Furniture

Cool Kids’ Picnic Table

Who says the “kids’ table” has to be a second-class seating arrangement when you gather for meals?

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 5.5–10.5 hours
Cost: $$$

About this build

Who says the “kids’ table” has to be a second-class seating arrangement when you gather for meals? This cool table will have kids clamoring for a seat, and adults wishing they could fit. Whether you use it outdoors or inside, it’s sure to be one of the best seats in the house.

Tools

Essential

Drill / Driver
Miter Saw
Pocket Hole Jig
Random Orbit Sander

Optional / nice to have

Bar / Pipe Clamps
Tape Measure

Materials

Item	Qty
Board, 2x4 96"	5 board
Board, 1x6 96"	8 board
Board, 1x2 96"	3 board
1 1/4" exterior pocket hole screws	78 each
2 1/2" exterior pocket hole screws	36 each
Pound of 2" deck screws	1 each

Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L
Upper Rail	3	1" × 3" × 17"
Upper Stile	2	1" × 3" × 46"
Seat Rail	2	1" × 3" × 46"
End Rail	2	1" × 3" × 45"
Seat Support	2	1" × 3" × 43"
Seat Brace	2	1" × 3" × 9"
Top Board	4	3/4" × 5" × 47"
Long Leg	4	3/4" × 5" × 23"
Side	4	3/4" × 5" × 15"
Top Detail	1	3/4" × 5" × 47"
Side Detail	2	3/4" × 1" × 15"
Bench Top	4	3/4" × 5" × 47"
Short Leg	8	3/4" × 5" × 13"
Bench Detail	2	3/4" × 1" × 47"
Leg Detail	4	3/4" × 1" × 13"
Bench Back	2	3/4" × 5" × 46"

What to buy

Buy 16 boards at 8 ft.

1" × 3"

5 boards

46"46"
46"46"
45"45"
43"43"
17"17"17"9"9"

3/4" × 5"

9 boards

47"47"
47"47"
47"47"
47"47"
47"46"
46"23"23"
23"23"15"15"15"
15"13"13"13"13"13"13"
13"13"

3/4" × 1"

2 boards

47"47"
15"15"13"13"13"13"

Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →

Start building →

Instructions

1Create the Upper Frame Parts
Cut three Upper Rails and two Upper Stiles to length from 2x4 boards (we used cedar), as shown in the cutting diagram. Then, with your pocket hole jig set up for 1 1/2" material, drill pocket holes in the Upper Rails where shown.
2Assemble the Upper Frame
Now you can attach the Upper Rails to the Upper Stiles using 2 1/2" exterior-rated pocket hole screws, as shown.
3Create the Lower Frame Parts
Cut two Seat Rails, two End Rails, two Seat Supports, and two Seat Braces to length from 2x4 boards, as shown in the cutting diagram. Then, with your pocket hole jig set up for 1 1/2" material, drill pocket holes in all the pieces, as shown, except for the Seat Rails.
4Assemble the Lower Frame
Now you can attach the lower frame parts, as shown, using 2 1/2" exterior-rated pocket hole screws. You’ll have limited space when attaching the Seat Braces, so pick up a right-angle drill attachment and a short #2 square-drive bit. You can get both at any home center.
5Create Top Parts
Cut four Top Boards, four Long Legs, and four Sides to length from 1x6 boards (we used pine 1x6s), as shown in the cutting diagram. With your pocket hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Long Legs and Sides where shown.
6Connect the Long Legs
Attach the Long Legs to two of the Top Boards using 1 1/4" exterior-rated pocket hole screws, as shown.
7Connect the Sides
Now attach the Sides to the other two Top Boards using 1 1/4" exterior-rated pocket hole screws, as shown.
8Create Detail Strips
- Cut one Top Detail and two Side Details to length from 1x2 boards (we used cedar), as shown in the cutting diagram. With your pocket hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Side Details where shown.
- Then Assemble the Detail parts using 1 1/4" exterior-rated pocket hole screws.
9Assemble the Top and Frame
- Now you can join all these pieces together to start seeing your table take shape.
- Start by laying the Top Detail assembly face down on a flat surface. Put the Top/Side assemblies on either side, and then flank those with the Top/Long Leg assemblies.
- Lay the upper frame assembly in place, and make sure everything is sitting properly.
- Then attach the frame to the top parts by driving 2" deck screws through the frame pieces and into the underside of the Top and Detail boards. Use four screws per Rail in the Top Boards, and two Screws in the Top Detail. Along the Frame Stiles, drive a screw every 6" or so.
10Add the Lower Frame
Next, position the lower frame assembly as shown, and hold it in place with clamps. Then attach the frame to the Long Legs and Sides driving 2" deck screws through the frame pieces and into the back side of the Legs and Sides.
11Create the Bench Parts
Cut four Bench Tops, two Bench Backs, and eight Short Legs to length from 1x6 boards (we used pine 1x6s), as shown in the cutting diagram. With your pocket hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Bench Backs and Short Legs where shown.
12Connect the Short Legs
Attach the Short Legs to the Bench Tops using 1 1/4" exterior-rated pocket hole screws, as shown.
13Attach the Bench Backs
Now attach the Bench Backs to two of the Bench assemblies using 1 1/4" exterior-rated pocket hole screws, as shown.
14Create Bench Detail Strips
- Cut one Bench Detail and four Leg Details to length from 1x2 boards, as shown in the cutting diagram. With your pocket hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Leg Details where shown.
- Then Assemble the Detail parts using 1 1/4" exterior-rated pocket hole screws.
15Attach the Bench Parts
To finish up assembly, join the Bench parts to the Lower Frame. Again, you’ll drive 2" deck screws through the frame pieces and into the back/underside of the benches. Start nearest the Long Legs, and work your way outward on each side.
16Prep, Paint, and Finish
With the parts all assembled, give the entire piece a good sanding, and then brush off the dust. If you plan to use a combination of paint and stain as we did, remove the detail pieces. Then paint and stain as appropriate, and reinstall the Details.