You guys. I can’t even tell you how insanely excited I am to share my latest build with you today. I mean, just look:
Is that not the most adorable thing you ever did see?
The tongue-and-groove planks!
The transom window!
The flower box!
Seriously. I can’t even. I am dying over here.
Dyyyyying.
I’m dead.
Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking. I can feel you judging me with your judgy eyeballs.
You’re thinking:
“But Jen, you said ‘INDOOR’ playhouse and we are CLEARLY OUTDOORS.”
I know, I knowww.
But trust me, if you saw my house right now, you would be thanking me for sparing your precious peepers. They would literally burn out of your head if you saw what a train wreck my house is right now.
We’re about to move (again! Army life) and we are buried in cardboard boxes and crap ev-er-y-where. I have no idea how we move so often and still manage to collect SO.MUCH.STUFF. We had a yard sale right before we moved out of our house in Kentucky and when we got to our new house, we had another yard sale because we were unpacking boxes, asking ourselves, “why the heck did we move this crap across state lines?!”
I blame my husband – I am a devoted de-clutterer. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it. #pinkyswear
So that’s why we had to move the INDOOR Kids’ Playhouse outside. Kinda like when it rains on your wedding day and you have to move the ceremony indoors. It’s totally like that, only the opposite. Isn’t it ironic? (see what I did there) #punny #alanis4ever!
Speaking of Alanis, have you heard her recent remake of “Ironic”? It.Is.EPIC.
Okay, enough shenanigans. Are you ready to learn how to build this stinkin’ adorable DIY kids indoor playhouse? I’ve got you covered with the free building plans!
I teamed up with my good friends at Simpson Strong-Tie® for this build. If you’ll recall, I’m a fancy schmancy Brand Ambassador. Oh, you missed the announcement? Catch up here. We’ll wait.
Building with Simpson Strong-Tie® mending plates, tie plates, and angles make this build a very easy and straight-forward project. You guys. I built this playhouse in TWO DAYS.
Basically, it goes like this: build the frame out of 2x4s. Nail the tongue-and-groove planks on and you’ve got a DIY kids playhouse. The Strong-Tie connectors make it so easy and super quick and you don’t need any fancy tools to do it – just a drill, a saw, hammer, and brad nailer and you’re good to go.
You’ll see from the building plans that I chose to use Simpson Strong-Tie® MP24 mending plates on the exterior sides of the frames so that the tongue-and-groove boards would sit flush to the frame and I used Simpson Strong-Tie® TP15 tie plates on the interior sides of the frames to add extra stability and strength.
As soon as the frame was built, I used my brad nailer to nail the tongue-and-groove planks on. Start at the bottom, with the tongue facing up, then stack the next board above it, interlocking the tongue into the groove. Shoot a few nails at a 45º angle into the tongue (as shown in the photo below) to secure the board to the frame. By nailing at the tongue, you’re able to hide the nail holes a little easier.
The reasons I chose tongue-and-groove boards over regular lumber is because 1) I love the charming look of it and 2) they’re so much cheaper! At my local Home Depot, one 1x6x8′ tongue-and-groove board costs $5.32 and one 1x6x8′ common board is $11.72. I just saved you half your money. You’re welcome.
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll have seen a sneak peek of this project. My kiddos were too excited, I pretty much had to build around them. It’s a good thing they’re cute little monkeys.
Because the roof is angled, the top boards will have to be cut to fit. Hold the top board in place (don’t attach it just yet), mark the line, and cut off the excess with a jigsaw or circular saw. You’ll only have to do this for the two sides. The front and back panels are all straight cuts. Hallelu!
Once the four separate panels were built, I used Simpson Strong-Tie® A21Z angles to join all four sides to construct the house. I used 3 angles at each corner. This way, the playhouse can be easily assembled and disassembled, which is a must for military families like us.
Ta-da! The playhouse is up! Now is a good time to stain or paint, and finish the house, before adding the trim and other details. I chose to leave the wood natural and simply sprayed a few coats of clear polyurethane on the playhouse to protect the wood. I spray-painted the trim pieces white then simply glued and nailed them onto the playhouse.
Finally, screw the roof on with 1-1/4-inch wood screws driven into the 2×4 frame. I chose plywood for the roof, but wouldn’t this look cute with actual roof shingles or maybe a corrugated roof panel? Totally adorbs. You could even drape a large piece of fabric over the top for the roof, if you wanted to. You know, since this is an INDOOR playhouse.
I’m kind of in love with this tiny flower box too. I made it out of a scrap 1×6 board. My daughter picked out all the flowers for her tiny garden. That creeping jenny just kills me.
By the way, that’s apple juice, not alcohol, in that tiny wine glass. What kind of monster do you take me for? #motheroftheyear
If you’d like to convert this indoor playhouse to one that is suitable outdoors, I would recommend using exterior-grade plywood and finishing it with several coats of exterior-grade polyurethane. You may even want to use cedar or redwood, since those wood species are naturally resistant to decay. Also, I’d replace the roof with one that is suitable for outdoors.
Aren’t these circle windows cute? You could certainly build a normal window, but who wants normal? I think the circle windows add a sweet touch of whimsy.
Enjoy the little things. Hahaha… get it?
It’s funny because this is a little house for little people and the sign says… okay. You get it.
Speaking of little, get a load of this guy. This is Watson, our giant Rhodesian Ridgeback. I suppose when the kids get tired of this playhouse, we could convert it to Watson’s dog house. It’s a two-fer. #winning
He looks larger than life next to this tiny house. Let’s film our very own reality show and name it: Tiny house. Giant dog.
My kids are absolutely in love with their new playhouse. They love having picnics and story time in here. Maybe we’ll even camp out in here one night.
Yeahhh… probably not. My idea of ‘roughing it’ is staying at a hotel with no wi-fi. #firstworldproblems
My son wanted to wear the most obnoxious thing he owned. They went to the zoo earlier in the day and he said he wanted to wear this outfit so that Daddy would not lose him.
Oh, look. He succeeded.
What do you think? Do you want to build your very own DIY Kids Indoor Playhouse?
Okay, so let’s talk numbers. This project cost me about $250 in building materials and took 2 days to build. Not too shabby, right? You can totally knock this out in a weekend. Be sure to download the free building plans so you can build your own DIY Kids Indoor Playhouse!
If you’re interested, here’s a source list:
Preserved Boxwood Wreath / Carved Wood Stool / Basket Side Table / Upholstered Chairs
Enjoy the Little Things Banner / Welcome Mat / Teal Ceramic Planter / Orange Ceramic Planter
Be sure to PIN IT so you don’t forget it!
*This post contains affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here. A huge thank you goes to Simpson Strong-Tie® for partnering with me on this project. All efforts, opinions, giant canines, and happy children are my own.
Oh YES!!! This is definitely a project for Summer 2017!! Thank you for including the plans!!!
Of course! Thanks Beth!
I love this! Thank you for sharing. How much did this cost to build (a ball park figure….I know material prices vary)?
Jen will you be my friend? I love your style of writing I feel like you are a friend. thank you for sharing your fun projects with us but even more for sharing yourself and your adorable lucky children. I’m thinking of building this for my sister’s yard, she has lots and lots of space, rural North Dakota, and grandchildren. Because of your wonderful design, when they are done I can move it to my yard. I was planning to put screening on the windows to keep the mosquitos down. I think screen stapled in place with trim inside and out to cover the edges should work well. or maybe I’ll make real screen windows so when it’s inside for the winter they won’t be in the way. hmmmmm decisions decisions……
This is adorable!! I am looking for quick plans because I am not an expert builder but really want a playhouse for the littles this year. My oldest turns 4 next week & would LOVE to give her a playhouse for her birthday. Yours looks like I MIGHT be able to accomplish it in time. Thank you!
Wow! amazing. Such a gorgeous ideas. every child inspires to want this colorful playhouse. I just back my childhood time. thanks, this wonderful Diy pallet playhouse ideas.
Hi Jen,
Thank you so much for these super easy, super cool, super cute plans! I used them for my daughter’s 4th birthday and she LOVES it. It’s so solid and it came apart and went back together so easily, too.
Now she’s politely asking me for a front door for it and I have no idea where to start! Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks again — this is really too cool.
Thanks for the awesome comment, Brian! Hearing that never gets old – so glad these plans worked out for you and your girl! As for the front door – funny, my kids were asking for the same thing! I think it would be super easy to add a door by building the door out of 1x boards, and then adding a couple of door hinges and a door knob. Maybe our next playhouse will have a door because they are clearly in demand! Haha
you rock 🙂
Grandma found her new she shed. I love your sense of humour but seriously, your furniture looks in better shape than mine so if I buy new, then no dogs allowed. They’ve already chewed up my couch.
Hey Jen! I have been studying these indoor play house plans for a solid hour!!! I have a client wanting an indoor dog house ? (how awesome is that?!?) but it HAS to disassemble to get IN the house!! Which is why your plans are AWESOME!!! I just have a question about the strength around the windows… does the trim you added to the exterior add strength? I really don’t want to add extra vertical nailers (we are leaving the inside “unfinished” like you did. And I feel like the extra nailers will make it too busy in there.. but with it being a dog house I’m concerned. You can tell children not to jump through the windows and halfway count on them listening.. but a dog?!?!? Gah!! Any insight would be MUCH appreciated!! THANK YOU
-Ranae
Hi Ranae,
An indoor dog house does sound fun! The window trim does offer some strength. I’d recommend building it without the extra nailers and if you think you might need the extra strength, then it would be easy to add after the fact. Hope that helps! Good luck!
omg this is so cute i will build like this one for my kids and you are gonna help me 😉 you just nailled it
I can’t wait to build this for my kids! I’ve tried to get the plans several times but haven’t gotten the email. Is there another way to download the plans?
Hi Miranda,
I’m showing that you unsubscribed from my email list on 10/22 which may be why you’re not receiving the email. I just resent the plans – hopefully the email won’t get lost in your spam folder. Please let me know if you still haven’t received the plans.
I’m also a mil wife and we’re pcsing soon. What a cuyr playhouse!!! You’re amazing!! But how do you move this when you move? I know movers would do that, but is it safe? I mean, is it gonna stay in one piece by time you get to your destination? Did the movers move this to your next house?
Hi Erica!
We actually gave this playhouse to our neighbor, but I did design the playhouse so that it easily disassembles into separate, flat panels – easy for PCSing!
I’m looking at building this for my son as an outdoor playhouse. I was wondering how easy it would be to add a base/ flooring?
This house is so cute…I will allow it in my yard! lol I have banned all plastic ones so far but my boys want a playhouse. My Dad is retired and wants a project so I sent him these plans. The only thing we are having issue with is the front wall – the sides are sloped at 5% and the front 2×4 sticks out above the frame on the side wall? How does the roof go on? Do I have to cut the angle off the top of the 2×4 on the front wall? Thanks 🙂
Thank you for your plans. I saw a similar playhouse for sale, but it was too small for us so I’m excited to size this up some to 8′ x 6′. I do have one question with the plan. The shopping list doesn’t indicate which dimensions are for what kind of wood. So, are all the 1 x 4’s framing wood and the others tongue and groove? I can go through the plans and highlight, but with the size adjustment I’m not sure which things I need to change and how. I was thinking about just doing T1-11 siding, but I don’t think it would save much money if I can figure out the measurements, since I’ll be cutting away so much in the front and one side and the siding doesn’t come tall enough.
This is so great. I’m planning to build a tree house for my kids. Your project gave me some ideas for it. Nice share, Jen
Jen
This plan looks great. Just a suggestion for those wanting a portable playhouse. You might consider replacing the 90 degree angle brackets with loose pin door hinges. This would make setup and tear down easy.
Thank you and your family for your service.
Ken
Nice!! You have given amazing information on this blog. I really like it. Amazing DIY for kids. I also like to create different types of DIY to decorate my home & I want to try this also. Thanks for sharing this…
What is the age range for this playhouse
How much did materials cost to build this playhouses? It’s adorable I’m wanting to build for my granddaughter
Thanks Tonya! We spent about $250 on materials. Looking forward to seeing yours – happy building!