DIY Door Alarm for Kid's Toys

Add a door alarm or homemade doorbell to your child's playhouse for added appeal.

A door alarm or homemade doorbell makes for a realistic addition to a child's playhouse. Use a single bell or use a cluster of small bells to create the homemade door alarm. The bells will be suspended from the playhouse ceiling. A wire, running from the door to the bells inside the playhouse, will jingle the bells when the child opens the door. This homemade door alarm will not sustain damage as a result of exposure to cold or moisture, as may occur with a battery-operated alarm system.

Things You'll Need

• Drill
• 2 eyelet screws
• Craft wire
• Bell
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Drill a hole on the interior side of the playhouse door. Drill the hole at the center of the door, an inch or two from the top edge.

2. Drill a hole on the playhouse ceiling, in the region above the door.

3. Twist eyelet screws into the two screw holes by hand. Install one eyelet screw in the hole at the top of the door inside the play house and install the second eyelet screw on the ceiling above the door.

4. Attach the bell to the end of a long segment of craft wire. Loop the wire through the loop at the top of the bell and twist the wire.

5. Loop the wire through the eyelet on the playhouse ceiling and run the wire to the eyelet screw at the top of the door. Open the door completely and pull the wire taut so the bell is just below the eyelet screw.

6. Cut the craft wire and loop it through the eyelet at the top of the door. Wrap the end of the wire around the length of wire that runs to the bell.

Tips & Warnings

• The drill bit should be the same size as the eyelet screw.

• You must use a bell with a loop at the top, as you will need to attach it to the wire.

• Alternatively, install a battery-operated alarm on the child's playhouse. Screw one portion to the door and attach the other component to the door frame. The two parts are in contact when the door is closed. When the door is opened, the two alarm components are separated and the doorbell sounds. This is only suitable for water-tight playhouses in temperate climates, as moisture and extreme cold may damage the alarm mechanism.

References

• Woodworker's Workshop: Children's Playhouses, Playgrounds and Clubhouses