The Easiest Way to Convert Your Toddler Train Table into a Duplo Table

Inside: We love our train table, but there are times when we would rather use it for construction in our block area. We’ve found the easiest solution that converted our table into a fun Duplo building area!

I was ecstatic when I was able to rescue a train table that was about to be hauled to Goodwill.

I mean, who wouldn’t want a train table in their classroom?

This is our 2nd school year with a train table in our block area, and while I love it, I realized I would like to be able to use it for more than just trains.

So, when I learned that the train table could also be used with Duplo style bricks, I was thrilled.

And so were our 2 and 3 year olds!

👉 Make sure to scroll all the way down for something special!

Disclosure: I was given the Peel ‘n Stick Baseplates and the Stuff ‘n Sit for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

The Easiest Way to Convert Your Toddler Train Table into a Duplo Table

My students love Duplo bricks.

In fact, when they are having one of their extra energetic days, I’ve been known to pull out the basket of Duplos for an instant activity that seems to have a calming affect.

However, when I did this, it meant dumping all the bricks out of the basket and onto the carpet.

I wanted a spot that could be designated for Duplo building with a solid base.

But we have no more room for another table.

I’m sure many of you teachers can relate.

This was about the time that Creative QT contacted me, asking if they could send me some of their products to review.

When I jumped on their website and saw the Peel ‘N Stick Building Block Baseplates, I might have did a little happy dance.

It occurred to me right then that we could use these baseplates on our train table!

Our train table top has 2 sides. I’ve never understood why, to be honest, because both are pretty much the same.

We never bothered to flip it to the other side because … why? What was the point?

But after seeing the baseplates, I decided we could devote one side of the train table to those, and keep the other side as it was, so that we could easily go back to playing with trains.

Before the children arrived in the morning, I followed the directions on the package and stuck the baseplates to one side of our train table.

We placed some Duplo style bricks on top of the table.

When the children arrived, they were even more excited than I had been.

They now had a designated spot for their beloved Duplo building!

I was very impressed with the quality of these baseplates. We used 2 kits and they fit together nicely.

The construction grade adhesive holds them firmly in place.

In fact, Creative QT’s website says they can be applied to walls.

Now, wouldn’t that be a fun addition to the classroom?

I am so happy that this train table can now be used for more than just … trains.

I love that we can have some construction going on.

I also appreciate that whenever we want to play with our trains we simply just need to flip the table’s surface over.

No need for 2 different tables (which would not fit in our classroom anyways).

Do you have a train table in your classroom that can be used for other purposes?

I highly recommend adding these baseplates. And if you add them, send me a photo so I can see!

And there’s even more goodness!

Creative QT also sent me a Stuff ‘n Sit Stuffed Animal Storage Bean Bag Pouf.

If you have a bunch of stuffed animals that your students love, but don’t have storage, THIS is the solution!

Last week I decided we needed to devote our shelves to our table activities.

But that’s also where we store some of our many stuffed animals.

So I left them temporarily on the floor, in a pile, and decided to put Creative QT’s Stuff and Sit to use.

I selected the standard size bag that holds about 50 stuffed animals. (There is also an extra large size that holds about 90 animals.)

Talk about easy!

I simply opened the package, unfolded and unzipped the bag, and started stuffing it with our toy animals.

Now all of our little stuffed friends can still be in the room, but in one spot.

Now here’s the cool part.

Once it’s stuffed and zipped, you have another seat for the children to use!

For now it’s in our dramatic play area (where it matches our other furniture!), but I’m thinking about moving this to our calm down area, since it’s so soft and comfortable.

Or…it would be a nice addition to our book corner!

Oh, the decisions. But I love this bean bag’s quality and design, and know it will get good use.

About Creative QT:

Creative QT was founded by parents of five, Adam and Dana Sue Hinkle. They create products that enhance play based learning, something that I feel very strongly about as an early childhood educator.