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Folding picnic table plans. Plans include shopping list, cutting list, and free PDF download.
This picnic table folds to make a set of benches or can be put together to form a picnic table.
This simple DIY project can be completed in a weekend, follow the step-by-step illustrated instructions to get started. The download link can be found at the end of the project.
Folding Picnic Table Plans – Overview
Folding Picnic Table Plans – Material List
Shopping List
Shopping List
15 – 2×4 – 12′
4 – hinges
2 1/2″ deck screws
Cutting List
Cutting List
4 – 2×4 – 5′ 6″
6 – 2×4 – 10 3/4″
8 – 2×4 – 1′ 4″ (15-degree angle cuts on both ends in the same direction)
4 – 2×4 – 1′ 5″ (15-degree angle cuts on both ends in opposite directions)
2 – 2×4 – 5′ 3″
16 – 2×4 – 6′
4 – 2×4 – 1′ 2 3/4″ ( 45-degree bevel cuts both end in opposite directions)
4 – 2×4 – 1′ 3 1/2″ (15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions)
4 – 2×4 – 7 1/2″ (15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions)
4 – 2×4 – 5 1/2″ (15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions)
4 – 2×4 – 10″ (15-degree bevel cut on one end)
Build two bench frames as shown above. Cut four 2×4’s to 5′ 6″ long, and six 2×4’s to 10 3/4″ long. Assemble as shown on illustration above using 2 1/2″ deck screws.
Cut eight 2×4’s to 1′ 4″ long for the bench legs, cut 15-degree angle cuts on both ends in the same direction, see illustration above.
Install the legs to the bench frame as shown on illustration above using 2 1/2″ deck screws.
Cut four 2×4’s to 1′ 5″ long for the bench leg brace. Cut 15-degree angle cuts on both ends in opposite directions, see illustration above.
Install the leg brace as shown on illustration above, screw 2 1/2 deck screws through the brace and into the legs.
Cut two 2×4’s to 5′ 3″ long for the bench support. Install as shown on illustration above, screw 2 1/2″ deck screws through the leg brace and into the bench support.
Cut eight 2×4’s to 6′ long for the bench top slats. Gap the slats about 1/4″, the ends of the bench seat slats will have a 1 1/2″ overhang, the front and back will have a 1/2″ overhang.
Cut four 2×4’s to 1′ 2 3/4″ long, cut 45-degree bevel cuts to the ends as shown on illustration above.
Install the 2×4’s to the bench slats as shown on illustration above using 2 1/2″ deck screws.
Cut the parts for the table frame as shown below.
(A) Cut four 2×4’s to 1′ 3 1/2″ long, cut 15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions.
(B) Cut four 2×4’s to 7 1/2″ long, cut 15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions.
(C) Cut four 2×4’s to 5 1/2″ long, cut 15-degree bevel cuts on both end in same directions.
(D) Cut four 2×4’s to 10″ long, cut a 15-degree bevel cut on one end.
Assemble four table frames as shown on illustration above using 2 1/2″ deck screws.
Install the hinges as shown on illustration above.
Cut eight 2×4’s to 6′ long. Gap the table slats about 1/4″ gap and install as shown above using 2 1/2″ deck screws. The table slats will have a 1 1/2″ overhang on the sides.
Bring both pieces together to form the table.
Folding picnic table plans, table to bench.
The plans you send are fantastic and I always share them with my friends and family, the web site looks a lot better
Very good just that you should add a conversion table as we use meters and cm
Excellent idea and plans.
Love the new site looks very good. Can’t wait to try this new construct. Keep up the excellent work.
This is one project I really wanted to do this summer. Now I have the plans to do it!
Thanks 🙂
Shannon, I hope your folding table project turned out well. Just want to let you know that you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. That, or you’re just incredibly photographic! 😏
The table looks easy enough to build and very useful as a table-bench combo.
Are the 2 X 4’s used in your plans true 2″ X 4″; or planed 1 3.4″ X 3 1/2″ (purchased at Home Improvement Store)? Thanks, wonderful plans
They are 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ the type you would get at home improvement stores.
Do you have to use 12’ 2×4 or can you use 8’?
You can use 8′ – 2×4’s just make sure to buy enough of them.
Are the 2″ X 4″s used in your plans true 2″ X 4″; or planed 1 1/2″ X 3 1/2″ dimensions (purchased at Home Improvement Store)? Thanks, wonderful plans.
Sorry, had to repost, my error
The table / benches came out great
a great plan, however, would need some dimensions in centimeters
1 inch =2.54cm. Not hard math.
These are fantastic! do you have plans for folding benches like this using 2×6 lumber? I’m guessing it’s ok to extend the bench to 8′ long instead of 6′ to provide more seating space.
Folding picnic table plans please
when you fold the two benches together to make the table,do you need some kind of brace or latch,to hold the two table tops even.so they don,t sage down,where they meet
Yeah , I just built these. Works great looks good . But the lack of braces or latches for the table bothered me before I even started cutting. Easy fix though.going to grab a couple heavy duty gate pins tomorrow should tune it right up
where would you attach the braces or latches?
Could these plans be changed to use 2×6’s instead of 2×4’s? Would you use the same measurements or???
Built one of them today. Plans worked out great! Thanks for posting this for us all.
Did you all use Pressure treated wood?
love the simplicity and function of the folding Picnic table
I built one over the weekend awesome!!!! easy to follow plans
Thanks for posting the plan. The plan was very good. One thing for beginners (like me) to note is that most of the views are side views, not top views. So, be careful how you cut the bevel/angle edges.
Does anyone have a reference for weight capacity on something like this? It seems very sturdy, but would like to be sure that when I put two of them together, two adults could sit on each side.
Its definitely sturdy…just built one this weekend. Turned out awesome! 😁
I’ve cut pressure treated wood that I plan to sand before assembling. What are your thoughts on finishing this? Should I let it season for a year and then treat it or treat it after sanding before assembling?
The 4 board’s that make the arm restwill not go together like it shows either D is 3″short or C goes between B & D not on the bottom of B
My mistake I cut the angles on the horizontal not on the flat, all cuts work out after I cut new boards
Please send me the free plans for the folding bench/table
Exact what type of hinges did you use? Does anyone recommend one type over another? I’m asking because I feel that a regular door hinge will not allow for the arm to sit flat in both positions. Thanks
Cordial saludo, alguien me puede ayudar con lo siguiente, cómo se traduce en centimetros estas medidas: 1 ′ 3 1/2 ″ de largo o 1 ′ 4 ″
My husband has been looking for a set of plans like this thank you for letting me download.
could you please e-mail the plans for the folding bench/picnic table. thank you
bonjour,
Est-il possible d’avoir le plan en cm reel ou d’avoir l’explication des ex : 5′ 6″ que signifie’ et ” ? Je suis novice en la matiere. Merci de votre reponse.
Great idea and VERY simple! I did however mess up the bevel pieces and had to buy/cut more material. Didn’t realize til I went to out the arms together and things wouldn’t match up but none the less, quick/easy fix and looks great. Thanks!
Will the individual benches, when in table form, stand on their own, or will they tip over if they are not butted up to each other. We are looking at building something like this for an outdoor classroom, and want to see if all seating can be facing the teacher, or will they be problematic and tip over?
This isn’t exactly correct. You would actually 16 2X4s to get the 16 pcs at exactly 6′ (shopping list says 15). Otherwise you be 1/8″ short on all of those boards
I did it with 15 and had leftover. The 12′ boards I bought were about 1/2″ longer than 12′, so I actually had to cut excess off to get to 6′ on both boards I cut from them. If your boards are exactly 12′, it’d be easier to just make all the long pieces 1/8″ shorter. It doesn’t really matter for the plans if they’re a little shorter or not as there’s overhang everywhere. You’d just need to even the overhangs.
I would not suggest doing this out of hemlock, while it is cheap, it is also heavy.
Built half (one bench). It looks great. Thanks for such a creative design.