How We Built A Backyard Playhouse 

How we built a backyard playhouse 

A few years ago, we were looking to buy an outdoor playhouse for our two year old, but decided to make our own instead.

Dan has so graciously helped me write this blog post so that if you want to build one, you have all the information that you need. It took him about three days total to make this and it cost around $300. 

We used this plan as a starting point, but changed a few things and found a few ways to make it cheaper. 

how we changed the plans:

  • We added shingles to the roof to withstand Chicago weather

  • We built a deck underneath the house

  • We painted the house and the deck

  • We used a plywood sheet for the back with a few vertical 2x4x8’ boards for support, instead of tongue and groove. It is against our fence, so plywood worked just fine. 

  • We did not use mending plates, tie plates, or angles. Instead, we just screwed the boards together. It has held up really well and nothing has come loose. 

  • We did not do circular windows. Instead, we just have all rectangular open windows. It was much easier to cut them this way. 

  • We did not use wood glue to attach the window frames. We just used brad nails.

After two years, everything is still in great condition and we have not had to repaint it, despite a few harsh winters. 

TOOLS:

  • tape measure

  • speed square

  • pencil

  • circular or miter saw

  • drill

  • brad nailer

  • jig saw

  • hammer

  • clamps

SHOPPING LIST:

  • DECK:

    • 13 - 1x6x8’ (top)

    • 6 - 2x4x8’ (base)

    • Paint (Benjamin Moore latex floor & patio enamel, low sheen, in Platinum Gray)

  • HOUSE:

    • 12 - 7.125 inch x 8 ft unfinished pine wood tongue and groove wall planks

    • 14 - 2x4x8’ (for frame)

    • 2 - sheets of ¾” plywood (for roof and back wall)

    • 7 - 1x2x8’ for trim

    • Paint (Behr exterior flat paint and primer in Simply White)

  • 2” wood screws

  • 3” construction screws

  • 1 ¼” brad nails

  • Roofing nails

  • Shingles (for roof)

  • Caulk (to match your paint)

This was such a fun project (even though I only had the job of painting it once it was built). Our girls love playing in their house, and it is pretty cute to look out at every time we open the back door.

Home Projects, ToddlerMegan GarhanComment