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Adding fence pickets, a slide, bell, chalkboard and sandpit turned a flatpack cubby into an impressive playhouse.
The project
I loved having a cubby house as a kid. I wanted my kids to have the same fun memories with a cubby house, so I decided to make it a little project over a couple of weekends.
I wanted to maintain as much space in the backyard as possible as the kids will outgrow the cubby eventually and we will remove it. We had an odd corner between a garden bed and shed so it seemed like a good corner that could be put to better use.
The platform is a four post structure. I dug footings and used quick setting concrete to hold the posts in place. I didn't want to set a post into the lawn if I could help it as it would make it difficult to mow around and would limit access to the sandpit. I opted for a floating corner and used stronger timber to compensate for it.
I used a combination of bolts and coach screws to secure the Pine sleepers to the posts and to create the border for the sandpit and base for the raised platform.
Maximising as much space as possible with an unusual shape.
Platform nearing completion. The raised platform is floating above the garden bed, maximising the platform space to allow room for the cubby house but minimising the impact it would have on the lawn area.
The cubby is a flatpack cubby house. I used paint leftover from painting the house and added a Ship Bell and Blue Slide for some extra fun. It got the seal of approval from the kids. We've set up a play kitchen and blackboard menu in there for them and they've turned it into their own space, hopefully for years of fun to come.
Fence pickets added and a blue slide for a quick escape.
Sandpit area underneath.
Ship bell, blackboard and flowers in planter boxes to dress up the cubby house.
How to build a cubby house
Resident Bunnings D.I.Y. expert Mitchell put together a step-by-step guide to building a fantastic cubby using recycled timber pallets. It has an additional shop and can be built over a few weekends for minimal cost. Follow the guide How to build a pallet cubby.
More popular kids projects
Workshop member Marty built this fantastic cubby from recycled pallet timber and added a steering wheel, telescope, a couple of handles and a rock climbing wall for hours of entertainment.
Pete built this bespoke cubby house featuring tongue-and-groove cladding, a custom picket fence and planter box.
Workshop member Noah built this mud kitchen using Pine, fence palings, a benchtop and accessories, all for under $70.
Find more great projects to build that can keep children happy and entertained for countless hours in our Top 10 most popular kids projects.
