How to Make a Wooden Fort

A great way to keep children busy and create an environment for play is a back yard private area for just kids. Make a wooden fort for the kids for hours of their enjoyment. It's a bit of a project and requires a full day, but provides hours of fun for the children.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure and string
• Plywood, 2-inch by 4-inch boards
• Hammer
• Wood screws
• Screw gun
• Hinges
• Door handle
• Hook and eye

Instructions

1. Measure out an area that you want to place the fort. The larger the fort, the more wood that it requires. When you make a wooden fort, you get to decide on the dimensions.

2. Drive four, 2-inch by 4-inch 5-foot plywood boards into the ground to make the four corners of the fort. Make sure that the area squares out properly. Tie a string from one pole to another and measure the square by putting a level against the line. If you make it larger than 4 feet by 4 feet, you need to add extra reinforcements in between.

3. Purchase 48, 2-inch by 4-inch 6-foot boards and eight 2-inch by 4-inch 4-foot boards. You also need a 2-inch by 4-inch 16-inch board. You can adjust the height higher or lower, depending on your desire. Lay 12 boards down on the ground to form the wall.

4. Lay two of the 4-foot boards on top of those on the ground, one at the top of the boards and one about 4 inches from the bottom. Screw two screws through the cross board to connect the each board of the wall. You end up with four screws in each board. Use 3-inch wood screws.

5. Complete all four walls of the fort. On one side, attach all but four boards and cut the bottom board 16 inches shorter. This is for the doorway.

6. Connect the four boards for the door in the same manner as you did the walls. Make the top board at least 6 inches lower than the top edge to adjust for the door frame. You need to make sure you have a doorway when you make a wooden fort.

7. Lift the walls, and screw into the support post. You have four walls with a space for the door. Put decorative hinges on the outside of the fort to attach the door and a handle on the door. Put a hook and eye on the inside to latch the door.