How to Build a Western Playhouse

Building a western playhouse can be simple.

Creating a western playhouse from a large cardboard box is a fun project. Even kids can get involved in the construction of the playhouse. Add lots of western decorations such as cactus and tumbleweeds. Building this type of playhouse can be done using household items you may already have on hand. Use your imagination to build a creative and fun playhouse.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard box
• Scissors
• Red paint
• Paint brush
• Tape
• Black marker
• Black paint
• White chalk
• Green marker
• Brown marker

Instructions

1. Find a large cardboard box, such as a refrigerator box. Cut off the top flaps with scissors and flip over so the open top is on the bottom and acts as a floor--and the bottom of the box is on top.

2. Cut a line up the center of one side of the box about 3-feet tall. Cut a line perpendicular to that slit to make a T shape. Pull the two flaps created from the cuts toward you and bend them until they become easy to pull open. These will act as a set of swinging doors.

3. Fold the two flaps of the top side of the box upward until they make a point. Tape them in place. You should now have a triangle roof reminiscent of a small house.

4. Paint the roof of the playhouse and the two swinging doors with red paint. Let dry.

5. Paint a black square onto the remaining three sides of the box. Let dry.

6. Draw crooked shingles onto the red swinging doors and the red roof with a black marker. Making the shingles crooked will add detail to the western motif.

7. Draw cracks onto the three black squares with a piece of white chalk. This will make the squares look like old, splintery windows.

8. Draw cactus and tumbleweeds on the bottom of the box with a green and brown crayon. Above the swinging doors, use the black marker to write the name of the playhouse, something like Billy's Watering Hole or Kitty's Cowboy Playhouse.

Tips & Warnings

• Let kids help decorate the outside of the box with paints, crayons and markers.

• Make sure to wash hands after painting to prevent stains on clothes.

References

• Free Cardboard Playhouse Instructions and Plans: Make Baby Stuff