Here are a set of DIY kids picnic table plans. This is an easy weekend project, where you don’t need a lot of special tools. Even better, it only take a limited amount of materials, so it shouldn’t be expensive at all. I actually have most of the materials for this one laying around under my deck from when we extended it last summer.

Materials:

• 3 – 1×6 deck boards at 8′ (you can use Trex, or standard wood deck boards)
• 2 – 2×4 at 8′
• 1 – 2×2 at 4′
• 1 – 1×4 at 6′

Tools Required:

• Circular saw
• Miter saw or Table saw(optional)
• Drill / Driver
• Square
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Tape measure
• Exterior wood glue
• Assorted wood screws

Step 1: Cut the leg pieces

There are 8 total leg pieces in these kids picnic table plans. Four of them are short legs, and four of them are the long legs. But all short legs are cut the exact same way, and all of the long legs are cut the exact same way. So you just need to follow the cut diagram below and make four of each piece.

Note that the legs are assembled using a half lap joint. This means that where the boards overlap, half of the thickness is removed from each so they can overlap. Using the measurements in the diagram below, mark the outside edges for each lap joint. Use a circular saw or table saw with the blade set to 3/4″ (half of the thickness of the 2×4) and make multiple passes between the lines of each lap joint to make kerf cuts. Once you have enough kerf cuts made, you should be able to knock out the excess material with a hammer, then clean up the excess with a chisel.

Step 2: Assemble the legs and add top support

After you have the legs cut, assemble them using wood glue and the 1″ wood screws. Use the wood glue liberally in the lap joints, along with four exterior grade wood screws. I prefer to screw from the inside out, so as to hide the screw heads.

Once both sets of legs are assembled, cut two 20 1/2″ pieces from your 2×2. You can go a little longer than this (up to 22 1/2″), but I like to have this board a little more hidden so I suggest cutting it short so it can be recessed in from the edges more. This also helps prevent kids from banging their knees on the ends.

Once you have the 2×2 cut to length cut a 45 degree miter on each end, starting about a 1/2″ down from the top. This eliminates a sharp corner that kids could get hurt on. Ensure that the top edge is flush with the top of the table legs, then use wood glue and 2 1/2″ exterior wood screws from the outside to fasten these supports in place.

Step 3: Attach bench supports

Given that we’re making this table 3′ wide, I don’t like to have just the 1×6 deck boards as the only thing providing support for the kids while they are sitting. So in these kids picnic table plans I used a 1×4 board as a stretcher between the two sets of legs. You could also use a 2×4 board if you happen to have an extra one of those laying around, or if you want more support. Cut your support to 31″ in length, and then use two 2 1/2″ wood screws from the outside of the legs through each end of the supports. Alternatively, if you have a Kreg jig, you could use pocket hole screws from the underside of the supports.

Step 4: Cut and attach benches and table boards

Now that you have the frame assembled, the last step is to simply cut your deck boards to length and attach. Cut six pieces to 36″ in length. For the benches, I center the board over the legs and use wood glue and 1 1/2″ screws coming up through the 1×4 supports to secure the bench seats in place.

For the top boards, find the center top supports you added in Step 2. Set your two center top boards just offset from this mark so that there is about a 1/8″ gap between them. The center mark should be in this 1/8″ gap. Ensure that there is a 1″ overhang on each end, and use two 2″ wood screws on each end coming up from the 2×2 support. After the two middle boards are attached, attach the two outer boards leaving a 1/8″ gap between the boards and 2″ wood screws from underneath.

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