How to Build a Play Loft

Main Structure

• 1

  Cut five 4-foot lengths of untreated 4-by-4 lumber using a circular saw. Four will serve as the corner legs; the fifth will serve as the second of two vertical elements of the ladder.

• 2

  Cut two 2-by-6 boards to equal the width of the loft floor and two 2-by-6 boards to equal the length of the loft floor.

• 3

  Arrange the 2-by-6 boards on their narrow edges so that they form a rectangular or square shape. Drill two lag screws — one at the top and one at the bottom — through each of the corners of the frame to secure the pieces together.

• 4

  Measure the distance across the inside of the frame and cut three 2-by-4 boards to that length. Set one 2-by-4 in the center of the frame and drill two lag screws through the sides of the 2-by-6 boards into the ends of the 2-by 4 boards — top and bottom.

• 5

  Place the remaining 2-by-4 boards inside the frame so that they are evenly spaced on either side of the 2-by-4 in the center of the frame. Secure them in place with lag screws, following the instructions given in Step 5 for securing the 2-by-4 in the center of the frame.

• 6

  Cut a piece of 3/4-inch-thick medium-density fiberboard to the length and width of the top of the frame. Place the cut MDF on top of the frame. Drill 2-inch wood screws through the edges of the MDF into the edges of the frame.

• 7

  Set one 4-by-4 — on end — flush inside each of the corners of the frame. Drill two lag screws through the outside of each of the corners of the frame and into the 4-by-4 posts. Position the fifth 4-by-4 post parallel to any of the corner posts so that 18 inches of space separate them.

• 8

  Determine, based on your child's size and agility, the number of rungs required in the ladder that will give him access to the loft.

• 9

  Cut as many 26-inch sections of 2-by-4 lumber as necessary to provide the rungs for your child to safely and comfortably climb into the loft.

• 10

  Secure the rungs across the outside of the two 4-by-4s that are spaced 18 inches apart, using two lag screws on each end of each rung.

• 11

  Recruit the assistance of at least one other adult to lift the finished structure and turn it top-side-up and position it in the desired location. Choose a corner if space allows to provide two walls for the loft.

• 12

  Personalize the loft to meet your child's interests. Paint the frame with non-toxic paint in colors that your child likes. Alternatively, paint cardboard to resemble a castle, outer space or anything else your child is interested in and hang them around the perimeter of the frame.

• 13

  Place pillows and blanket inside the loft. Add a desk so your child can do homework. Set a small mattress, pillows or a sleeping bag underneath the loft to create an adventurous sleeping nook. Extend these efforts 2 or 3 feet beyond the perimeter of the loft to ensure a safe fall zone.