That leaves me to build a something myself. So now I’m looking at playhouse plans on the Web. I can’t say I’m very happy with what I’ve found. Of course I’ve checked out all the free playhouse plans first, hoping to at least get an idea of what’s involved with this kind of project. It’s looking a little scary so far. Most plans seem to be written by carpenters, who toss around construction terminology as if I were right there beside them on a job site. So I’m off to do a little research in how playhouses are built so I can figure it out for myself. Keep in mind that I’m not looking to build one of those giant-sized playhouses – the ones that are so big you could rent them out as an apartment.

While it may not say this, always use a heat-treated wood. Make sure that if you are using nails or bolts and screws to fasten it together, that you recess the ends, or cover them so that they won’t snag on your children’s clothing. Make sure you seal all the surfaces with non toxic paint or sealant, so the finishes will stay in top shape for a long time. Before you let them play in or on it, go over everything so check for rough spots, and sharp edges, and sand all of these to a smooth finish.

Building the Playhouse Walls

There is no need to spend a lot of money in order to get a great set of children’s playhouse plans. Sure, you can purchase kits to build these playhouses at your local building store, but they will cost you a lot more money than if you had started from scratch with children’s playhouse plans and purchased your own materials.

You can save money if you purchase children’s playhouse plans and then source out the materials from the lowest cost place, or look for sales on lumber, etc. Often, shopping around will get you some really good deals on wood and needed supplies to finish your project. You can even shop around from home by making a few phone calls and checking on prices before you even go out to purchase supplies.

Finally, just follow the woodworking plans you selected to build the playhouse. If they are the plans that I suggested, they will surely take you by the hand, step by step. And you will end up with a beautiful and fun backyard playhouse your child will surely enjoy.

For starters, you have two ways to go about this. The first option is for anyone who has absolutely no DIY building experience at all. In that case, you should find someone who is good at building things themselves to help you. It can be a friend or family member, or it could be a professional carpenter who knows what to do.

3) Choose your playhouse plans carefully. That’s the greatest lesson I learned. There are lots of pictures and playhouse ideas to be gotten from the Internet, but nothing is as important as good, easy-to-follow plans. We had fun on our vacation that year, but I think her own playhouse would have given my daughter a lot of great childhood memories that she’ll never have now.

You would also have to consider your children’s preferences. There is no point building a playhouse that you like and not one that your kids like. Kids at times seem to have majestic ideas about their playhouses, have a fun brain storming session with your kids and look at how best you could execute their majestic ideas in a cost effective fashion.

Playhouse ideas range from simple to very elaborate and which playhouse plans you choose will depend on a number of factors. Many years ago my wife sent away for some playhouse blueprints with the idea that I would build it for our daughter. I opened the the package and Yikes! They were so complicated and expensive looking that I put them aside and took the family to Yosemite instead. Now my daughter is getting married and I sometimes regret never building that playhouse, but here’s what I’ve learned.