Instructions

1. Paint the primed table and chairs with the three latex colors, alternating the colors as you wish to make the pieces lively and fun. Follow the lines of the furniture to guide you. Allow the paint to dry.
2. To stencil numbers and letters on top of the table, pour a bit of each of the three paints and the accent colors into three separate plastic bowls. Dip a round sponge with one of the colors. Dab off the excess paint onto a paper towel (see photo).
    
   
3. Position the stencil where you want it, and pounce a light coat of paint evenly inside the cutout lines (see photo). Pounce on as many coats as needed to get the coverage you want.
    
   
4. Carefully lift off the stencil to reveal the number or letter (see photo).
    
   
5. If you’re unhappy with the edges, you can clean them up with a damp cotton swab or paper towel (see photo).
    
   
6. Repeat the stenciling process until you’ve covered the top of the table with a variety of letters and numbers in different colors and positions (see photo). Use the two colors of paint that you used on the other parts of your table and chairs, as well as accent colors to give the design some variety.
    
   
7. Position the stick-on letters of the alphabet on the bottom brace of the table or along an edge of the table (see photo).
    
   
8. Add decorative tacks on the bottom brace of the table (see photo). Make certain that they are hammered in well so they can’t be pulled out by a child. Use a small artist’s paintbrush to touch up any areas on the table that need it.