How to Make a Children's Picnic Table

Building a children's picnic table requires no prior experience in woodworking.

You may remember growing up with a picnic table built especially for you when you were a child. Providing a similar experience for your own children takes little effort and doesn't have to be difficult, so long as you have the right supplies on hand. Not everyone knows how to build a picnic table, but once the process is understood, even those without prior woodworking experience should have no issue throwing a children's picnic table together.

Things You'll Need

• 4 pine legs (1-by-3 feet)
• 3 pine tabletop boards (1-by-6 feet)
• 2 pine tabletop supports (1-by-3 feet)
• 2 pine seat boards (1-by-6 feet)
• 2 pine seat supports (1-by-3 feet)
• 1 pine brace (1-by-3 feet)
• 16 1.25-inch wood screws
• Wood glue (optional)

Instructions

1. Acquire all of your lumber and materials, ensuring that the lumber is cut exactly as listed. If you do not wish to cut your own lumber, your local lumber shop is usually willing to do it for you.

2. Lay the table and seat supports on the ground, placing the legs perpendicularly on top of them. You are working from the bottom up, starting with the base of the table. Connect the legs to the supports with 4 wood screws per intersection.

3. Take your brace piece and place it between the two end frames, securing it with two wood screws. This serves as the main support for the table and ensures that it remains sturdy under weight. Evenly space your brace directly in the middle of the frames.

4. Place the main seat (2) and top (3) boards on top of the seat/top supports. At each intersection, secure the boards with two wood screws, positioning them so that each side is even.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish, glue each joint after fastening with wood screws to ensure structural integrity.

References

• BuildEazy: Kids BBQ Table

Resources

• The Home Depot: Lumber Choices