Don’t Forget the Camping Tables and Chairs

One of the great things about the seasonal shift as winter ends, is the change to go back outdoors.

It is something many of us look forward to every year.

Or perhaps you lucky enough to live somewhere that the weather allows the option of indoor-outdoor living?

Maybe you just like to spend as much of your free time as possible outside regardless of what the weather hands you. In either case you’ll probably agree that one of the great pleasures of this lifestyle is cooking and eating outdoors. I’m not just talking about fixing a lunch or dinner and taking it out to the patio of deck, though just that can make even a hot dog seem special. Rather, think of car camping with the family or a few friends or spending the day and evening at the park, a lake or the beach. You toss in the cooler, the folding chairs, the portable grill and the camping table and you’re good to go.

What camping table you ask. Well sometimes I’ve shown up at that state or county park camping site of picnic area only to find that all the picnic tables and bar-b-ques are already in use. This is where bringing your own grill, chairs and camping table will save the day, literally.

The portable grill and folding chairs are pretty much go anywhere, use anywhere, but not so the camping table. Sometimes the table gets forgotten. Or, almost as bad, some folks mistakenly go with a too-small portable table, finding although it’s highly portable, it’s just not big enough to hold enough. Obviously going up to picnic table size will hold everything, but packing it in your vehicle and then moving it can become a problem (so measure your car or van).

Models come in a variety of sizes and materials. Many have a one piece top with folding legs while with others both the top and the legs fold up. There are even a few where the legs come off entirely and the top splits into two pieces. Tubular steel frames with plastic composition board tops are very sturdy and stable but can rust over time if they’re exposed to much rain. Plastic, PVC types are immune to water. They clean up effortlessly and are very light weight.

Keep in mind that lightweight means less stability but heavier weight, more stable models are harder to move. Before you buy, check out the space available in the vehicle you’ll be moving it in. Another way around the portability vs. enough room issue is to buy two medium or smaller camping tables, allowing you to bring just one if it will fill the need.

Having your own portable camping tables lets you be prepared for whatever you may find at the picnic grounds parks outdoors, as well as coming in handy for any backyard gathering.

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