from ikea bekvam step stool — Photo Credit BEKVÄM Step Stool IKEAcom | Marlena Schubert

All you need to do is turn the stool on its side and add two TROFAST bins into the open spots. These bins fit perfectly into these spaces, which Marlena jokingly points out is a nice coincidence.

She also adds a few extra bins hanging off the sides of one of the TROFAST boxes, similar to the SUNNERSTA containers. This step is optional, but it provides a great place to hold accessories.

For Stability, Add a Brace

Marlena suggests adding a board to prevent tipping. When you flip the stool on its side, add the brace under the upper bin to the bottom to add durability.

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A post shared by Marlena Schubert- Interior | DIYs | Kidsroom (@schuberts_haustagebuch)

Hack #2: Sand Box With A Seat

For the second play option, remove the top of the stool and put a TROFAST box in the opening.

That’s it! (Keep the top so you can replace it if you ever decide to use the stool as a stool.)

You could also add a second storage box to the opening on the bottom for storing accessories.

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A post shared by Marlena Schubert- Interior | DIYs | Kidsroom (@schuberts_haustagebuch)

Make it Your Own

You can leave the stool as-is or paint it for either option. It all depends on what look you’re going for, or if you want to match existing play furniture.

Complete With Sand, Water, and Toys

Once you have your completed play table, add the sand, water, and any accessories, and let the play begin!

Price for this hack: About $35 (less if you already have a stool lying around!)

Time for this hack: You can complete it in under five minutes if you skip the painting step.

Even More Ways to Play

The BEKVÄM step stool is great for kids, but even just focusing on these two hacks gives you so many possibilities. Sand and water play is great, but you could also create all sorts of sensory bins, whether using dry rice, beans, river rocks, kinetic sand, or even slime.

This hack even works for small toy storage in a pinch. You can keep tiny cars, action figures, and other small items in the bins.

You could also convert the stool into a small art station. Keep the stool upright, and put a storage box in the bottom opening. Add a solid piece of wood across the top, and you have a small desk complete with supply storage below.