Easy to Follow Picnic Table Plan for Your Own Backyard Picnic Table

Spring is here and outdoor projects are at the top of our list. This spring you can build a picnic table with this easy to follow picnic table plan. Following the steps in this picnic table plan, anyone with basic carpentry skills and basic home improvement tools can build their own backyard picnic table. The tools used are just basic home improvement tools that can be found in most homeowner workshops or garages. The materials are readily available at any home improvement store and quite inexpensive. You can complete this project in less than a day, and building a backyard picnic table will add seating and also give you satisfaction of knowing you built it yourself.

Circular saw or miter saw

Cordless or corded drill

Speed square or framing square (triangle tool with angles marked on it for marking angle cuts)

Tape measure

Carpenters Pencil

Saw Horses or stable work bench

It is best to use cedar or treated lumber since this is an outdoor project.

(9) 2”x6” cedar or treated boards 60 inches long for the table top and seats

(2) 2”x4” cedar or treated boards 26 ½ inches long for the top supports

(2) 2”x4” boards 26 inches long for top supports

(2) 2”x4” boards 53 inches long for the seat supports

(4) 2”x6” boards 33 inches long for the legs (these will be cut with a 22 degree angle at each end and will be 33 inches long at the longest point. The angle will point opposite directions when cut properly).

The picnic table plan calls for a top with (5) 2”x6” boards. The seats will each have (2) 2”x6” boards all of which are 60 inches long. Assembly for the picnic table will begin by attaching the top boards using the 26 inch top supports. Position your top boards with the best side facing down with ¼ ” space between each board. Place your underside top supports 12 to 15 inches from each end. Use 2 ½” galvanized screws to fasten the supports to the top boards.

Next we will build the two “A” frames which become the legs and seat supports. Place (2) 33 inch legs on a stable working surface. Position one of the 26 ½” top supports across the top of the legs. Be sure to keep tops flush. Mark and drill a hole through both pieces and fasten with 3 1/2” carriage bolts. Place the 53 inch seat braces across the legs 15 ½” from the leg bottom. Be sure to keep the seat support perfectly parallel to the top support. The second “A”frame is assembled the same way to give you one for each end.

The final assembly of your picnic table requires a helper or the ability to stand both end frames up so you can position the top. Now you can place the seat boards across the seat braces. Position the seat ends so there is 5 inches of overhang and fasten with 2 ½” screws. Leave ¼” space between seat boards and fasten all 4 boards. Now place the top of the picnic table on the end frames and fasten with 2 ½” screws into the top supports of each leg assembly. You can either stain or paint your new picnic table or if you used treated or cedar lumber you can let it age naturally.

If you like this plan I have many plans available for sale. The most popular plan right now is for an outdoor play and swing set. The swing set plans I have are for three different sizes of play sets. I include all details, cut list and assembly instructions with each plan. Please email me or leave a comment here with a way to contact you for additional information and photos. The swing set I designed and built recently features two play towers, a bridge, 6 regular swings, 2 baby swings, 2 slides, and a climbing wall. This plan is available for purchase and you can build the entire set for about half what you would pay retail in stores.

You can find any of the home improvement tools you may need to complete this or any other project at Northern Tool. Remember to consider quality and frequency of use when you buy home improvement tools. A quality tool will not only last longer but it will perform the job faster and with more precision. Visit Northern Tool for home improvement tools to complete any project.