July 17th, 2009 by admin

Our kids spend way too much time stuck on the couch playing video games. Isn't it about time they used their imagination instead? Building an outdoor playhouse is a great way to get them started. It doesn't take much in the way of time or materials and it's an easy project you can tackle on a Saturday.

Pretty soon your child will be pirating the Caribbean, or having a tea party. All they need to get the imagination flowing is a little bit of your time and know how. Learning how to make an outdoor playhouse only takes a few simple steps.

Choose a spot where you can keep an eye on your kids! If you just happen to build the playhouse where you can see it from the living room window they won't notice, but you'll feel safer being able to check up on them.

Kids have great imaginations, so you won't need to build anything elaborate for them to come up with all sorts of play ideas. All you need are 4 walls, a doorway, and a couple windows.

Be sure to buy lumber that isn't pressure treated! The chemicals used are toxic and could harm your children.Pick up some lumber and building supplies, break out your saw and start building.Start off with a thick layer of play box sand for the floor. Just dump a few wheelbarrows full of sand and smooth it out nice and level.

Next sink four corner posts square to each other.

Lay a long piece of wood between each post and nail them together. Be sure all your corners are square. It saves time in the long run!

Nail another long piece to the top of each section.

Add 2x4 studs to the wall every 3 feet. Be sure to frame up a window on 2 of the sides as well as a doorway.

Clad the exterior in plywood and then paint it a vibrant color.Now add the roof. A couple pieces of plywood should be all you need. It doesn't have to be fancy, let your child's imagination take over instead. Just make sure it's built high enough for them to stand up in!

A great added feature is a secret escape door. Simply cut out a small hole in the back of the playhouse. Put some hinges and latch on a piece of scrap plywood and mount it over the hole. This little added feature is one of those things that you learn how to make an outdoor playhouse fun. Let your son or daughter "discover" the secret door, they'll be thrilled and it will add a whole new dimension to their play.

Pretty simple set up isn't it? It's an easy weekend design. Now it's time for the reward. Your son or daughter can now let their imagination roam free. Of course now you have the couch back and can turn on the game, that's just an added benefit of learning how to make an outdoor playhouse.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of numerous niche online stores that offer customers not only products, but information relating to furnishing and decorating indoor and outdoor living spaces. Whether you want to renew your deck or patio with Adirondack furniture or create the ultimate living environment with teak patio furniture

that is perfect for entertaining, there is a lot of helpful advice to take advantage of to make it happen. Click today and indulge your senses.

Author: Jennifer Akre

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