Free DIY Playhouse Plans to Build for the Kids: Create the Perfect Playground for Your Little Ones

Have your kids dreamed of having their own backyard playhouse? Creating an outdoor playhouse for your kids doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, with a little creativity and some basic tools, you can build a charming, safe, and fun wooden playhouse right in your own backyard—completely free! All you need is a free playhouse plan, a few materials, and a bit of elbow grease. Spring is a good time to start on a new playhouse. The weather is cool and the little house can be finished and ready to be used for a long summer!

Here’s a step-by-step guide to building a DIY playhouse for kids that will inspire imaginative play, outdoor fun, and endless memories. And we have lots of free playhouse plans for some very cute options. The step-by-step instructions will help you create that dream playhouse before you know it. Our list has options for a simple playhouse, to a tree house, to a handmade home or handmade hideaway. Grab a free plan, create a material list, stop by Home Depot, and get building! In all reality, it can be a bit overwhelming, so just take it a step at a time. Read over your original plan multiple times, and add your own touches and changes where needed. The hardest part of this project is getting started!

Why Build a Playhouse?

Before diving into the details, let’s talk about why the perfect playhouse is such a great addition to your backyard:

Promotes Creativity: A playhouse gives kids a space to unleash their imagination. They can create new worlds, pretend to be superheroes, or host tea parties. SO MUCH FUN!
Encourages Outdoor Play: Kids are more likely to engage in active outdoor play when they have a designated area to explore. Even a small space works great!
Family Bonding: Building a playhouse together can be a wonderful family project, fostering teamwork and creativity. Choose one with your skill level for a smooth project. A plastic playhouse works for creativity, but building one together is a great way to bond. What a fun project!
Customizable: With DIY plans, you can design a playhouse that suits your yard size and your child’s preferences. Add a front porch, a flower box, house numbers, a climbing wall, a front door, fence pickets, plexiglass windows, or black sconces. You name it, you can do it! Choose a unique color scheme, and even add Christmas lights or a little picnic table for the season!

Tips for Building a Safe Playhouse

Use Non-Toxic Building Materials: Ensure all paint, wood finishes, and adhesives are child-safe and non-toxic. Pressure-treated wood is safe to use.
Secure the Structure: Always double-check that the playhouse is securely anchored to the ground, especially if you’re building an elevated treehouse or playhouse.
Smooth Edges: Sand down any rough edges on wood or metal to avoid splinters or cuts.
Window and Door Safety: Make sure doors and windows open easily and have no sharp edges. Avoid glass and instead use plexiglass or mesh for windows to allow natural light in.
Check for Stability: Ensure the structure is stable and free of any potential tipping hazards.

Final Touches

Once the main structure of your playhouse is complete, it’s time to add finishing touches to make it extra special:

Furniture: Add child-sized tables, chairs, and cushions to create a comfortable play environment.
Decor: Paint the walls with your child’s favorite colors or themes. You could even create a mural to inspire their imagination.
Play Items: Include pretend play items like kitchen sets, dishes, toys, chests, or even a small chalkboard for drawing and writing.

Building a DIY kids playhouse for your kids doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With the right materials and a bit of effort, you can create a fun and safe playhouse that will keep your little ones entertained for hours. These free plans are just the beginning—feel free to get creative and personalize the playhouse to your child’s preferences. Happy building!

Free DIY Playhouse Plans to Build for the Kids

Kids imaginations soar in the outdoors. Build them their own little playhouse and they'll practically live outdoors! These DIY plans are all FREE.

8x8 Little House

Photo Credit: todaysplans.net

This free download of a playhouse plan that builds a cute little 8x8 house is from Georgia Pacific. The free playhouse plan includes a materials list, directions, diagrams, and finishing details.

Playhouse Plans

Photo Credit: howtospecialist.com

Here's a plan for a simple playhouse that looks like a mini home. It's built on a basic foundation and has a pitched roof. The tutorial has a materials list and also many tips along the way to help you out.

Pallet Playhouse

This free plan uses shipping palettes and old wood! It looks like a fun project for cheap. Less than $120!

A Simple Playhouse with a Front Wall Door

Photo Credit: www.ana-white.com

This plan from Ana White is great for beginners. It uses plywood for the walls, making it a quicker project. Plenty of diagrams and photos, materials list and tips, makes it a great project for anyone.

Smaller Pitched Roof Narrow House

This smaller footprint is a great plan for a small backyard. The high pitched roof, green trim, and even.. shingles! makes it unique.

Cute Indoor Playhouse

Photo Credit: jenwoodhouse.com

This one is definitely my favorite. The tongue and groove planks, the open airiness, and the way the bits of colors pop on this cute little house is too much. I'd play in here all day if I was a child. It was designed for the inside, so you may have to make a few adjustments to weather proof it for outdoors.

Handmade Hideaway

Photo Credit: www.thehandmadehome.net

My kids would have a blast in this. The raised platform makes it feel like a fort of some kind or a tree house. The curtains can cause imaginations to run wild! Pirate ship, Army tent, cabin, you name it. Not to even mention the quick getaway witht he slide coming off the side. SO fun!