I Want to Build a Kid's Club House

Level the site for the clubhouse. This can be done by hand using a shovel or it can be done with a vehicle with a scraper blade. If possible, create a smooth mound so that water will flow away from the building rather than into it or under it.

Spread a layer of pea gravel on top of the mound. Position the railroad ties so that if water does flow under the building, it will flow through and away, not be trapped and held. Use a level to make sure they are even and that their tops are level.

Position 2-by-4 boards across the railroad ties, with their narrow edges up. Lay plywood on top of the boards, and nail it down to form the floor. Use the floor as a level surface to lay out each wall in turn. For each wall you will need a bottom board, a top board, and studs or upright boards. The studs should be positioned about 24 inches apart, except when allowing space for a door or window. Make one wall taller than the other so you can create a shed roof.

Make the back wall first. This one will not have a door or window, and should face north. When the two inch by four inch boards are fastened together, stand it up and nail it to the platform. Attach temporary braces to the outside to keep it from twisting or turning while you make the end walls. The end walls should be the same height as the back wall, and should ideally have a window in each. As you complete each one and stand it up, they will help brace the back wall.

Assemble the 2-by-4 inch frame for the front, leaving a space for the pre-hung door. Nail it to the side walls of the building. At this point, you should be able to remove the temporary braces.

Make rafters by cutting a notch in each end of 2-by-4-inch boards so that they will fit comfortably across the tops of the front and back wall with narrow edges up, and with ends sticking out about six inches beyond the walls. Nail them down, then lay plywood over them to form the roof.

Install the doors and windows, leaving the unfinished edge pointing toward the outside. Cut plywood to fit on the outside walls, and nail it to the 2-by-4-inch boards. Nail felt paper, then the asphalt roll roofing onto walls and roof.

Cut 1-by-4-inch boards to fit around the windows and door to act as trim. Paint any exposed wood with an exterior grade paint. Furnish the club house with household castoff furniture or garage sale items.