How To Make An Outdoor Playhouse From Pallet

7 Materials
$200
3 Weeks
Advanced

I wanted to create a outdoor playhouse for my grand kids. I came up with using a pallet and cedar planks.

Creating the base for the playhouse


I started with a pallet and that was the base for the playhouse. I needed plywood to nail on top of the pallet to create for the floor. There is lots of building going on so I asked the construction site next door if they had some plywood. They were very nice and gave me some. I measured and cut the plywood with my circulating saw and nail it down to the pallet,

Add the frame for the playhouse


I was able to find a bunch of 2 by 4 and I created 4- 4 by 4 that will be used as the frame that holds up the roof.

Creating the roof.


I needed 5 more 2 by 4 to create the roof. The pitch of this playhouse is very easy to do. You will need to buy 2 90 degree braces that is for 2 by 4 lumber. The 2 by 4 boards will need to be mitered at a 45-degree angle to fit flush on top of your posts. You will need to cut a 90-degree angle off of the end of the 45 to make it line up with the end of your 4×4. They are not mitered at the top. Before you attach the roof there is one other piece you have to attach which is the 72 ” 2 by 4. You will need to add a brace on both 90-degree braces as shown in the photo below.

Attach the roof to the 4 by 4


Once everything is mitered you can attach it to all the 2 by 4 braces. Then attach the 72 ” long 2 by 4 across so it lays on the 90-degree brace. Make sure you drill the screws in each hole of the brace into the wood.

Attaching the cedar planks


The next step is adding the planks to the floor and back. Measure the planks and cut them with a miter saw box. I used finishing nails to attached them to the pallet and back of the 4 by 4.

Adding the canvas.


Take two 6 by 9 canvas and sew them together. See pic below to see how to position the canvas on the roof to take measurements for grommets.

Add the canvas to the roof.


Once the canvas is positioned you can inset a rope into the grommets holes and tie the canvas to the end of the 4 by 4.

Use eye hooks to tie the canvas


You can use 4 eye hooks that are inserted into each 4 by 4.

Decorate the playhouse


You can use pillows to sit down and baskets filled with books and toys for the kids. Hope you enjoyed my outdoor cedar playhouse.

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  3 questions
  • Pam-ella Pam-ella on Jun 14, 2020

    That's adorable! Will you have to take the canvas in when it rains?

  • Pris Pris on Jun 14, 2020

    How do you keep the spiders out?

  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Jul 15, 2020

    Hi, This is so sweet. Are those cheerleader pom poms around opening? Ty

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  • Thomas Thomas on Jun 15, 2021

    Make sure you use a "treated wood" pallet or you will have termites within a year that will not only eat this creation up, but your home as well. Been there, done that!

  • Linda Abate Linda Abate on Jun 15, 2021

    This is sooooooooooo adorable. A great idea for those little ones. I am sure it is well used. GREAT JOB.

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