How to Build Playhouse Kits Yourself

Children's playhouses are wooden structures that can include swings, ladders, monkey bars, rope ladders and other options for kids to play on. Major retailers like Toys R Us offer a variety of different types ranging from $500 to $3,000. These playhouse kits are very detailed and construction is challenging. A friend's help is required on certain assembly steps. Basic tools are required. No special skills are needed to complete assembly.

Hammer
Ratchet set
Power screwdriver with multiple drills/ bits
Measuring tape
Level

Instructions

- 1
  
  Take a detailed inventory of all the pieces that came in the kit. The wood pieces may not be marked, so the only way you can tell which part is needed is to measure it against supplied plans and mark it yourself. Same goes for the hardware---carefully label each bolt, washer and nut and place them in separate boxes for future use.
- 2
  
  Assemble long pieces on a garage floor or in a driveway. It is essential to use a level to maintain proper angles. Construction is best done in sub-assemblies: first swingset beams, then monkey bar ladders, then playhouse sides.
- 3
  
  Do not try to assemble it all yourself. There will be a few steps where a friend is mandatory. Setting the roof atop the playhouse and attaching the swingset arms are two examples. Assemble as much as you can before moving the playhouse to the area where it will go.
- 4
  Pick as flat a spot as you can. If mulch or dirt or sand is chosen as the surface, level it out. Grass is fine too. Save the stakes until the very end---they will be used for anchoring the set. Once the major assembly of the playhouse is moved to its location, adding on the remaining features like a slide, rockwall or swing extension can be accomplished more easily.
- 5
  Drive the anchoring stakes into the ground and screw them into the legs or supports of the playhouse. Add extra reinforcing beams for flooring and the roof.
- 6
  Give the finished masterpiece a thorough once over to look for possible hazards, particularly protruding screws and nails that children can injure themselves on. Cover them with solid pieces of rubber or heavy duct tape.

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