If you have been thinking of making a picnic table for your children, but also want to use it for your guests, the best solution is an adjustable picnic table. If you go in for one which is fold able as well, you can even carry it with you when you go out on a picnic. By following plans prepared by experts, you can save quite a bit of money, too.

There are two types of adjustable picnic tables. The first type comes with a standard top, with adjustable legs. The legs can be adjusted to suit your children's requirements as they grow. Or you can have it adjusted to suit adults. You can either have fixed legs for the benches, or make them adjustable. There are good plans which will provide you with proper instructions to make them yourself.

The other type can be folded flat. They also come with multiple height settings. This is especially useful while going out on a trip to a park, picnic or other outdoor setting. They also come useful as an extra table, or if there is a shortage of space. By following plans, you can make it yourself.

It is always best to follow good plans while you are about making your adjustable picnic table. I remember many an occasion when I have set out on DIY projects without the help of plans, only for them to end in failure. Plans provide you with proper guidance, and focus, as well as give valuable tips on a number of important steps. You can choose to make your furniture big, medium or small, according to your requirements. If you want only a basic model, you may make it as simple as possible, or if you like to make it look grand, there are plans which will help you in making exactly the right kind.

Let us now examine how you can make one with a flat top surface. To make it adjustable, all that is required is to make the legs open out at three different levels-low, medium and high. Good plans will provide you with step by step instructions to do this. You may work out the best setting for the highest level and then work out the settings for the other levels. You may use the lowest settings for your children, and the highest settings for adults.

Compared to fixed tables, the advantages of adjustable ones are very apparent. If you were to make a fixed table for your kids, they would soon outgrow them, and that would leave an unnecessary peace of furniture in your hands which you would probably have to dismantle or discard. Fixed ones are also of no use if you want to use it for an outdoor party, as they cannot be moved from place to place.

One of the best points about an adjustable picnic table which is also fold able is that once folded, it becomes almost flat, and does not occupy much space. As the materials used are usually light, it is easy to lift and manageable. There are good plans which provide detailed information about the kind of materials to be used.  If it is fitted with a side handle, it is easy to carry around from place to place, and is ideal for outdoor parties and camping.

Once you have completed your main work, the final step is of course, staining the furniture and leaving it to dry. Once this is done, all that is left to do is to wait for the next opportune moment to throw a picnic or party on a sunny day and take out your adjustable picnic table.