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How to make a family movie night treats tray

By Bunnings magazine /

Soda and popcorn tray sitting on a bed tray while in a picnic style movie night is happening

Overview

Make family movie nights at home with the kids a whole lot sweeter in just a few steps. Follow this simple D.I.Y. craft project to create your own popcorn tray and choc-top holder, retro-style treat holders that children and grown-ups alike will love.

 

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, ear muffs, mask and disposable gloves for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Popcorn tray

    Child holding a painted wooden crate tray labelled ‘popcorn’ with buckets of popcorn inside.
  2. 2

    Spray-paint crate and mask sides

    Spray a 32cm plywood crate all over with three coats of white paint, drying after each. Mask the sides and top, then spray-paint the corner supports red, as before.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: Use a large cardboard box on its side as a paint ‘booth’.
    A wooden crate with painters tape attached, inside a sideways cardboard box. An uncapped can of spray paint is next to it.
  3. 3

    Spray-paint letters and fix with adhesive

    Place your chosen letters on scrap paper and spray-paint the front surfaces gold, as before. Remove the painter’s tape from the dry crate. Position and fix the dry letters on the face of the crate with reusable adhesive.

    A piece of paper with wooden craft letters spelling ‘popcorn’ laid out on top. A can of spray paint and a box set of craft letters are next to it.
  4. 4

    Secure ribbon to handles

    To finish off your popcorn tray, cut the ribbon to approximately 1.3m and tie each end securely to the handles of the crate to form a strap. Now it’s ready to place over your head and pretend you’re a retro popcorn seller at the movies. Anyone for popcorn?

    A craft wooden box labelled ‘popcorn’ with the corners painted red and straps attached to the handles. Scissors and red ribbon sit in front of it.
  5. 5

    Choc-top stand

    Child holding a painted wooden crate tray labelled ‘ice cream’ with chocolate-dipped ice creams on display.
  6. 6

    Mark holes on crate

    To mark the four end holes for the choc-top stand on a 32cm craft crate, measure 40mm in from the long edges and 60mm in from the short edges. Then mark the two centre holes halfway between.

    A wooden crate with crosses marked on the bottom in pencil. A pencil and a ruler lay on top of it
  7. 7

    Drill holes and smooth

    Wearing safety gear and using a 30mm spade bit, drill all 6 holes at the marks. Using 180-grit abrasive paper, smooth inside and around the holes to remove any breakout. Wipe away dust with a damp cloth and allow to dry.

    A wooden crate with holes in the bottom of it. A cordless drill sits next to it.
  8. 8

    Spray-paint and fix letters

    Following steps 1 and 2 of the popcorn tray (see D.I.Y. craft guide above), mask the top to keep it as raw timber, then spray-paint the outside white. Paint the corner supports and chosen letters gold, then fix the dry letters to the crate.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: Reuse your crates by swapping around the lettering to suit the family movie night menu.
    A wooden crate with painters tape covering the bottom of it. A pair of scissors and a roll of tape sit next to it
  9. 9

    More movie night treats!

    Don’t just stop at the popcorn tray and the choc top holder – you can adapt this family movie night craft project for even more old-school snack holders! Why not try and repeat a similar process and make a drinks crate for soda bottles, a lolly box or a frozen bananas tray, using crates in different sizes and shapes.

    Child holding a painted wooden crate tray labelled ‘choc bananas’ with chocolate-coated frozen bananas on display
  10. 10

    Keep in mind…

    • When painting or using a power tool to drill into timber, always wear the recommended safety equipment and work in a well-ventilated area.
    • Painted surfaces are not food-safe.
    • Keep all paint and chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.

    Paint colours may vary on application.

  11. 11

    Want more family movie night inspiration?

    Check out our guide to create an outdoor cinema at home.

    Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

     

    Photo Credit: Cath Muscat

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.