How to Build a Children's Picnic Table

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (4 Ratings)

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

Step1
Measure and cut the boards to the appropriate lengths stated in the "Things You'll Need" section.
Step2
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.
Step3
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.
Step4
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.
Step5
Clamp all of the pieces into place.
Step6
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.
Step7
Measure and mark the spot 9-1/2 inches up from the bottom of each table leg.
Step8
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.
Step9
Tighten all the nuts and bolts. Repeat these steps to create the other side of the table frame.

Attach the Seats and Tabletop

Step1
Draw a vertical line 8 inches from both ends of the 48-inch boards.
Step2
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.
Step3
Screw 2 deck screws into the boards where they connect.
Step4
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.
Step5
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.
Step6
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.
Step7
Screw 2 deck screws through each 48-inch board and into the horizontal tabletop supports.

Attach the Table Braces

Step1
Turn the table upside down.
Step2
Lay the 27-inch boards across and perpendicular to the tabletop's boards. These are braces for the tabletop.
Step3
Screw the braces down with 2 deck screws on each end. Be careful not to drive screws up and through the tabletop.
Step4
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.
Step5
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.
Step6
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.
Step7
Sand the edges of the boards to avoid splinters.
Step8
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.

Comments

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oscar54 said

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on 4/8/2008 having trouble with parts list and construction. top of leg brace 28.5 inches, five-48 inch pieces 17.5 inches does not work for me.

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eHow Article:  How to Build a Children's Picnic Table

eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Category: Home & Garden

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