"Pavel314" wrote
Just polling the group on the better method to make a little patio,
about 8 feet by 8 feet square.

We have a table and chairs under a large tree in the back yard.

Any preferences among the group?

Think about the future. Will you still want that patio in five years? If
you think you'd ever want to remove it, pavers are the best method as they
can be dug out easily. You'd still have to level and prepare the surface
before laying the pavers. That means pouring sand, compacting, etc. You
can just lay them on top of the grass, but they will soon be moving and out
of level. Done right, they can be very nice, done wrong, they can even be
dangerous to walk on.

If you pour a pad, it should be on prepped surface and be 4" thick.
Anything less will be prone to cracking and heaving if you are in a region
that freezes. Are you prepared to do a pour and float and level the
concrete? If you want to spends a few buck,, look for a guy that does
stamped concrete work. Much nicer than a big old slab.

I'd go for at least a 10 x 10, better is 12 x 12.