How to Build Your Own Outdoor Playhouses

You can build a basic outdoor playhouse with plywood.

If you want to build an outdoor playhouse for your children, consider putting together a simple plywood house. You can use thin plywood sheets to build a basic five-sided playhouse, then use tools like sand paper and a hand saw to finish off doors and windows. Creating this type of playhouse on your own will save costs over purchasing a similar item from a toy store, where similar playhouses can be expensive. Your kids can even try their hands at customizing their new playhouse with paint and markers.

Things You'll Need

• 5 4x4-foot plywood sheets
• Hand saw
• Sand paper
• Hammer
• Nails
• Wood glue
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Shellac

Instructions

1. Cut a 2x2-foot rectangle from the bottom center of one of the 4x4-foot boards to act as a door.

2. Sand down all five boards with sand paper, removing any rough spots or edges. This will ensure that children don't get any splinters.

3. Position four of the sheets in a box form with no top or bottom, making sure the sheet with the cut-out door is facing forward. Secure these board together by hammering together with four nails at each corner.

4. Lay the fifth board on top of the box to make a roof. Secure in place by hammering four nails at each side.

5. Reinforce the hammered nails by placing a line of wood glue at each seam and let dry.

6. Paint the outside of the playhouse any color you like. Let the paint dry.

7. Brush on a thin, even coat of clear shellac over the paint. This will protect against the weather outdoors. Let dry.

References

• Gizmology: Plywood Playhouses for Children