Do you have a child that dreams of having a special playhouse? Do you love the idea of building it by yourself? Making your own ‘build-it-yourself’ playhouse is an exciting, memorable, and rewarding project that you and your child will cherish for years to come!
1. Unleash Your Creativity: Make a DIY Playhouse!
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. And what better way for kids to unleash their creativity than making their own customized playhouse? From using common found objects to making something completely out of the box – the possibilities are endless when you let a child’s imagination run wild.
Turn your home into a friendly DIY corner. We suggest you start with all of the essential materials:
- Cardboard – a staple material of choice! This is great for making the actual structure.
- Felt – you can use this material to decorate by creating various textures and shapes.
- Paint & colored markers – if you want to give the playhouse some extra flair and make it look more vibrant.
- Paper scraps and fabric scraps – these are perfect for adding more layers to the playhouse.
Give your creative minds some time to let their ideas wander and soon you’ll be ready to start piecing together the structure! With patience, your little one can have a customized playhouse that is sure to bring plenty of fun and joy.
2. Planning, Shopping and Prepping for a DIY Playhouse
Constructing your own playhouse for your children is a unique and fun way to build memories and have fun together. To make sure that your DIY project turns out amazing, however, you have to spend time on preparation and planning. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Let your kids be a part of the adventure and decide on the desired features they want.
- Take measurements and decide on the size of the playhouse.
- Consider the actual construction materials, including lumber, nails, paint, and other supplies.
Planning Your Playhouse: Planning is the key to a successful project and creating a completed playhouse that kids can use and enjoy. With the assistance of the entire family, plan out the playhouse. Using the measurements and features desired by the kids, create a diagram and separate the various tasks. Allocate different components of the project to each family member or designee so that everyone can be a part of the process.
3. Building the Playhouse: Big Projects in Small Steps
Big projects often seem impossible when looked at as a whole. But when broken down into small and achievable steps, they don’t seem as daunting. Building your very own playhouse is no exception. This is the part of the project where your imagination and creativity really get to shine. Here’s how to break the big project down into smaller, perfectly manageable tasks:
- The Base: A strong and even base is essential for any house – large or small. Preparation like this is essential and requires a few basic parts to be put together, starting with four corner posts. Once the frame is finished, you can then piece together the flooring.
- The Walls: Delineate your walls by inserting studs between corner posts and securing them on top and bottom with nails. Once the frame is finished, you can begin to add wall sheathing. To add even more character – and further texturize – you can attach wood shingles to the walls.
The Roof: With the walls finished, it’s time to move onto the roof. Cut the rafters, making sure they are even and symmetrical. Secure them with nails or screws, then add wood shingles. Once the roof is complete, cut two pieces of plywood for each of the gable ends and secure them with nails.
4. Have Fun and Enjoy Your Playhouse Masterpiece!
As your little wooden castle or cottage takes shape, let your creative juices flow! You have a unique opportunity to add charm to your playhouse. When you have any extra pieces of distressing wood, you can use them to make steps. You can also craft whimsical little designs from woodgrain, flowers, stars, and other shapes.
Create a secret door for your playhouse with a hinged panel or lace a windowpane in latticed wood. You can paint the entire structure in bright, cheery colors or keep it natural and rustic. You can even add a bit of bling with removable wall decals, rickrack trims, or sequined fabric.
- Paint vibrant colors to create a cheerful atmosphere
- Add removable wall decals to bring extra character
- Craft secret doors for a touch of mystery
- Accessorize with fabric and trims for whimsical charm
With some creativity and elbow grease, you can put together a build-it-yourself playhouse that your kids will enjoy and treasure for years to come. So, get ready to get your hands dirty and turn your imagination into reality!