The Ikea Flisat table is one of the most versatile products you can invest in for the playroom. Sold as a desk like table, the Flisat can be used for storage, art and crafts, and, best of all, sensory play!
We’ve had a lot of fun experimenting with how to incorporate the Flisat into our daily play and, together with our toddlers, have discovered some awesome Flisat hacks. We wanted to share our guide to the best Flisat Table hacks that we have used to enhance learning and play.
15 Best Ikea Flisat Table Hacks
With two young toddlers (currently aged 1 and 2) we’ve had a Flisat table in our playroom for the last couple of years. It gets incorporated into our play almost daily. These are our best Ikea Flisat Table hacks!
Buying a Flisat
The Flisat is available in Ikea stores although, at the moment, it can be difficult to find stock. While it is a little more expensive, you can find the Flisat for sale on Amazon. It’s a great option if you can’t make it to a store or it’s out of stock – check prices now!
Flisat Table Hacks: Table Uses
The Flisat can easily be used as an arts and craft desk and, if you have trays, for toy or stationary storage. Our other favorite uses of the Flisat include:
1 | Transform the Flisat into a sensory table
This is the main reason why the Flisat table is such a sought-after playroom addition. The desk and storage aspects are great for sure but it is ability to transform the Flisat into a sensory table that makes it stand out.
Sensory play is a fantastic tool to encourage kids to explore, engage and create and lends itself to many themes.
With the addition of some Ikea Trofast trays the Flisat can then be used for sensory bins as a set up for sensory play. We have two 42 x 30 x 10 cm bins and four 20 x 30 x 10cm bins which we switch out depending on the type of sensory play.
By mixing up the bin sizes and depth it is easy to create a range of sensory play activities which will encourage interaction, learning and exploration.
Another bonus of the Flisat is that it can be set up so one or two kids can use it at the same time.
Flisat table hacks tip: our kids are 2 and 3 so we often set up identical sensory play activities using the same bin set up on each side of the table. It is also easy to construct two sets of age appropriate sensory bins so they can each engage in a separate activity.
Items needed:
- Ikea Trofast Storage Trays: $2 to $4 + tax depending on size and depth
- Play sets: for our construction set up any basic truck set like this one will work, just make sure it can get wet and muddy! We also love road tape like this as we can build roads for the kids anywhere. We use it all the time and it works great
2 | Use the Flisat as a weaning table
A weaning table is essentially just a table and chairs which are a comfortable height for toddlers to use independently. With two toddlers who eat together frequently during the day we love the concept of a weaning table and the Flisat is a perfect match.
The Flisat is the perfect height for snacking toddlers and allows them the independence to eat at a table rather than in their highchair. It also allows us to get on with other tasks while they eat independently and socialise together at the table!
Flisat table hacks tip: if you plan to use the Flisat table as a weaning table then check out hack 11 for the best chairs to accompany the table.
Flisat Table Hacks: Accessorizing
The dimensions of the Flisat table and the Trofast bins work really well with a variety of toys, some of which you might already have in your playroom.
3 | Sink Play
Our kids each have a play sink with taps which run water which they both adore. We pop one into the large Trofast bin on each side of the Flisat table: the sinks fit snugly into the bin so there’s no accidental toppling over. As a result, there’s very little mess and the sinks are at a perfect height for toddler play.
Make sure to put a towel under your little one if you are using this inside so they don’t slip on any spilled water.
Items Needed
- Play sinks: There are lots of options on Amazon for sinks. This sink is a good option that will fit the Flisat bin – check prices on Amazon!
We also have this Minnie Mouse sink that our little girl loves. The tap has to be held for the water to run so it’s great for the battery and motor but can be a challenge for younger toddlers – check prices on Amazon!
4 | Turn your Flisat into a light table
Light tables are a fantastic visual sensory tool and can be used to illustrate and explore a vast range of learning concepts. They are also expensive! One of our favorite Flisat hacks is that it can double up as a light table with the addition of some LED lights in the Trofast bin and a Trofast lid to create the light box effect. It works great with magnetic tiles and rainbow blocks.
For a full guide on how to convert the Flisat into a Lego table check out our Flisat DIY Light table hack.
Items Needed
- Ikea Trofast bins and lids : $1 to $4 + tax depending on tray and lid size.
- Frosted lid: an acrylic frosted lid is a great alternative to the Trofast bin lid (and lots prefer this as it doesn’t have the hole in the middle like the Trofast lids!). They are available on Etsy or you can have a piece cut to size in a homeware store – check prices on Etsy!
- Light Table Accessories: there are so many awesome light table accessories which our kids love. Their favorite accessory is magnetic tiles (we have a Magna-Tiles set and a PicassoTiles set which they adore). These rainbow blocks are a close second and get hours and hours of play on and off the light table. I also love the learning opportunities this translucent alphabet set offers and these paddles are great for exploring color mixing.
Lights: There are two main options for the lights. Note that adult supervision is required for both of these options as there are batteries required.
- LED Puck lights: we love using Puck lights as they are more flexible and you can easily take the lights out when you’re finished. You can buy a cheap set of remote controlled LED puck lights, something like this set and pop in the bin as required.
- LED Strip: It’s also easy to affix an LED strip light around the inside of the Flisat bin which is remote controlled. Make sure to choose a set which can be powered using a USB battery bank (something like this set) – this means you don’t have to worry about cables or being close to a power source.
5 | Custom Lids
There are some really awesome custom designed Flisat lids available which are great for sensory play and learning. Our collection includes shape and color sorting and some colorful rainbow fun. Etsy is one of the best places to find these fantastic Flisat play additions. Our favorites include:
- Shape sorting: shape sorting is an excellent starter activity for younger kids. We painted this one ourselves but there are similar available on Etsy – check prices now!
- Numeracy/counting lids: we love to incorporate the Flisat into our number learnings – check prices on Etsy!
- Color sorting lids: color soring lids are available for both the large trofast bins and the small trofast bins – check prices on Etsy!
We also love themed inserts, like this small bin bee Trofast insert which we used for our bee sensory bin:
6 | Lego time!
The Flisat makes a great Lego table with a few simple accessories which are a playroom essential for most toddlers! For a full guide on how to convert the Flisat into a Lego table check out our Ikea Lego table hack.
You will need a Duplo compatible building plate with a maximum size of 38.1 cm x 25.4cm (15 inches x 10 inches) so it fits on one Flisat table lid. Remember to purchase two building plates if you want to put one on each lid – check prices on Amazon!
We used command strips to attach it to the Flisat table lid and store the Duplo pieces in a Trofast box under the Flisat.
7 | Use the Trofast lids for sensory play
The Trofast tray lids are only a few dollars extra and make for a great sensory play tool. Pom poms, paper straws and pipe cleaners can all be pushed through the lid much to the delight of younger kids.
Items needed:
- Ikea Trofast lids $1 to $1.50 + tax depending on tray size
- Craft supplies: We find that pom poms and colorful straws work really well on with the Flisat – buy now on Amazon!
Flisat Table Hacks tip: some sensory play tools such as pom poms are a choking hazard. Always use materials which are suitable for your kids’ age and play level and never leave kids unattended when using any items which may be a choking hazard.
8 | Chalkboard fun
My kids love working with chalk so I decided to transform one of my Flisat lids into a chalkboard – it just took a couple of coats of Rustoleum chalkboard paint and a quick prime.
To prime the chalkboard rub the side of a piece of chalk over the surface of the chalkboard lid a few times using vertical and horizontal strokes and then wipe off the excess chalk with a dry paper towel.
9 | Latches fun
If you have the Melissa and Doug Wooden Latches Board then pop it on top of one of the sensory trays in the Flisat. Our latches board got a new lease of play life when we did this!
Ikea Flisat Table hack tips: We just wanted to mention it as we know lots of you have the latches board and it’s great to get some extra mileage from an old toy! The Melissa and Doug latches board is a fantastic toy which is well loved in our playroom but we wouldn’t buy it specifically to put in the Flisat.
Items needed:
- Melissa and Doug Wooden Latches Board – the board fits perfectly on the Flisat – buy now on Amazon!
Flisat Table Hacks: Set up
There are a few options that work great for setting up the Flisat:
10 | Reduce the height of the Flisat table
Is the Flisat table too tall for your little one? An easy solution is to swap out the legs of the Flisat table with the legs of the matching Flisat stools. This will reduce the height of the table by about 20cm (8 inches) and the stool legs can be easily be switched out for the taller table legs as your little one grows taller.
Flisat table hack tip: The flisat is 48cm, or almost 19 inches tall. The stools are 28 cm (11 inches) tall.
Items needed:
Ikea Flisat Stools: the Flisat stool are available in Ikea stores. You can also usually find the stools for sale on Amazon – check prices now!
11 | Use Latt chairs
Ikea have complemented the Flisat table with a matching stool. However, many parents prefer a seat with a back for younger kids. Our solution: switch out our Latt chairs from our Latt children’s table set. They work perfectly with the table!
Flisat table hacks tip: our kids love standing at the Flisat so you can easily go chair free if you wish. We just happened to have a Latt children’s table in our playroom already and figured the chairs work really well with the Flisat. It also works great when the kids are eating at the table.
Items needed:
- Ikea Latt (table and chairs set) $29.99 + tax
12 | Stand little ones in the middle of the table
My one year old loves standing in the middle of table when she’s using the Trofast bins. It helps her navigate the table and the sensory play set up more easily and she’s less likely to run around with messy materials. Win win for both of us!
Minimize the Mess!
Sensory play is often messy but we have a few Flisat table hacks that will help minimize the mess!
13 | Tape the corners
If you’ve used sensory fillers such as colored rice or play sand with the Flisat then you have probably have spent a considerable time trying to extract tiny particles of rice or flour from the corners of the table cut outs. We’re speaking from experience here!
We’ve found that sticking duct tape or painters tape in each of the corners prevents small bits getting stuck in the corners – buy now on Amazon!
You’ll also need to stick some between the bins if you are using two small bins on either side.
Ikea Flisat Table hack tips: an old crib sheet placed around the table and bins will also work well for this.
14 | Organize supplies with a pegboard
Ikea also have a really functional Skadis pegboard which complements the Flisat perfectly and keeps all our Flisat table supplies neat and tidy in the playroom.
15 | Take it to the garden!
Sensory play often gets messy! If you have invested in a Flisat for the purposes of sensory play then don’t be afraid to take it to the garden! We often relocate outdoors when the weather permits and use sensory fillers including bird seed and play mud to have some fun in the garden.
Ikea Flisat Table tip: we only take our table outdoors for the duration of the sensory play. If you want to leave the Flisat outdoors for longer periods then you will probably need to consider treating the wood to weather seal the table.
Which play sink have you found works the best? We have been through two and they broke within a month.
Hi Lindsay
We use this Disney Minnie sink (this one). This Spark sink also works well (this one). My one year old finds the Minnie sink a little more challenging to operate as the tap has to be held to work but my two year old loves it. We water proofed the battery compartment with duct tape before they started playing – I guess that might help with your issue. Ours are 6 months + old and still working well.
Elaine
Hi!
If the legs of the flisat table are swapped with the legs of the matching flisat stools, do the chairs from latt still work with the table?
Hi Monica, I haven’t tried it but I don’t think the chairs would slot in under the table. Or if your little on was sitting on the Latt chair they wouldn’t be able to sit into the table.
Elaine
I don’t see any stains or water damage from wet sensory play. What’s your secret?
Hi Ying-Zi! We haven’t had any issues with water marks so far! We wipe down and dry the flisat immediately after the kids are finished and try not to leave any water sitting on the wood. We’ve found this works great and so far! Hope this helps!
Which trofast storage tray fits two in one opening? Like the photo shown under the “13 Best IKEA Filsat table hacks” headline? Thank you!
Hi Lydia
That’s the 20 x 30 x 10cm (7 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 4″) Ikea Trofast bin. You can fit 2 on each side.
Elaine
Which Trofast storage tray fits into the opening? 1 tray for 1 opening.
The 16.5 x 11.75 x 4 inch bins fit one on each side.
Elaine
Thanks for these useful tips and ideas! I also have a 1 yr old and almost 3 yr old so trying to provide activities for both can be tricky.
Do you have any photos of your light table set up please? I’m trying to work out how we would play with it. X
Hi Amy
I popped in some new pics above. I’ve also got lots of ideas in the DIY Light Table post – if you scroll to the ends there are pics of the set ups I used with my toddlers.
Hope that helps!
Elaine
Do you cover the top for play dough and coloring activities. Or they hold up well and leave no stains.
HI Garima, our lids have been totally fine with the play dough and coloring. I am pretty strict on wiping the table down and cleaning the lids once the kids are finished with it. I do find that if I leave colors or stains on the wood then it might stain over time. You might be able to get new lids cut to size at a hardware store if they do stain.
Elaine