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Preschool Picnic Table

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Submitted by Ana White on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 22:16
Difficulty
Intermediate
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Our preschool picnic table is one of the most popular plans. Due to the simple design, easy building instructions, and perfect sizing for preschoolers, thousands of these tables have been built! We love this table as a gift too!

We also have a bigger kids picnic table plan, and an adult sized one too!  Photo by Tinsel + Wheat

 

Collections
Ana's Adirondack Collection
farmhouse style kids picnic table

One of my first project ever was a simple kid's picnic table.  It must have been years ago, because here is Grace blowing out two candles.  Where does time go.

 

We love this picnic table and have made it many times - it's the perfect birthday gift!  

The sizing is appropriate for preschoolers.  For older kids, we recommend the bigger kids picnic table plans.

Dimensions
small kids picnic table dimensions diagram
Overall Dimensions and Composition are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 – 1×6, 8′ Long (About $5.00 Each) 

4- 1×3, 8′ Long (About $1.50 Each) 
2″ Screws 
1 1/4″ Screws 
Glue 
Wood Filler 
Sandpaper 
Finishing Supplies
Common Materials
1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List

3 – 1×6 @ 31″ (Tabletop Pieces) 

2 – 1×3 @ 17 1/2″ (Longest Measurement, Ends cut at an angle back to 15 1/4″) 
2 – 1×3 @ 25 1/2″ (Center Supports) 
4 – 1×3 @ 22 7/16″ (Longest Measurement, Legs, ends cut at an angle) 
2 – 1×3 @ 33″ (Longest Measurement, Ends cut back at an angle to 30 1/2″) 
4 – 1×3 @ 31″ (Seat Boards)
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Hammer
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Power Sander
General Instructions

General Instructions. Work on a clean level surface and use proper safety precautions. Check for square after each step. Predrill and countersink all screws.

Instructions

Step 1

Tabletop and Supports. Begin by cutting the support board ends off at an angle as shown above. Then fasten the top boards to the supports using 2″ screws and glue.

Step 2

Top Support. Attach the top support, centered on the end supports and the center tabletop board, as shown above. Use 2″ screws and glue. It is very important that you have checked for square before fastening.

Step 3

Legs. Cut your legs from 1×3 boards with a starting overall length of 22 7/16″. Use the above diagram to guide you.

Step 4

Legs to the Top. Fasten the legs to the top of the table, as shown above. Notice how the tip of the leg comes even with the outer tabletop boards? And the side of the leg meets up with the end of the support? Use 1 1/4″ Screws and glue to fasten in place. Notice the marks on the legs with a measurement of 12 3/4″? Make these marks on the legs, this is where the tops of the step 5 boards will be placed.

Step 5

Step 6

Bottom Support. As you did in step 2, fasten the remaining support board in place, using 2″ screws and glue. It is a good idea at this step to square up your project by taking a square of the bottoms of the legs.

Step 7

Seat Boards. Mark the seat boards 2″ from the ends. Position the outer seat board flush with the ends of the seat supports and fasten in place with 2″ screws and glue. Leave a 1/2″ gap and fasten the next seat board in place in the same manner.

Step 8

Finishing. Fill screw holes with wood filler, sand and finish as desired.

For more help with outdoor wood finishing, go here.

Project Type
Dining Table Plans
Toys
Room
Kids and Toys
Outdoor
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

lulublu (not verified)

Tue, 03/23/2010 - 01:30

Oh I am so excited to see this! My littles are probably nearing the top end of the age range for this, but I can't wait to build it anyways!!!

The Bailey's (not verified)

Tue, 03/23/2010 - 02:44

Yay! I am so excited! We are in an apartment right now, but will soon move to a place with more room and a.....garage! This will defintely be one of my first projects, although I am a little intimidated by the diagonal cuts! Think I can talk the guys at HD to help me cut, or do they only do straight cuts???

Curried Cupcakes (not verified)

Tue, 03/23/2010 - 02:49

This is adorable! I have so many things from your site i want to build I don't know where to start! Thanks for posting this. I can't wait to see it in a full size version.Thanks again!

Melody (not verified)

Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:05

YES! This came at the perfect time! I was just looking for table plans yesterday! This will do quite nicely. Thanks again, Ana!

Brittany@Superwoman (not verified)

Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:28

I'm so excited that you branched out into outdoor furniture! Though I have to admit, I already have plans for a kids picnic table in a woodworking book.

LK (not verified)

Tue, 03/23/2010 - 03:44

Yay for Ezekiel Bread!!! Great warmed up with natural hazelnut butter. Mmmm. I'm making this picnic table for my little girls for sure!! Bring on summer!

By the way, I'm new here. I'm really inspired by the site and am in the process of working (around the hours I have my daughters and the other hours I work) on my first project. Exciting!

Jen @ Sunshine… (not verified)

Tue, 03/23/2010 - 04:39

Haven't been able to decide what project to start on first and then I saw today's post. Just came from the lumber yard and can't wait to spend the day on this!