How to Child Sized Picnic Table Plans

The sturdy construction of this child sized picnic table makes it a stable surface for your child's activities. With basic carpentry skills and common tools you can build this table in a day

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3 1x6x6 boards
• 2 1x3x8 boards
• 12 1/4in carriage bolts 2in long with washers and nuts
• 36 1 3/4in wood screws
• saw
• hammer
• drill
• square
• tape measure
• pencil
• 1/4in and 3/16in drill bits

1. 
    
   picnic table parts

   The first step in building this child sized picnic table is to cut the individual pieces.
   From the 1x3 lumber you will need to cut;
   Part A legs (4 of) 23 1/2 in long with each end cut at a 30 degree angle off square,
   Part B (3 of) braces 24 1/3in long.
   Part C (2 of) seat supports 33in long,
   Part D (2 of) tabletop supports 15 3/4in long,
   
   From the 1x6 lumber you will need to cut;
   Part E (5 of) seat and tabletop boards 35 1/2in long.

2. 
    
   picnic table legs

   Drill holes for Part A (legs) by drawing a line down the center of the board lengthwise. Measuring from the end of the board mark drill holes at 1 3/8in, 9 5/8in and 11in. Drill a 1/4in diameter hole at each of these marks and repeat for each of the 4 legs.

3. 
    
   picnic table braces

   Part B (braces) will be attached with wood screws through the ends so no drilling is required.

4. 
    
   picnic table seat supports

   Drill holes for Part C (seat supports). Draw two lines lengthwise along the board, one at 3/8in from the top and one at 1 5/8in from the top. Mark drill holes at 2 3/4in and 7 3/8in along the top line from each end of the board. Mark drill holes at 2 3/4in and 6 3/4in along the bottom line from each end of the board. Drill 3/16in diameter holes at the four marks 2 3/4in from the ends. The other four holes at 6 3/4in and 7 3/8in are 1/4in diameter.

5. 
    
   picnic table top supports

   Drill holes for Part D (top supports) Draw a line lengthwise along the board 1 3/8in from the top edge. Mark drill holes along this line 3in from each end. Draw a line widthwise across the board at 7 7/8in (center) and mark drill holes 3/4in from the top and bottom edges of the board. Drill 1/4in diameter holes at the two marks 3in from the ends. The two holes along the vertical center line are 3/16in diameter holes.

6. 
    
   picnic table top and seat boards

   Drill holes for Part E (top and seat boards). Draw two lines widthwise 5 1/8in from each end of the board. Along these lines mark two drill holes 1in from the top and bottom edges. All four holes are 3/16in diameter.

7. 
    
   picnic table end frame

   Assemble the end frame by laying one each, top and seat supports (parts c and d) on a flat surface. Lay two legs (part a) on top of the supports. Line up the 1/4in diameter holes and push a 1/4in carriage bolt through each hole. If the hole is to tight for the bolt to slip through, gently tap the bolt through with the hammer. Turn the frame assemble over and place a washer and nut on each of the 6 bolt ends and hand tighten each nut. Ensure that the tops of the legs (part a) are even with the top edge of the top support (part d) and tighten nuts with wrench. Repeat these steps to assemble the other end frame.

8. 
    
   picnic table braces

   Attach the 3 braces (part b) by screwing 1 3/4in wood screws through the pre-drilled holes in the top and seat supports (parts c and d) into each end of the braces. Ensure tops of braces are even with whichever support you are attaching them to.

9. 
    
   child sized picnic table

   Line up two seat boards (part e) on top of seat supports (part c) and attach with 8 1 3/4in wood screws. Center the middle top board (part e) across the top supports (part d) and attach with 4 1 ¾in wood screws. Align two remaining top boards (part e) alongside center board and attach with 8 1 ¾in wood screws.

10. 
     
    how-to with PawPawFrannkie

    I have provide a link in resources where full sized pictures of dimensions and the hole patterns for each piece of this table can be downloaded.

Tips & Warnings

• After cutting and drilling, sand parts to remove burrs and smooth off corners and edges
• Any type of wood may be used, but if intended for outdoor use choose a wood that is naturally resistant to decay such as cedar.
• Paint stain or varnish assembled table to your own preferences.
• Chemicals used to treat wood such as arsenic make for potentially dangerous eating surfaces so I recommend using only UN-treated wood for the three tabletop boards.

Resources

• PawPaw's downloadable picnic table plans
• PawPawFrankie's Homepage

[sonni57]

on 4/10/2009 Good instructions on how to build a picnic table for kids.

[sneedc]

on 4/9/2009 How are all the adults gonna sit at this child-size table? 5*

[slphilbrick]

on 4/6/2009 Now THIS article is perfect to print as a step by step on how to build a child's picnic table ! Great job.

[chevee]

on 4/3/2009 Great article

[georgelarson]

on 3/31/2009 Very useful directions for building a kids size picnic table. Thanks.