Our favorite kids picnic table! Designed to fit bigger kids, this super sturdy picnic table is big enough to sit a small adult too! Super easy to build design has been built hundreds of times already! Build photo submitted by Fethiye
This table is a little taller than our preschool picnic table plan https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/preschool-picnic-table and made a little tougher – out of 2x boards instead of 1x boards. It's super easy and fun to make.
And like all plans that I design, careful consideration was made on ease of building AND conservation of materials. For example, the top is exactly two 2×6 boards. Less waste = less supplies = less money! Gotta save you money wherever we can!
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Preparation
2 – 2×6 Boards, 8′ Long
6 – 2×4 Boards, 8′ Long
2 1/2″ Screws or Bolts (bolts will need to be at least 3″ long and you will need washers and nuts)
4 – 2×6 @ 48″ (Tabletop)
2 – 2×4 @ 23 1/2″ (Tabletop Supports)
4 – 2×4 @ 26″ (Legs, DO NOT CUT UNTIL REVIEWING THE ANGLES)
2 – 2×4 @ 40 1/2″ (Seat Supports)
1 – 2×4 @ 37″ (Bottom Support)
4 – 2×4 @ 48″ (Seat Boards)
Work on a clean level surface. Take a square of your project after each step. Predrill and countersink your screw holes. Use proper safety precautions and equipment.
Instructions
Step 1
Tabletop. Begin by cutting your tabletop supports (shown above in blue) as shown above. You can either fasten through the tabletop with screws or you can predrill through the underside of the supports into the underside of the tabletop boards. Leave a 1/2″ gap between the tabletop boards. Use glue and 2 1/2″ screws when fastening through the top.
Step 2
Legs. Cut your legs as shown above, with a 30 degree angle off square on both ends. Then use 2 1/2″ screws to fasten the legs to the tabletop supports. You could also use bolts for a stronger table.
Step 3
Seat Supports. Cut the ends of your seat supports as shown above. The angle is 45 degrees. Then fasten the seat supports to the legs as shown above.
TIP: cut two blocks 6-1/2” long and use as spacers to set the seat supports- there is 6-1/2 inches between the tabletop support and seat support.
Use a level on the seat supports to make sure you are fastening the seat supports level to the tabletop. Use 2 1/2″ screws and glue. If you fasten from the inside, you can hide your screw holes.
Step 4
Bottom Support. Take a square of your table by measuring from the opposite tips of the legs. If the diagonals do not match, from the longer diagonal, push the opposite ends together until the diagonals match. Fasten your support in place as shown above. Use 2 1/2″ screws.
Step 5
Step 6
Finishing. Fill your screw holes and sand and finish as desired.
Comments
The Mrs. (not verified)
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 14:32
I love, love, love your blog,
I love, love, love your blog, and I will be here reading... once a day or 3 times a week. however much you end up posting. :) I'm not a mom, and I can't imagine what a balancing act life must be when you have other people to look after... kudos to you for listening to your heart. :)
Michelle (not verified)
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 14:48
Hi Ana,Thanks for posting
Hi Ana,
Thanks for posting this. I'm planning to build it soon. I do have a question though. On the shopping list, it calls for 4-2x6 boards, but in the post above, you said you designed the top to use only 2 2x6 boards. Will I just need to buy two?
Also, I know exactly what you mean about kids feeling left out over time spent in front of the computer. I used to review books on my blog, but I found that creating the posts used up so much time that my kids were unhappy with the time I spent on my blog, and I also realized all the time I spent making posts could be better used actually reading new books, rather than reviewing. Please don't stop making plans ( I love your site!), but definitely feel free to take a few giant steps back if you need to. Even if you only posted 2-3 times a week, I'd still be really happy. Enjoy your family ... we will all wait patiently for your amazing plans!
Anonymous (not verified)
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 14:54
Ana, first of all thank you
Ana, first of all thank you for all your hard work with this blog and your devotion with your readers. I wanted to share with you a quote that was on my Love Dare Devotional for today: "Life is a marathon, not a sprint. This means you must balance, prioritize and pace yourself." This was the quote for today that I so needed to hear as I myself was feeling overwhelmed. Hope this brings you some peace.
INSANITY ENJOYED (not verified)
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 16:23
I was hoping for a bigger kid
I was hoping for a bigger kid picnic table. Thank you!! Its hard to find that balance between our family, ourselves and what each of us needs. I think you are on the way to finding more of a balance. Downshift as much as you need to. We'll understand and all still be here.
Valerie (not verified)
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 16:49
Oh, the balance of Mama/Wife
Oh, the balance of Mama/Wife and blogger! I won't hate you if you only blog once a week. :) If you keep up the pace that you have now you are going to crash and burn. You can't please everyone all the time - but your family comes first. Thanks for all you do! :)
Jenny @ Anythi… (not verified)
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 17:42
Just wanted to agree with
Just wanted to agree with everyone else....you must be approaching burn out right now. Just do what you can to balance you life and we will be so happy with whatever you give us. Love your blog (no matter how much you post).
deneki (not verified)
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 19:23
Ana, I built a couple of
Ana,
I built a couple of picnic tables about 10 years ago now. I didn't want the tops to be "normal" so I used 2x6's and 2x2's in a pattern of 2x6, 2x2, 2x2, 2x6 and so on. I started with the middle, making sure it was a 2x6 because I then drilled a hole into it to accept an umbrella. On one I also built a receiver slot for the umbrella on a board that runs the length of the table between the lower side supports. On the other I use one of those store bought umbrella holders. I prefer the table with the receiver I made.
Anyway, just a fun way to mix up the look of our picnic tables.
Sheri
Anonymous (not verified)
Thu, 04/01/2010 - 20:19
Awww, Ana, I know that had to
Awww, Ana, I know that had to be a blow to your mama's heart.
I think it's completely fair for you to sit back and enjoy your family for awhile. As much as I loveloveLOVE your blog and check it waaay too much to dream over the new plans, your family comes FIRST, and as someone who put the brakes on a blog to spend more time living life, I completely understand.
And applaud. =)
Enjoy relaxing a little, and know that your readers adore you and will look forward to your posts, no matter how often they come along.
You're an inspiration! =)
Rachel B.
Michaela at Th… (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 01:04
Good for you Ana. And good
Good for you Ana. And good for your daughter. I hope you find a balance with your writing that feels like it is giving more than it is taking. Selfishly, your fans, (me!), hope that you continue writing and helping others with furniture plans for many years. This is a long journey, not a short sprint. You have a book to work on, and many other goals. This blog is wonderful service - and there are YEARS worth of building plans here.
Please always put yourself and your family first, and then you will have the energy and spirit to give to your work goals.
xo Michaela
kanishk (not verified)
Fri, 04/02/2010 - 01:27
I think everyone would agree
I think everyone would agree that we'd rather see you cut back & find your balance than burn out and stop completely.
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