How to Build a Kids' Picnic or Play Table

Children love having their own furniture. So give your child or children a picnic or outside play table of their own. You can build a sturdy and handsome picnic and play table in as little as one or two weekends. That's not much time for something they will enjoy for years.

To begin your project, you will need to make a trip to the local lumber company. Since the table will be outdoors, you need to use pressure treated lumber. This lumber is treated with a special chemical that helps protect it from rotting and also from insects.

The supplies you will need for the table are:

(2) 2 x 12 x 8' or (1) 2 x 12 x 12'
(1) 2 x 4 x 10'
(3) 5/4 x 6" x 8' deck boards
Small box of 2 1/2" galvanized deck screws
Small box of 3" galvanized deck screws
(10) 1/4" x 3" galvanized lag screws and washers

To begin, you will need two pieces of the 2 x 12, each forty-six inches long. This will be the base of the table. Measure over ten inches from each end and then cut out a seven inch wide opening, five and a half inches down. Using a router, round off the edges of the cutouts and sand smooth if needed. These will be the leg openings for the table.

Now cut two pieces of the 2 x 4, twenty-eight inches long. These will be the braces to connect and secure the base of the table. Run one between the two pieces of 2 x 12 five inches from the end. Use two of the 3" galvanized screws to secure the 2 x 12 to the 2 x 4 brace on each side. Now run the other brace on the other end of the 2 x 12 five inches from the end. Again secure them together with the 3" galvanized screws. You now have the base for your table.

Your next step is to cut the supports for the table top. Cut two pieces of the 2 x 12, making each piece twenty-one inches long. You will also need two pieces of the 2 x 4, each twenty-two inches long. Lay the 2 x 4 pieces aside for now.

Using the 2 x 12 x 21" pieces, attach one on each side in the middle of the table base. These will go on the inside of the 2 x 12 and should be attached using the 3" lag screws and washers. You should predrill for these screws using a bit smaller than the lag screws. Be careful not to go all the way through both pieces of wood. You will need to put three lag screws in each side. Screw the lag screws in from the inside of, going from the 2 x 12 x 21" piece into the 2 x 12 base. The screws should be placed in a triangle form, one at the top and two at the bottom. One screw will go This is going to be the support for your table top. The pieces should fit flush with the bottom of the table base. You need to sand smooth the edges on both sides of the leg openings.

Now you are ready to use the 2 x 4 pieces you cut earlier. Before you do, you need to make a 45 degree cut on each end of each board. Once this is done, place one flush with the top of the 2 x 12 x 21" piece on the outside of 2 x 12 board, running horizontal. The longer section of the board should be the top and the 2 x 4 piece should be centered. This will support the four boards that form the top. Attach the 2 x 4 piece to the 2 x 12 piece with two 3" lag screws. These should run from the outside to the inside. Don't forget to predrill the holes. Do the same with the other piece of 2 x 4.

You're now ready to cut the table top and the seats. Using the 5/4 x 6" deck boards, cut six pieces, each thirty-six inches long. You will need four for the table top and two each for the seats. Attach the seat boards to the 2 x 12 using 2 1/2" galvanized deck screws and attach the four remaining pieces to the tops of the 2 x 4 pieces.

Your table is almost complete. You will need to round off any sharp edges, such as the fronts of the seats and the outside edges of the table top. The table will need to cure for a short while before you stain or treat it with any water sealer.

Now your kids have a picnic table they can enjoy for years and you know it's strong because you built it.