Build a Picnic Table This Weekend
More space for food, drinks, and fun is a must for any party. This DIY picnic table ups the ante on entertainment and utility, letting you build a perfect place to drop in an icebox, s’mores station, or planter, all while providing even more space to sit at your next backyard get-together. So, follow along and reimagine your next party with your own DIY picnic table in this Done-In-A-Weekend Projects episode.
Download the instructions here:
Tools
- Miter saw
- Table saw
- Drill/driver and ½ in. drill bit
- 2 in. hole saw
- Pocket hole jig
- Tape measure
- L square or T square
- Pencil
- 120-grit sandpaper
- 80-grit sandpaper
- Clamps
- Eye and ear protection
- Foam brushes
- Fine sanding block
Materials
Picnic Table
- (2) 1 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. boards
- (5) 2 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. boards
- (4) 2 in. x 8 in. x 8 ft. boards
- (2) 2 in. x 6 in. x 8 ft. boards
- (2) 4 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. boards
- 2 ½ in. pocket hole screws
- 1 ¾ in. deck screws
- (8) 5⁄16 in. x 3 in. bolts
- (8) 5⁄16 in. washers
- (8) 5⁄16 in. wood anchors
- Pre-conditioner
- Stain
- Exterior spar varnish
Dining Bench*
- (4) 2 in. x 6 in. x 8 ft. boards
- (6) 2 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. boards
- (2) 4 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. boards
- 2 ½ in. pocket hole screws
- Pre-conditioner
- Stain
- Exterior spar varnish
*Materials are doubled to accommodate for two benches
Picnic Table Cut List & Build Steps
For the full cut list and build steps, open and download the DIY picnic table PDF to get started.
Download the guide here:
Now that you have your own DIY picnic table, all there’s left to do is invite over some friends and family and enjoy your next backyard gathering.
This project is designed to be completed over a single weekend. Expect roughly 6–10 hours of total build time, depending on your experience level and whether you’re building one or two benches alongside the table.
Cedar and pressure-treated pine are the most popular choices for outdoor furniture—both resist moisture and insects well. If you’re going with a stain and sealant finish like the exterior spar varnish used here, standard pine works great and is more budget-friendly.
