How to Build a Children's Picnic Table

Children love to have a place of their own. Giving children a picnic table that is the right size allows them to play and eat without feeling awkward at a large table. The children's table also allows adults to have more room at their table. Building a picnic table for children is a difficult project to complete alone. Find someone to help you with the project and start building the perfect pint-sized picnic table.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• 2 2-by-4 pieces of wood cut to 28 1/2 inches
• 2 2-by-6 pieces of wood cut to 57 1/2 inches
• 4 2-by-6 pieces of wood cut to 32 inches
• 9 2-by-4 pieces of wood cut to 48 inches
• 1 2-by-4 pieces of wood cut to 27 inches
• 2 2-by-4 pieces of wood cut to 19 1/4 inches
• Protractor
• 12 3/8-by-3-inch carriage bolts, washers and nuts
• Circular saw
• Electric or cordless drill with screwdriver tip and wood-boring bits
• 2 sawhorses
• Tape measure
• Bar clamps
• Wrenches and ratchet handle or sockets
• 60 2-1/2-inch deck screws
• Sanding block or power sander with 120-grit sandpaper
• Brush or pad to apply wood sealer or stain
• Wood stain and sealer

Assemble the Frame

1. Measure and cut the boards to the appropriate lengths stated in the "Things You'll Need" section.
2. Use a protractor to mark 60-degrees angles at both ends of the 32-inch boards. Cut the boards at the marked angles. These boards are the legs for the children's table.
3. Measure and mark the middle of the 28-1/2-inch boards. Measure and draw a mark 11-3/4 inches to the right and left of the center marks.
4. Place a table leg at one of the 11-3/4-inch marks on a 28-1/2-inch board. Line up the angled end so the table leg moves diagonally away from the other board. Do the same with another table leg at the mark on the opposite side of the 28-1/2 board. The 3 boards should look like the top of the letter "A." Measure the distance between the outsides of the table legs. It should equal 52-1/4 inches.
5. Clamp all of the pieces into place.
6. Drill 2 3/8-inch holes through each leg and the connecting 28-1/2-inch support board. Insert carriage bolts into the holes. Secure the boards by tightening washers and nuts onto the bolts with a wrench or socket wrench.
7. Measure and mark the spot 9-1/2 inches up from the bottom of each table leg.
8. Connect a 57-1/2 inch board horizontally across the table legs at the 9-1/2-inch mark. This makes the children's table seat brace. Insert the carriage bolts and tighten on the washers and nuts.
9. Tighten all the nuts and bolts. Repeat these steps to create the other side of the table frame.

Attach the Seats and Tabletop

10. Draw a vertical line 8 inches from both ends of the 48-inch boards.
11. Stand up one of the boards. Line up the 8-inch mark with one of the seat braces on the table frame. The 48-inch board should sit on top of and flush with the end of the seat brace.
12. Screw 2 deck screws into the boards where they connect.
13. Pick up the other table frame. Place the opposite end of the 48-inch board on top of its seat brace. Line up the 8-inch mark with the brace. Drill 2 more deck screws through both boards to secure them. You have just made half of a seat.
14. Place another 48-inch board flush with the 1/2-seat you have just created. Attach it with 2 deck screws on each end. Repeat these steps on the other side of the table frame.
15. Position the remaining marked 48-inch boards across the top of the table frame. Line up the 8-inch marks with the horizontal tabletop support. Make the ends of the boards flush with the edge of the table brace.
16. Screw 2 deck screws through each 48-inch board and into the horizontal tabletop supports.

Attach the Table Braces

17. Turn the table upside down.
18. Lay the 27-inch boards across and perpendicular to the tabletop's boards. These are braces for the tabletop.
19. Screw the braces down with 2 deck screws on each end. Be careful not to drive screws up and through the tabletop.
20. Measure and mark 3-11/16 inches from one end of the 19-1/4-inch boards. Cut a 45-degree angle at the mark.
21. Measure and mark 3-5/16 inches from the other end of the 19-1/4-inch boards. Cut a 45-degree angle at that mark in the board. You have just made diagonal table braces.
22. Attach the diagonal braces to the tabletop at one end and the seat brace at the other. Start from the center of the tabletop near the tabletop brace. Carefully secure the diagonal brace into the tabletop. Now, screw the diagonal brace into the center of the seat brace. Drive the deck screws in at an angle so they don't come through the other side of the tabletop or seat brace.
23. Sand the edges of the boards to avoid splinters.
24. Stain the table with a water resistant sealant. If using untreated lumber, stain the wood with an exterior stain and sealer.

Tips & Warnings

• Use deck screws not drywall screws. Drywall screws rust over time.
• For best results use cedar, redwood or other durable outdoor woods.
• Do not cut the 19-1/2-inch board until you need them. When the tables are assembled, the size needed for the diagonal braces varies.

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