How to Create a Kids Indoor Playhouse

You can use leftover cardboard boxes to make furnishings for the playhouse.

Instead of building a child's playhouse out of wood, you can create a quick, easy and environmentally friendly playhouse by recycling cardboard boxes. Large boxes like those from refrigerators or furniture are ideal, particularly if you can devote a large space for the playhouse. You can use boxes to create different rooms, tunnels and even a turret in just a few minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard boxes
• Scissors
• Glue
• Staples and stapler
• Tape
• Paint and brushes

Instructions

1. Acquire a few large cardboard boxes. If you can only manage two, aim to get a fridge and a stove box.

2. Shore up the boxes by restapling or gluing where necessary. Make sure the bottoms of both boxes are secure.

3. Stand the fridge box up and cut the top in a crenellated pattern (think castle watch towers), a small window (a tall narrow window with a rounded top is fun) and at least one small door big enough for your child. You might also consider a second "secret" door in the back of the box so she will have an "escape hatch." Paint the tower in a brick pattern.

4. Cut the top flaps off the stove box and turn it so that the bottom is the roof.

5. Make a small front door with a square window cut out on either side. Also cut out a door that leads into the tower. If you make a door that opens and shuts, paint it with a bookcase to make a "secret" door.

6. Decorate the house by painting the exterior. Try painting a bit of grass and a few flowers around the bottom of the box for a cute effect. You can also add plastic fencing such as those used to protect flowers, to create a small "yard" around the house.

Tips & Warnings

• The benefit of using cardboard is that you can move the playhouse around as necessary.