The Holidays are quickly approaching and making something special for your little ones is a fabulous way to celebrate! A playhouse that you are excited to add to your home is perfect for all of you style conscious parents out there! I will be posting plans as part of our ongoing Handmade Holiday series, between now and then, and of course we have many plans from the previous years for you to choose from as well. I will be retagging all of our plans that didn’t get updated in the move, so check back often to see which project you might like to tackle for your children this year!
As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are easy as pie and perfect for beginners). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase on the site or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram / FB and @thedesconf on Twitter / Pinterest. If you are a blogger and you post about your build, don’t forget to include a link to your post on your showcase here. Don’t forget… for all of our newer plans, clicking on the images will let them expand to enormous sizes with much greater clarity. The older plans may need updating so please let us know if you need one fixed!
- Tape Measure
- Saw – Jig Saw, Circular, Table, or Miter Saw
- Drill
- Multi-Square and Carpenter’s Square
- Sander
- Kreg Jig – if you build frequently, invest in this one.
- Nail Gun
- 2 – 1×2 at 8’
- 11 – 2×2 at 8’
- 2 – 1/2” plywood at – 4’x8’
- 1 – 1/4” plywood at – 2’x2’
- 2” Pocket Hole Screws
- 2-1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
- 1-1/4″ Brad Nails
- 2 Face Frame Concealed Hinges
- Concealed Hinge Jig
- 1 Knob
- Anti-Tip Kit
- Countersink Drill Bit
- Pocket Hole Plugs – Paint Grade, Pine, Oak – optional
- Clamps
- Safety Gear
- 3/4″ Edge Banding – optional
- Wood Filler
- Wood Glue
- Sanding Supplies
- Paste Wax
- Finishing Supplies
- 2 – 2×2 at 54” – Front Side Posts
- 4 – 2×2 at 41-3/4” – Front Side Roof Support, Front Side Top Plate, Front Side Center Rail, and Front Side Bottom Plate
- 2 – 2×2 at 46-1/4” – Back Side Posts
- 4 – 2×2 at 41-3/4” – Back Side Roof Support, Back Side Top Plate, Back Side Center Rail, and Back Side Bottom Plate
- 3 – 2×2 at 41-3/4” – Right Side Top Plate, Right Side Center Rail, and Right Side Bottom Plate
- 1 – 2×2 at 41-3/4” – Left Side Top Plate
- 2 – 2×2 at 20” – Left Side Center Rail and Left Side Bottom Plate
- 1 – 2×2 at 40-1/2” – Left Side Door Frame
- 2 – 2×2 at 18-3/4” – Back Side Center Posts
- 2 – 2×2 at 18-3/4” – Right Side Center Posts
- 1 – 2×2 at 18-3/4” – Front Center Post
- 2 – 2×2 at 48” – Side Roof Supports
- 2 – 2×2 at 19-3/4” –Door Frame Top and Bottom
- 2 – 2×2 at 18-1/2” – Door Frame Sides
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-1/2”x16-3/4” – Door Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-3/4”x20” – Left Side Mail Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-3/4”x20” – Left Side Bottom Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-3/4”x20” – Back Side Top Left Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-3/4”x20” – Back Side Bottom Left Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-3/4”x20-1/4” – Back Side Top Right Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 41-3/4”x2-1/2” – Back Side Top Roof Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-3/4”x20-1/4” – Right Side Bottom Left Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-3/4”x20” – Right Side Bottom Right Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 41-3/4”x10-1/4” – Front Top Roof Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-3/4”x20-1/4” – Front Bottom Left Panel
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 18-3/4”x20” – Front Bottom Right Panel
- 1 – 1/4” plywood at 18-1/2”x20” – Front Sliding Panel
- 4 – 1×2 at 41-3/4”– Sliding Panel Guides
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 51-1/2”x50-3/4” – Top (use scraps from the 4×8 plywood sheets to create the top) OR get creative and use corrugated panels, strung twinkle lights, etc!
Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.
Cut the pieces for the Front Side Posts, Front Side Roof Support, Front Side Top Plate, Front Side Center Rail, and Front Side Bottom Plate. Cut the Top of the Front Side Posts as shown in the blowup detail – measure 1/4” down on the backside of the pieces and mark it. Cut the angle as shown. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in the ends of the Roof Support, Top Plate, Center Rail, and Bottom Plate. Make sure the pocket holes face toward the floor of the Playhouse. Assemble pieces as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Additionally, make sure that the Roof Support does not extend above the cut angle of the Front Side Posts when assembled.
Cut the pieces for the Back Side Posts, Back Side Roof Support, Back Side Top Plate, Back Side Center Rail, and Back Side Bottom Plate. Cut the Top of the Back Side Posts as shown in the blowup detail – measure 1/4” down on the backside of the piece and mark it. Cut the angle as shown. Drill pocket holes in the ends of the Roof Support, Top Plate, Center Rail, and Bottom Plate. Make sure the pocket holes face toward the floor of the Playhouse. Assemble pieces as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Additionally, make sure that the Roof Support does not extend above the cut angle of the Back Side Posts.
Cut the piece for the Right Side Top Plate, Right Side Center Rail, and Right Side Bottom Plate. Drill pocket holes in each end of these pieces. Attach as shown to both the Front Side and the Back Side with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Make sure that the pocket holes face toward the floor of the Playhouse.
Cut the pieces for the Left Side Top Plate, Left Side Center Rail, Left Side Bottom Plate, and Left Side Door Frame. Drill pocket holes in the ends of the Top Plate, Center Rail, and Bottom Plate. Attach as shown to both the Front Frame and the Back Frame with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Make sure that the pocket holes face toward the floor of the Playhouse.
Cut the pieces for the Back Side Center Posts. Drill pocket holes in the ends of these pieces and attach as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Make sure that the pocket holes face the inside of Playhouse.
Cut the pieces for the Right Side Center Posts. Drill pocket holes in the ends of these pieces and attach as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Make sure that the pocket holes face the inside of Playhouse.
Cut the pieces for the Front Center Post. Drill pocket holes in the ends of the Post and attach as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Make sure that the pocket holes face the inside of Playhouse.
Cut the rough pieces for the Side Roof Supports, approximately 48” in length. Clamp the pieces to the Front and Back Posts so that the Supports follow the angle of the Posts and overhang on each end. Draw a line along the interior side of the Posts with your pencil – this will be the angle that you will need to cut. After cutting the marked angles, drill pocket holes in the ends of these pieces and attach as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Make sure that the pocket holes face toward the floor of the Playhouse.
Cut the pieces for the Top and Bottom Door Frame, Side Door Frames, and Door Panel. Drill pocket holes in the ends of the Side Door Frames and attach as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Make sure that the pocket holes face the inside of Playhouse. Set the Kreg jig for 1/2” material and drill pocket holes in all sides of the Door Panel. Again, make sure the pocket holes face the inside of the Playhouse. Center the Door Panel within the Door Frame that was just assembled and attach with glue and 2” pocket screws. The Door Panel should be set back 1/2” from the front and the back of the Door Frame. Attach the hinges to the Door Frame and Post as shown so that there is a constant 1/4” gap on all sides of the door. Attach a knob if desired.
Cut the pieces for the Left Side Mail Panel and Left Side Bottom Panel. Drill pilot holes in each corner of the mail slot. Then, cut out the mail slot as shown with a jigsaw. Drill pocket holes on all the sides of each Panel (the Kreg jig should still be set for 1/2” material). Attach as shown with glue and 2” pocket screws. The Panels should be centered in their surrounding 2×2 “frames.” Make sure that the pocket holes face the inside of Playhouse.
Cut the pieces for the Back Side Top Roof Panel, Back Side Top Left Panel, Back Side Top Right Panel, and Back Side Bottom Left Panel. Drill pocket holes on all the sides of the Panels (the Kreg jig should still be set for 1/2” material). If desired, paint the Top Right and Bottom Left Panels with chalkboard paint. Attach as shown with glue and 2” pocket screws. The Panels should be centered in their surrounding 2×2 “frames.” Make sure that the pocket holes face the inside of Playhouse.
Cut the pieces for the Right Side Bottom Left Panel and Right Side Bottom Right Panel. Drill pocket holes on all the sides of the Panels (the Kreg jig should still be set for 1/2” material). Attach as shown with glue and 2” pocket screws. The Panels should be centered in their surrounding 2×2 “frames.” Make sure that the pocket holes face the inside of Playhouse.
Cut the pieces for the Front Top Roof Panel and Front Bottom Left and Right Panels. Drill pocket holes on all the sides of the Panels (the Kreg jig should still be set for 1/2” material). If desired, paint the Top Roof Panel with chalkboard paint. Attach as shown with glue and 2” pocket screws. The Panels should be centered in their surrounding 2×2 “frames.” Make sure that the pocket holes face the inside of Playhouse.
- Cut the piece for the Front Sliding Panel. Drill 1” holes as shown on each side of the Panel. If desired, paint the Sliding Panel with chalkboard paint.
- Cut the pieces for the Sliding Panels Guides. Set the Kreg jig for 1/2” material and drill pocket holes in each ends of the guides. Place the Sliding Panel between the front and back guides on both the top and bottom. Install as shown with glue and 1-1/2” pocket screws. The pocket holes on the guides should face the inside of the Playhouse.
- There should be a 1/2” space between the guides when installed.
Cut the pieces for the Top. There will be approximately a 3” overhang on all sides. Attach to the Playhouse Frame with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
// Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it. / Affiliate links are used for tools and materials. The Design Confidential will earn a small commission for any items purchased using these links. Thank you for your support – every little bit counts!
