Updated November 2011
From basic sheds with a few embellishments to Colonial mini-mansions with all the architectural details, you're bound to find a plan for a do-it-yourself playhouse. Some of these projects are for dedicated and patient beginners with minor carpentry skills, others specify that the projects are difficult.
Include the lucky child or children who will be the new "homeowners" -- it's a great way to teach them some DIY basics, give them a feeling of accomplishment, and a chance for you and your crew to share a real experience and valuable time together. Plus, you'll be the coolest adult in the neighborhood.
Not convinced? Do you feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the project or are you pressed for time? Maybe a treehouse or playhouse kit is the answer -- it's still DIY, but with pre-cut, pre-sanded wood and materials.Easy Playhouse from Lowes
While this looks like a basic playhouse, Lowe's mentions that you need advanced skills to tackle the project. With that cleared up, this playhouse will let you test your skills at framing, sheathing and roofing, which you could employ on big do-it-yourself projects in the future. Like many dual-purpose playhouses these days, the playhouse can be used as a handy shed when your children have ougrown it.Handwerker Gingerbread Playhouse: Library of Congress
Ever searched through the online collection of The Library of Congress' Historic American Buildings Survey? You never know what you might find, including original plans for your Shaker-style dreamhouse. You can always use one of the plans and reduce the size, adjusting the scale to fit your yard and child.
This Handwerker Gingerbread Playhouse, which was in Memphis, features Victorian architectural details. The basic floorplan exists, but you'd have to improvise -- if you have super DIY skills, go for it! Search around the site for your favorite architectural style and let your creativity run rampant. Enjoy the archival photos.
How to Build a Playhouse: HGTV
Basic instructions with photos that take you through the steps involved and tools required to build and assemble a pre-fabricated (prefab) playhouse, usuallly from a kit. Typically, playhouse kits come equipped with most of the materials needed to assemble a backyard playhouse.
How to Build a Treehouse: Popular Mechanics
When you think about it, a treehouse is a playhouse in a -- you guessed it -- tree. Constructing a treehouse is going to be difficult -- Popular Mechanics has always been the monthly bible for hard-core DIYers.
This is not the quickly assembled sheet of plywood wedged into the branches of a tree you might have built with your father or grandfather. It takes into account building a platform as a foundation, safety, movement of trees, preassembling pieces and framing on the ground instead of perched precariously on a ladder, one board at a time. A well-built treehouse is enticing to children and adults. Who knows? It might be where your in-laws ask to stay on their next visit.
Jungle Cruise Playhouse Updated
Photo courtesy of madhatter/instructables
The projects featured on instructables.com are as clever and varied as their contributors. One thing's for sure -- you won't find any cookie-cutter mini McMansions here! This project has received rave reviews from readers, and instructions are around $25, but you can't blame the guy who created the Jungle Cruise playhouse for wanting some reward for his efforts. Plus, if you follow his directions, your playhouse will be the coolest on the block. Make that the whole county!
I'd venture to guess that this is for experienced DIYers, or extremely talented beginners who catch up easily, interpret directions well, and are creative to boot. When your kids outgrow the Jungle Cruise, you can turn it into a man or she-cave.
Log Cabin Playhouse
Courtesy of instructables.com
Another playhouse from Instructables for the more rustically inclined miniature house dweller. Includes a covered front porch for keeping an eye out for bears and other wild critters. This clever log cabin can be built for around $300, give or take a few dollars. Again, it's something that won't look like every other playhouse on the block, and you can retire to it when your kids have gone off to college.
Something to look forward to.
Playhouse Plans from Family Fun
From Family Fun Magazine, this simple playhouse uses durable plastic lattice and pressure-treated lumber.Pros:
- Cost of materials under $300
- Entire playhouse can be built in 10 hours or less.
- Simple; not luxurious.
- Uses pressure-treated lumber.
- Could not be used as a guest house during the cold months, if that matters.
Colonial Playhouse from Popular Mechanics
This colonial-style playhouse can be used as a storage shed when your children outgrow it. Includes clear, detailed instructions with step-by-step photos. Also helpful is a "reader comments' section. Keep in mind that Popular Mechanics' readers are usually experienced and skilled do-it-yourselfers.
Good for those with basic or beginning do-it-yourself skills. If you can read directions, you can build a playhouse. But you knew that.
