New Use for Large, Old, Round, Solid Metal or Plastic Undented Patio/Lawn Table or Tabletop
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
I finally found ANOTHER use for such a table/table top:
Make an "Enclosed Target Field for Playing MARBLES"! !
Every kid, boys and girls alike, has LONGED for such because, they're already on their knees on some hard surface, NOT wanting to have to skoot around wearing out their clothes to chase the marbles that almost always go WAY out of bounds into parts unknown, delaying the game, and thereby risking not even finding the lost marble. This offers a "lip" around the edge to help the game to progress smoothly. It will usually accommodate about 4-6 players, according to table top size.
This is a wonderful alternative to the few "electronic" and boring things available to them, especially should the economy continue to tighten, but even VERY interesting to those friends who "have everything". It can even be set to their avg. height by modifying the legs(, measureing, cutting and recapping feet), or setting the top alone on concrete blocks. Use a round flannel-backed vinyl table cloth for between game storage, marbles, score paper, pencil and all. Allow your child to create his own new rules to share with all players before beginning. Purchase larger colored marbles for each child's "shooter". Dollar Store is often very cheap for a bagful. This is a fun, easy, hand-to-eye calculating " PROJECT and GAME" for ages 8 to adult! ESSENTIAL SAFETY RULES: no marbles in the mouth, no removing tubing/hose! ! !
TO MAKE:
Turn table/top over. (If edges are sharp, measure and attach 1/4' sliced lengthwise vinyl aquarium tubing all around center and outer edge, or use an old 1/2" vinyl unlined water hose the same way AFTER the table is painted. If metal edge is rusty, sand/prime before the following directions.) Use common sense about protecting the child from cuts. Remind them never to remove tubing/hose. If table is too damaged, pass and watch for one being tossed on curb that's better.
Clean and prepare surface for fresh paint, sanding nicks, scratches, gloss with med. to fine sandpaper, wiping dust/dirt with clean lintless rag and alcohol.
On completely dry top, draw pencil circles about three inches apart , starting from middle or from outer edge.
Using enamel paint of various colors, beginning from the center, paint each 3" ring a different color, allowing each color to totally dry before moving to another, skipping a ring between painting, then going back to skipped rings.
Use BLACK OR WHITE PERMANENT MARKER OR PAINT PEN TO CAREFULLY NUMBER EACH RING AS TO WHAT THE PLAYER'S SCORE WILL BE AFTER EACH SHOT. Mark in 1" lettering/numbering.
Leave 6" ring at outside edge for "out of bounds", "no points".
Suggestions: use Red for the center ring, graduating according to the Rainbow, if possible, for each ring thereafter for the most pleasing appearance. Otherwise, use what you have perhaps graduating light to dark or vice-versa.
Sand one last time, all new paint rings with fine paper.
Use coat of polyurethane clear paint after all coats are dry 24 hours. Keep dry from moisture between all coats of paint. Once painted, the vinyl flannel-backed tablecloth should be sufficient to keep moisture to a minimum. Store under a larger table, if you are lucky enough to have one. Or, cut/paint cardboard top from appliance box for lay-on top.
PRAISE ANY CHILD THAT HELPED TO MAKE THIS PROJECT, even if only for a few minutes of help. It will encourage them to help longer another time. Allow them to tell friends that they helped, too.
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