Build a Wooden Playhouse Yourself

Building a wooden playhouse in your back yard is a great way to encourage your kids to play outside. Wooden playsets provide hours of fun and plenty of exercise. If you have some basic tools, you can build a wooden playhouse yourself from a kit. If you have more advanced carpentry skills, you can build a wooden playhouse using a purchased plan or design one yourself.

Wooden Playset Designs

When it comes to wooden playsets, the sky is the limit. You can build anything from a simple, one room playfort to a massive, multi-level playhouse with every accessory imaginable. When you choose which playhouse you want to build, consider how much space you have in your yard. You need to place the playhouse on level ground and allow a minimum of 6 feet around all sides. Consider the ages of your children as well. You should choose a playhouse design that is appropriate for the age of your children. Remember that children won’t stay the same size forever, so choose a playhouse that you can add to as they grow. If you are tight on budget, you can build a smaller playhouse and add accessories to it gradually as your finances allow.

Comprehensive wooden playhouse kits usually include all of the wood and hardware you need to build the playset. All you need to provide are some basic tools like a screwdriver and hammer. You can also buy wooden playhouse kits that have just the wood or the hardware, and you provide the missing parts. Make sure you understand exactly what the wooden playhouse kit includes so you won’t be surprised. You can buy wooden playsets from large home improvements stores, some toy stores and specialty stores. You can also find playhouse kits online. Before you buy a playset, see if you can view a fully assembled model so you will know the actual size. You can also look over all of the connections and parts to make sure they are sturdy. Buy a wooden playset that is made of a rot resistant wood, like cedar or treated wood, so that it will withstand the elements. Read reviews from people who have actually bought and installed the playhouse. Also check on the return policy in case you have a problem.

If you have the tools and knowledge, you can use a playset plan to build your wooden playhouse. Playset plans are simply a set of building instructions, a supply list and cutting measurements. You will need to purchase all of the supplies and cut, sand and drill all of the holes in the wood. Find out as much about the outdoor playhouse plan you want to buy. Read through the list of tools and supplies needed and any sample pages. Make sure you have the right tools to build the playhouse and it is within your abilities. Read reviews from people who have purchased the playset plan to see if they encountered any problems.

If you are comfortable with woodworking, you can design your own wooden playset plan. Learn about playhouse safety requirements set by the CPSC in the Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook. You can find more playset safety tips at Playgroundsafety.org. Use these guidelines when you design your playset to make sure it is safe for your kids to play on. You can also design your playset to fit commercially available slides, swings and accessories to make it even more fun. Make sure you use adequate supports and bracing so that your playhouse will be sturdy, long-lasting and safe.

Once you have your plan, purchase any needed supplies and begin building. Make sure the ground where you will place your playset is completely level; level it if it is not so your playhouse does not tilt. Assemble the playset according to the directions. If you purchased a playset plan, purchase the supplies and follow the instructions to prepare and assemble the wood. Make sure you tighten all bolts completely and cover an protruding connections. Use appropriate anchors to secure your playset to the ground.