Fold Up Stable Car Activity Tray

I am going to show you how to make a road trip activity tray for your kids to color and play on.

Step 1: Measure and Cut

first measure how tall and how wide you want your trays to be.   then take a piece of masenite or 1/4" ply and cut 2 pieces to that size.  for my saturn vue I cut 13" by 12".

Step 2: Screw on Hinges

next screw on 2 small hinges each about an inch from the sides of the wood.  make sure that your screws are not too long and that your wood will close all the way and open to 90 degrees.

Step 3: Drill Holes and Attach String or Cord

drill holes about a half inch from the sides and about half ways down the bottom (tray) part of your wood.   then drill two holes on the top piece of wood about 2 inches from the very top.  and two holes about 2 inches from the bottom of the top piece of wood.   run cord or string through the to bottom holes on the top tray and the in your car see how long it needs to be to tie off to fit around the front see.  then run cord through  one on the Tray holes and then through the very top 2 holes and then back down through the other tray hole. run the top of the sting under the front head rest and then tie off one of the sides and then put the tray to the desired position and tie off the other end.


now you have a fold up / removable activity tray

Comments

[nneul]

While this is a good idea in theory, this is a very poor idea for in the car, especially with children. In a crash you will have a stiff piece of wood right towards the soft belly of a child. Even in a car seat (if the car seat is put in correctly and is used correctly- close to 90% are not) the child will still move forward and this could really injury the child in a crash.

I could see this being handy for eating in the car at a parking lot or right before an activity when your on the run... but would not recommend using this while the car is in motion.

[ATTILAtheHUNgry]

This tray is a really good idea in theory. My brothers and I would always play cards, or draw, or play board games in the back seat for hours at a time during our long road trips, and something like this would have been quite useful.

But I agree with nneul, first thing I thought when I saw this was "wrap some foam around the edges and corners. I can't count the number of times a quick braking job by our parents (rogue deer, old lady crossing the street, etc.) caused my little bro to bang his head (and eyes) into the (thankfully soft, padded) back of the seat in front of him.

I like this idea though, maybe use some of that spongy foam that they make water noodles (you know, those pool toys) out of to trim the edges. Just an idea. Sorry to be a downer :) Very creative idea.

[Takashi_Nanami]

Yeah that is a good idea. I had wanted to go back and redo the activity tray but never found the time to. thanks for the constructive criticism. ^-^ The tray also is pretty good though, still, if you look at the length of it, because when I would sit with it in front of me it only came to just barely past my knees, so I wouldn't be too worried about hitting it in a car accident. ^-^

[schoonovermr]

good idea. i wish i had one of those on long car trips...