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Putting a picnic table in the backyard is a great way to encourage spending time outdoors. They’re perfect for cookouts, block parties, dining al fresco with the family, or even getting some work done in the sunshine. If you have little ones, you might want to consider adding a kids picnic table so they can enjoy playing games, making crafts, coloring, or eating meals and snacks outdoors.
When choosing a kids picnic table, safety and durability are crucial considerations. Manufacturers offer an array of attractive designs and materials to suit the needs of toddlers, older children, and everyone in between. Read on to discover the best kids picnic table to suit your family’s needs.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Kids Picnic Table
Whether looking for a table where toddlers can partake in some outdoor arts and crafts, or something that can accommodate a school-age child and their friends during a backyard birthday party, chances are there will be a lot of factors to consider when choosing which picnic table is the right one.
Age
From the time they can walk and climb, children enjoy outdoor picnic tables for play and for eating meals and snacks. The available models fall into two categories: those for toddlers and those for older kids.
Children from age 18 months up to 5 years will be most comfortable using a picnic table designed for toddlers. The smaller sizes, rounded edges, and attached benches of these tables provide the best safety and usability for little ones.
Older children in the 5- to 8-year-old range can benefit from having their own child-size outdoor picnic table. These come in a variety of designs and materials with attached or detached benches. Safety is always a priority, and the sizes for this age group are slightly larger than those designed for toddlers.
Size and Seating
Shoppers should also consider the number of children who will use the table. Kids picnic tables and benches vary in their length and width. For a large family or for a child with several neighborhood friends, the best choice might be one that seats up to six or more kids. There are also attractive options that accommodate two to four children.
Material and Maintenance
Most picnic tables for kids are made of either plastic or wood. Plastic picnic tables are generally made from either polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDP), which are nontoxic and easy to wipe clean with a sponge or cloth soaked in soap and water. Additionally, some parents use disinfectant wipes, especially when the picnic tables are used for eating.
Wood is a traditional material for picnic tables, and it blends nicely with natural, backyard environments as well as with adult patio furniture. Like their plastic counterparts, wooden picnic tables are washable with mild soap and water. Both plastic and wood tables, benches, and chairs can be rinsed with a garden hose to get rid of dust, pollen, and kids’ messes.
Umbrella
When spending time outdoors, it’s always important to stay protected from the sun—and it’s even more important for children. Picnic tables that include an umbrella add to their usability, protecting kids from heat and harmful ultraviolet rays.
These child-size beach umbrellas are removable and collapsible for storage. The tabletops feature holes in the middle where the umbrellas may be inserted.
Portability
For families that enjoy camping, a child-size picnic table makes a practical addition to a camp set-up. Some kids picnic tables fold flat, making them easy to stow in a vehicle for transport on a camping trip, an outing in the park, or even just a trip to grandma’s house.
On the other hand, some kids picnic tables disassemble easily, although they do not fold flat. For portability and storage, these disassembled units offer the convenience of compact size. They can be stored away in a garage or shed during the cold winter months and reassembled when the weather warms up.
Our Top Picks
Getting the best picnic table for kids is an investment in their health and happiness, as it provides a place for outdoor fun. With many options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine the most desirable features. Read on to explore some of the top recommendations available.
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This kids picnic table from Lifetime is designed for exuberant use by multiple children. Constructed from UV-treated, high-density polyethylene, it resists fading, cracking, and peeling from the sun. The stain-resistant table makes spills and messes easy to clean up with mild soap and water. The metal legs are rust resistant, so there’s no need to worry if it gets left out in the rain.
Rounded, impact-resistant corners on the tabletop and benches offer added safety—no bumps or bruises here. However, this model does not come with an umbrella, so on hot days it might be best to move it into the shade.
The tabletop measures 32 inches by 18 inches, providing space for several children to eat, play, or do homework. Each of the two attached benches measures 32.4 inches long by 12.7 inches wide by 7 inches thick. The 21.3-pound weight is an easy lift for an adult, and the table folds flat for transport and storage.
Product Specs
Dimensions: 32.5 inches wide by 35.5 inches long by 21.1 inches tall
Weight: 21.3 pounds
Material: High-density polyethylene plastic with metal legs
Pros
UV resistant and rust resistant
Folds flat for storage or transport
Easy to clean
Ample size for several children
Cons
Does not have an umbrella
Requires assembly
Get the Lifetime kids picnic table on Amazon or at Walmart.
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Available at a price that won’t stress the wallet, this kids picnic table from Costzon offers a bright, colorful appearance along with safety and durability. The entire unit is constructed from nontoxic polypropylene plastic. With rounded edges and corners, the table and benches are safe for children’s use.
This picnic table accommodates up to four children, with a total weight capacity of 110 pounds. Each bench measures 26.5 inches long by 10 inches wide by 6 inches thick. The included umbrella expands to 42 inches in diameter and 53 inches in height.
Tools are not necessary to assemble this picnic table for summer fun. When winter comes, the entire unit can be disassembled for storage.
Product Specs
Dimensions: 16 inches wide by 26.5 inches long by 18.5 inches tall
Weight: 13 pounds (including umbrella)
Material: Polypropylene plastic
Pros
Includes umbrella
Bright colors
Safe and durable materials
No tools required for assembly
Cons
Smaller than other kids picnic tables
Requires assembly
Requires disassembly for storage
Get the Costzon kids picnic table on Amazon, Costzon, or Costway.
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The best tables for toddlers meet shoppers’ demands for safety and are appropriately sized. This toddler-size picnic table from Little Tikes delivers satisfaction in both categories. The edges and corners are rounded to prevent injuries from falling. Little Tikes recommends this picnic table, with its diminutive size, for children ages 18 months up to 5 years.
Although this picnic table requires assembly, it does not require tools. The parts snap together easily, and the unit can be quickly disassembled for storage or transport. Cleaning this picnic table is a breeze, as the plastic surface wipes clean with mild soap and water. An included umbrella protects little ones from the sun’s rays and can be removed if desired.
Product Specs
Dimensions: 27 inches wide by 27.2 inches long by 20 inches tall
Weight: 9.04 pounds
Material: Molded plastic
Pros
Designed specifically for children 18 months to 5 years old
Easy assembly and disassembly without tools
Washable
Lightweight
Cons
Too small for kids older than 5 years
Get the Little Tikes Easy Store Jr. kids picnic table at Target or Walmart.
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For those who’d like to use their picnic table for more than just snack time, this versatile option doubles as an activity table with designated sensory stations. Splash around in the water play station on hot days, or let curious children dig and explore in the sand play station.
The sturdy construction has an impressive 220-pound weight capacity and is designed to accommodate up to four children. Built from natural wood, the unit is free from Bisphenol A (BPA). The included umbrella offers protection from the sun’s heat and UV rays, and a simple release system allows users to adjust the umbrella’s height with ease.
Product Specs
Dimensions: 37.75 inches wide by 38 inches long by 19.5 inches tall
Weight: 39.7 pounds
Material: Wood
Pros
Extra weight capacity
Convertible tabletop for versatile usage options
Wood construction
Included bins and umbrella
Cons
Assembly required, tools required
Heavier than other kids picnic tables
Get the Best Choice Products activity table on Amazon, Best Choice Products, or at Target.
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Seat up to eight children around this table with attached benches on all four sides. They’ll enjoy socializing as they play games or eat meals and snacks. Constructed from plastic, the table features a wood grain look and color. With rounded edges and corners, the table and benches are safe for children’s use. Each of the four benches offers a 200-pound weight capacity, and a kid-size, polyester, market umbrella is included.
This picnic table does require tools for assembly, and it can be disassembled and folded flat for storage. It even hangs conveniently on the wall of a garage or shed.
Product Specs
Dimensions: 62 inches wide by 62 inches long by 20.5 inches tall
Weight: 33 pounds
Material: Plastic
Pros
Attached benches on all 4 sides accommodate up to 8 children
Sturdy and safe construction
Included umbrella
Folds flat for storage
Cons
Requires assembly with tools
Requires disassembly for storage
Get the Little Tikes Fold ’n Store picnic table on Amazon, Little Tikes, or at Target.
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Make the kids’ outdoor area as stylish as the adults’ patio dining area with this attractive set from KidKraft. Featuring two benches, cushions, and an umbrella, this kids picnic table is made from weather-resistant wood and finished with an attractive stain that makes it as handsome as it is durable.
The table and benches require assembly with tools. However, the preassembled panels reduce the assembly time and effort. To preserve the finish, users should cover the table when it’s not in use. Additionally, the table and benches may be painted or stained for years of continued use.
Product Specs
Dimensions: 22.75 inches wide by 42.25 inches long by 19 inches tall
Weight: 44 pounds
Material: Stained wood
Pros
Attractive, stained-wood construction
Includes bench cushions
Umbrella included
Large enough for older kids
Cons
Heavier than other kids picnic tables
Requires assembly with tools
Does not fold flat for storage
Get the KidKraft table and bench set on Amazon or KidKraft.
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With its ladybug theme, this bright red bistro set makes a cute addition to patios, porches, and backyards. The included umbrella, also with a ladybug motif, protects children from the hot summer sun.
Other safety features include rounded corners, smooth surfaces, and chairs with nonslip feet. The frames of the chairs and table are constructed from durable tubular metal, while the chair seats and backs are made from 210D canvas cloth, a flexible canvas fabric with a urethane coating to provide weather resistance.
Keep in mind that because this is a bistro set, it can only accommodate up to two children, so it’s not ideal for those who plan on hosting larger groups. Additionally, the tabletop is not as large as some other models, making it less suited to things like arts-and-crafts projects. Still, it’s a great, cute spot for one or two kids to enjoy a snack or juice break.
Product Specs
Dimensions: Table: 20 inches in diameter, 20 inches tall
Chairs: 14.5 inches wide by 12.5 inches deep by 20.5 inches tall
Umbrella: 41 inches in diameter and 50 inches tall
Weight: 9 pounds
Material: Polypropylene (PP) plastic, 210D canvas cloth, and tubular metal
Pros
Cute, child-friendly design
Easy to assemble without tools
Nonslip feet
Durable construction
Cons
Not as hefty as other kids picnic tables
Can only accommodate 2 children
Does not provide as much tabletop surface as other options
Get the Costzon table and chair set on Amazon or Costzon.
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A nature theme threads through this Step2 kids picnic table with benches and umbrella. The colors and shapes resemble stones and trees. With its leaf motif, the ample umbrella is both practical and attractive. It opens out to a generous 60-inch diameter, providing plenty of shade from the summer sun.
With a weight capacity of 300 pounds, this kids picnic table can accommodate up to six children. Designed for safety, all edges and corners are blunt or rounded. Step2 recommends use by children ages 2 to 6 years old.
For convenience, the pieces of this table and its benches snap together easily. Adults can assemble the unit with minimal effort and without tools. It’s also easy to disassemble, but it does not fold flat for storage.
Product Specs
Dimensions: 40.75 inches wide by 43 inches long by 72 inches tall (with umbrella)
Weight: 29.9 pounds
Material: Molded plastic with fabric umbrella
Pros
Generously sized umbrella
Attractive nature-inspired motif
Safe, rounded, molded-plastic surfaces
Assembly does not require tools
Cons
Does not fold flat for storage
Get the Step2 picnic table on Amazon or Step2.
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Our Verdict
For overall durability, versatility, and long-term use, the Lifetime kids picnic table is our choice for the best overall kids picnic table. For parents with younger kids who are looking to save a few bucks, the Costzon kids picnic table offers excellent value at a budget-friendly price.
How We Chose the Best Kids Picnic Tables
In selecting our top picks in kids picnic tables, we performed extensive research. We started by reading articles explaining the desirable qualities of kids picnic tables and detailing specific recommendations. We took note of high-quality products that stand out from the rest. Next, we read product descriptions for more than 30 kids picnic tables to find the most desirable features. These products are available on the market from more than a dozen manufacturers and retailers.
As we researched products, safety was our top consideration. We looked for nontoxic materials and child-friendly designs, such as rounded edges on tables and benches. Next, we looked for durable models that can withstand hard wear and tear. Additionally, we searched for kids picnic tables that are easy for adults to assemble and disassemble. Desirable features that made the cut include umbrellas for shade as well as units designed to fold flat for storage or transport.
FAQs
For hours of fun, the best outdoor picnic tables provide spaces where children can play, eat meals or snacks, do their homework, make crafts, and more. On top of that, they encourage children to spend time outdoors, getting fresh air and connecting with nature. The following questions are often asked by shoppers who buy kids picnic tables.
Q. Do kids really need their own picnic tables?
Yes. It can be dangerous for young children to attempt sitting on adult-size picnic benches, as they are prone to falling. Picnic tables designed for kids also tend to include safety features like rounded edges and benches or seats with nonslip feet. Additionally, younger children are unable to reach the height of adult picnic tables for eating or other activities.
Q. Are kids picnic tables difficult to assemble?
Some models require simple tools for assembly. Others feature parts that snap together for easy assembly without tools.
Q. Can I take a kids picnic table on a camping trip?
A lightweight, kids picnic table that folds flat for transport or storage is an ideal accessory for a family camping trip.
Q. How can I waterproof a wooden picnic table?
Wooden picnic tables may be painted or stained. Coat them with a sealant to create a waterproof surface.
Q. Should I cover a picnic table before rain or a storm?
To preserve the picnic table, it’s a good idea to cover it with a waterproof tarp when it’s not in use. However, most kids picnic tables are constructed from weather-resistant and waterproof materials. Therefore, they will withstand rain storms without damage.
