How to Build a Child Sized Picnic Table

Here is a quick and easy way to build a picnic table for small children (ages 2 to 8). This isn't a highly skilled woodcraft project--it's a basic project that anyone can do with a minimum of tools and skill. It can be used outdoors, but it can also be brought inside during inclement weather, and it can be used as an indoor craft or game table.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Four 8-foot 2 by 4's
• Saw (either a cross cut saw or a jig saw)
• All-weather deck screws, 2 1/2 inches long
• Drill
• Drill bit, the right size for your deck screws
• Screwdriver bit
• Two 4-foot by 8-inch wide pine boards (sometimes sold as shelving boards)
• One 2-foot by 4-foot piece of plywood, at least 1/2-inch thick
• Sandpaper (or electric sander)
• Paint or varnish
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Take one of the 2 by 4's and measure it off into sections of these lengths: 18 inches, 30 inches and two 24 inch sections. Do the same to a second 2 by 4. Use a cross cut saw or a jig saw to cut these sections.

2. 

   You will need to angle the ends of the 24-inch pieces you just cut. The angle needs to be at about 75 degrees. (An easy way to approximate this angle is to make a mark on one side 1 inch from the end. Then draw a line from this mark to the end of the opposite side, as shown in the diagram.) Angle both sides of each 24-inch section, making sure the angles are parallel, as shown.

3. 

   Assemble the parts you just cut to form the ends of the table, as shown in the diagram. Secure at each joint with four deck screws.

4. 

   Cut two pieces of 2 by 4 lumber 38 inches long. Screw to the end of the bench supports using deck screws, as shown in the diagram.

5. 

   Cut two pieces of 2 by 4 lumber 35 inches long. Screw to the upper portions of the end pieces with deck screws, as shown in the diagram.

6. 

   Trim the ends of the pine boards so that they measure 45 inches long. Secure to the table to make the seats, as shown in the diagram.

7. Trim the plywood so that it measures 45 inches by 22 inches. Center the plywood on the top, then secure with screws. (If you would rather not put screws through the table top, you could use right-angle brackets (and very short screws) screwed on from the underside.)

8. Use sand paper (or an electric hand sander, if you have one) to sand off rough edges.

9. Finish the surface using either paint or varnish. It's up to you what color or what kind of finish you want on the table. Follow the directions that come with the paint or varnish.

Tips & Warnings

• Always follow excellent safety procedures when working with power tools.