Build a Simple Playhouse - Back Wall

Difficulty

Beginner

You can build your own playhouse! This simple back wall is designed to come from a single sheet of plywood. Easy to build and very sturdy, yet inexpensive and well planned to integrate with the side walls and roof.

This playhouse plan is part of a series of plans:

BIG PROJECT, BUSY BUSY WEEK

Last week, when I started building the playhouse, I was feeling quite discouraged. With my husband out of town for the week, and a busy toddler to care for, on top of prioritizing creating a dozen new plans, it seemed each wall was taking forever to build.

Yet I set a goal, one wall a night.

And one wall a night, I somehow ended up with this at the end of the week.

TACKLE ONE WALL AT A TIME

Despite being a busy week, a week where I felt overwhelmed and unaccomplished, out in our backyard stands four walls and a pink door. The trick was to just build one wall at a time, as time allows. In this plan we will show you how to build the back wall. It is the easiest wall - may I suggest starting with this one?

Dimensions

Fits the Playhouse Plans Collection

Preparation

Shopping List

Shopping List is for just the Back Wall

1 – 1/4″ Sheet of Plywood
6 – 2×2 Furring Strips 8 feet long
2 – 1×3 Furring Strips 8 feet long
1 – 1×2 Furring Strip 8 feet long
2 1/2″ Self Tapping Screws
1 1/4″ Nails Glue

Common Materials

Elmer's Wood Filler

120 grit sandpaper

primer

wood conditioner

paint

paint brush

Cut List

Cut List is just for the Back Wall

2 – 2×2 @ 90″ (Top and Bottom Plates for Walls)
7 – 2×2 @ 45″ (Wall Studs)
1 – 1/4″ Plywood @ 48″ x 90″ (Back Panel)
2 – 1×3 @ 90″ (Top and Bottom Trim)
2 – 1×2 @ 43″ (Side Trim)

Tools

General Instructions

Read all plans for the playhouse before buying any boards or beginning any building. Have a clear understanding of how the playhouse will be put together. Work on a clean level surface and predrill all your screws. Check for square and use glue on all joints. Be safe.

Instructions

Step 1

FRAME YOUR WALL
Well, I guess it did come in handy that I helped frame a few houses. Begin by marking on both the top and bottom plates where the joist will got (click diagram for a larger view). Then predrill all the holes in the top and bottom plates. Then begin fastening the studs to the top and bottom plates. Check for square when all boards have been fastened.

Step 2

SHEATHING
I was thinking about you (and me) when I designed this plan. Simply take a full sheet of plywood and trim 6″ off the end to get a piece 90″x48″. The reason you have to trim the 6″ off is because the overall dimensions need to be less than 96″ to fit on a standard 8′ 2×6 deck (again, to save you money and unnecessary cuts). Glue and fasten on with 1 1/4″ nails.

Step 3

TRIM
Cut your longer trim first and glue and nail down with 1 1/4″ nails. Then add the 1×2 trim to the ends, keeping outside edges flush.

Step 4

ASSEMBLY
When you go to assemble the playhouse, the wall will sit inside the gable end wall as shown above. You will need to screw with 3″ screws from this inside of the back wall into the gable end wall (the screw will need to be fastened at a slight angle).

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions

Fill nail holes with wood filler and let dry. Sand smooth. Apply a primer. First paint your trim (you can be a little messy when painting your trim). Then cut your base color in, being careful not to paint on the trim boards. Use an exterior house paint. I used three coats of trim paint, and two coats of base paint.

Project Type

Playhouse

Room

Outdoor

Style

Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

TheBlackForrist (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 01:33

Oh this is excellent, now

Oh this is excellent, now when do we get the plans for play furniture... an oven/stove... eh? Your plans are phenomenal, thank you!

pk @ Room Remix (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 01:47

SO cute!

1 Funky Woman (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 02:05

I'm showing this to my

I'm showing this to my husband right now! I love it!

Heather (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 02:10

that rocks Ana! love

that rocks Ana! love it!
@TheBlackForrist...she already has the play furniture plans on her site for indoor use, we could certainly use those for the playhouse, right? :)

Diane (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 03:49

This whole project is just

This whole project is just brimming with cuteness. Thanks for finding the great paint site as well. It worked out great!

Jenni (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 05:18

I am longing to make this

I am longing to make this playhouse for my kiddos! I have been soooo excited each time I see a photo of it pop up on my reader! Thanks for all your hardwork....and I'll be sure to post pics as soon as I can get mine made {still waiting for this darn rain to stop here in Idaho!!!}

Liana Brooks (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 06:26

You feel bad? Ana, how?

You feel bad? Ana, how? You're amazing! You're making a wall a day and watching the kids! That's impressive, don't knock it.

Live the Home Life (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 07:15

Hi Ana,This comment is way

Hi Ana,

This comment is way random but I need your help! I found (not bought) this bookshelf a while back and since posting it on my blog, people have been asking me where they can find one of their own:

Click here to see the bookshelf...

I've searched your site high and low to find a similar plan with the tall, narrow cubbies. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Ana!

-Cara @ Live the Home Life

Loni (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 07:20

This house is freaking

This house is freaking adorable! Your making me want to build my own house house! lol.

Shelly (not verified)

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 09:05

This is amazing! I have 6

This is amazing! I have 6 girls and they will love this for sure, but I'm afraid I'll have to make more than one! I have a long list of things to build! Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with us!!!