Have you seen the tiny squirrel picnic table going viral on Facebook? We saw it, had a great laugh, and then immediately jumped in the garage to build our own! Here's how to build a squirrel picnic table and FREE printable PDF plans so you can build your own.
When people are isolated, they can get a little creative. One man in Bryn Mawr built the world's smallest picnic table, mounted it on his fence, and put treats on it.
Hence, the birth of the squirrel picnic table.
What is a squirrel picnic table
A squirrel picnic table is exactly that - a tiny squirrel-sized picnic table for the squirrels.
They are usually (and by this I mean - people on the internet. I've never seen one of these in real life. UNTIL NOW!) hung on a tree or a fence.
Somewhere where squirrels hang out, probably near a window that your cat can easily stare out.
Or, near your living room window so you can look up from social media, have a laugh, and video the squirrels. Basically anywhere you'd put a bird feeder.
But why?
Why not? People are bored, and sad, and scared. Small miniature things make people happy.
Animals doing human things make people happy. This tiny picnic table is a double whammy of much needed happiness.
How do I make a squirrel picnic table?
Squirrel picnic tables are incredibly simple to build. You don't need many supplies or tools to build it!
Click here to download the FREE PDF plans for a squirrel picnic table!
What wood do I need to build a squirrel picnic table?
You can use any type of wood - scrap wood, pallet wood, plywood cut to size, anything.
We used scrap 1x3 lumber because we have a huge pile of it from disassembling our old dining table when we built the new one. Wood scrap hoarding pays off, y'all.
The one thing that you need to keep in mind is that your wood needs to be outdoor safe if you plan to keep it outdoors - which you should if you want it to be with the squirrels.
Your options for outdoor-safe wood are:
- Treated lumber, designed to go outdoors
- Cedar, redwood, or cyprus wood which is naturally water resistant
- Fence boards
- Finish your project with an outdoor topcoat or sealer
You can of course use any wood and not worry about outdoor safe-ness. Just keep in mind that the wood will fade, rot and mold when exposed to the elements.
Truly, this is a fun project that doesn't have to last forever, so that might not bother you, but I wanted to be sure to disclose it!
What tools do I need to build a squirrel picnic table?
You can probably work with whatever tools you have on hand to make these picnic tables. We used:
Here are our best tips for getting tools for free and cheap!
What other supplies do I need to build a squirrel picnic table?
You can use nails, screws, or even wood glue to build the picnic bench!
We used our nail gun because it was easiest, but definitely use what you have on hand.
What food should I put on my squirrel feeder picnic table?
You can put anything that your squirrels like to eat on the picnic table. For me - it's whatever is growing in my garden (did I mention that the squirrels ate over a hundred peaches off our tree last year!).
Here are some squirrel food ideas. You might want to buy a variety until you figure out what they like.
- Fresh cut fruit
- Corn cobs (dried)
- Variety of nuts
- Acorns
- Sunflower seeds
- Bird seeds for the squirrels
- Peanuts in the shell
Where can I buy a squirrel picnic table?
Don't want to make a DIY squirrel picnic table? That's OK!
You can buy pre-made squirrel picnic tables on Etsy and Amazon. Look for unassembled versions to save on shipping.
Squirrel Picnic Table Printable PDF Plans
We love creating printable PDF woodworking plans for you, so of course we had to make plans for this squirrel picnic table!
Click here to download the squirrel picnic table plans to your email or use the widget below!
I hope that you will build this picnic table and catch some photos of your neighborhood squirrels happy and cute eating away!
Any more questions about squirrel picnic tables?
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Hello, I'm Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I've transformed three homes and now I'm dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let's turn your house into a home together!
Sara Dwyer says
ha ha adorable
mike says
i ordered your free squirrel plans, they never showed up!!
Morgan says
Our system shows an email went to mhfuture@canby.com today, 4/14.
Can you look for the subject line "Important: the squirrel picnic table plans that you requested are here!" Maybe it went to your spam folder?
Mike says
Love the plans! Can’t wait to assemble this later
My dog will go crazy watching the squirrels chilling in the yard lol
Sean says
Haha, awesome Mike! Our kid goes crazy every time they come. Let me know how the build goes!
jack e coppens IIi says
i have sent in 3 times and still have not received plans for the picnic table....
Sean says
Hey Jack, it automatically goes to your email. Check there and if you don't see it there, email me at sean@charlestoncrafted.com.
diane seltzer says
The wood comes 3/4 by 2 1/2 in. The pattern calls for 1x3s. Could you elaborate on the measurement. Thank you
Sean says
Hi Diane, they are the same. A 1x3 board is actually only 3/4" thick and 2 1/2" wide. 1x3 is known as the "common" size, and 3/4x2 1/2 is the "actual" size.
Ken says
What size screw would you recommend? Thanks!
Sean says
If you're talking about using screws to build the table, I would use 1" long screws because the boards are all 3/4" thick. If you're talking about screws to attach to the tree, I used two 4" screws through the legs, meaning 3 1/4" of screw went into the tree.
Cheryl says
There was a offer for pdfs to make projects with a Kjig. What's that? I'm a woman and wouldn't buy something without it saying what it is!
Morgan says
Hey Cheryl - I am also a woman, nice to meet you 😀 I think you mean our bonus offer to new subscribers - when you sign up for one of our FREE printable woodworking plans, the plans are automatically emailed to you. But, you are re-directed to a page where you have a short time to be able to buy a bundle of our premium woodworking plans! It is five plans (they are bullet listed out on that page) and usually sell for $4.99 each, so $25 total bundle value. We sell the bundle for $19.99 normally but new subscribers have the opportunity to buy the bundle for $9.99, so at about half off.
You do not have to buy the bundle to get the free woodworking plan you requested - it will come to your email in a separate email with a subject line that starts "IMPORTANT" - check your spam if you don't see it or shoot my husband an email at sean@charlestoncrafted.com and we will get you squared away.
I hope that helps! Morgan
Chris says
I believe you are referring to a “Kreg Jig”. Google it. It’s a device to make projects using “pocket” holes for screw installation. Stronger way to fasten wood with hiding the screws better.
Chuck Connors says
Thanks for the great plans. The legs say 6" but they are cut at an angle. How is the 6" measured? From the longest side? Hope the question makes sense. I think I have just enough scrap to make this and I don't want to miscut.
Sean says
Hey Chuck, yeah start with 6" pieces for each leg and then cut the parallel angles. So each side will end up being about 4 1/2" long.
Michael Paul says
Thank you
Rick says
For the Legs, are you indicating 6" overall length, then cut the 30 degree bevel
OR
6" length from bevel edge to bevel edge?
that would mean approx 7 in overall length then make the bevel cuts.
Just wondering
Thanks
Rick
Sean says
6", then cut the angles. But either would work.
Kathy says
Thank you for the plans. My husband used to be an avid woodworker, but cannot do complicated projects due to illness.
This will give an easy, uncomplicated project to keep him busy.
Considering his lumber stash, am pretty sure many will be receiving picnic tables!
Morgan says
Glad to hear that!
Sue says
Thanks for the pattern!!! I had my first squirrel visit their new table this past weekend! My neighbors requested tables for their yards, too.
Morgan says
Sue, I am so glad you like it!
Zack says
It won't send me the plans.
Morgan says
Hey Zack - check your spam folder! If you don't see them, please email morgan@charlestoncrafted.com and I'll send them your way.
Debby says
Thank you for the plans! We are making this for my elderly mother who loves to feed the chipmunks. Question..... The materials call for 87" of 1" x3", but when we add up the cut list, we come up with 100". We bought an 8' piece thinking we had enough, but will be short 4". Can you please clarify?
Sean says
Hey Debby, the beams that hold up the seats are a cut in half 1x3, therefore doubling the length of the material for those pieces.
Jerry Sikkema says
I make these but with a little twist. I have two three inch nails coming up from the bottom to put the ears of corn on. I also build a ledge around the top to keep the loose kernels from spilling off.
Morgan says
Those are great modifications!
James Stewart says
I made a picnic table similar to this several years ago. I used red cedar for it. I put a galvanized 16d spike in the table to hold an ear of corn. It lasted a few years, weathering got the best of it, and the squirrels eventually ate the table.
Morgan says
The squirrels ate the table! That sounds like some typical greedy squirrel behavior 🙂
Ed Connor says
Hello Morgan and Sean,
My wife and I live in Sumter and like Charleston we have a great number of squirrels living in the trees around our house. During the flood of 2015 some of these squirrels even came right up to us while we were gutting our house. I carried them back out to the trees along with a bag of walnuts. This picnic table would be a great addition to our privacy fences that the squirrels use as a highway(literally). My wife seen your table on FB which got my thoughts rolling. I have been quite busy lately making many things from pallet wood. It has been a sort of therapy for me. I will be retiring from the SC Army National Guard in a year or so and these projects have seemed to fill a hole of sorts.
I look forward to building this Squirrel Picnic table and hopefully giving my neighbors and squirrels something to smile about. My Westy/Jack Russell little buddy loves to chase the squirrels. They need a place to take a break.
Thanks for sharing.
Morgan says
Thanks for sharing your story, Ed!