Easy DIY Ping Pong Table: 5 Minutes or Less

Little known fact about me: I love ping pong! In high school, I spent an entire summer in a ping pong class in order to fulfill a P.E. credit. I’ve loved it ever since! When I saw an ad for a kit that would let you turn any table into a ping pong table, I became intrigued. I started researching how to make an easy DIY ping pong table.

In the end, I opted for this ~$18 kit that includes a retractable/adjustable net, two paddles, three balls, and a carrying case. I got it for Matt for Christmas. (He also loves ping pong; I promise it wasn’t just a selfish gift!). The hilarious thing is that he also had it on a list of things to buy me for gifts.

Of course I let him open it early because I couldn’t delay my gratification any longer. (And Matt is ALWAYS up for opening presents early).

Now, after the boys go to bed, we quickly convert our dining room table into a ping pong arena. We move the chairs, clean off the ketchup, and pull the table away from the wall a little.

And it is so.much.fun! I have to confess that Matt is winning way more than I am, but I’m still having fun.

Our table isn’t perfect. It’s anything but perfect! It’s made from a 100 year-old piece of reclaimed wood from a pub in the Czech Republic, so it has lots of pock marks and other imperfections. But honestly, the crevices add to the fun! The ball will frequently veer off the table at unexpected angles.

Also, our space is tight. But the tight space adds to the quirky fun of it, too. The ball pings around everywhere, and we have to fight hard to keep it out of the dog’s mouth. (We are babysitting a Husky for two months.)

It’s really fun to have an activity that Matt and I enjoy together. We used to be into gin rummy but then I started playing on an app and now our levels are no longer matched. So dining table ping pong it is!