Kids cubby house with slide & sandpit

[weekenddiyer]

I loved having a cubby house as a kid growing up.  I wanted my kids to have the same fun with a cubby house as I remember, so decided to make it a little project over a couple of weekends.  I wanted to maintain as much space in the backyard as possible.  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 kids will out grow the cubby eventually and we will remove it).

Posts & Framing

The platform is a four post structure.  I dug footings and used quick setting concrete to hold the posts in place.  I used a combination of bolts and coach screws to secure the pine sleepers to the posts, to create the border for the sandpit and base for the raised platform (depending on whether I had access to thread the nuts given the tight space).

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 the access to the sandpit. I opted for a floating corner and used stronger timbers to compensate for it.

    

The raised platform is actually 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 below.

Finished Cubby

The cubby itself is a flatpack cubby house from Kmart  - there is plenty of inspiration online in terms of how to dress these up.  I used left over paint we had from painting the house and added a ships bell and blue slide from Bunnings, for some extra fun.

It got the kid's seal of approval.  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.

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[Jason]

I can see why the cubby got a big thumbs up from the kids @weekenddiyer. You've done a fantastic job. Well done.

Jason

[MitchellM]

Amazing work!! Looks incredible! 

[Kevdou]

What did you use as the platform floor?

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Kevdou. It's great to have you join us and many thanks for jumping into the conversation.

Let me mention @weekenddiyer so they are alerted to your question.

Are you looking at building a similar raised cubby design?

It would be great to follow along with your project and we'd encourage you to let us know if you need assistance or would like to share it with us. I trust you'll find loads of inspiration within the community as our creative members are contributing their own projects here all the time.

Mitchell

[weekenddiyer]

Hi @Kevdou - I used rough sawn treated pine over the joists.... this one from memory

https://www.bunnings.com.au/150-x-25mm-2-4m-rough-sawn-treated-pine_p0120312?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnb79BRDgA...

[Kevdou]

Thanks @weekenddiyer .

I'm building something similar at the moment and wondered what you recommend for the upper level frame? I have 140/35 treated pine, but wondered if I should go for something stronger for safety?

Also can you tell Me the height to your upper level?

[weekenddiyer]

Hi @Kevdou - here are the dimensions of the timber I used.

Whilst this is more than strong enough for what I was after, I recommend you do your own research in terms of what is safe / structural for what you're building.

Cheers.

[suehi]

Hi looks great. We want to do something similar for our kiddo. We are trying to figure out if our budget would stretch to buy the cubby off the shelf version that’s already raised or do like you have and buy the cubby and build it. Would you be able to share cost to build your platform and decking and slide? Ballpark ☺️. 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @suehi. It's sensational to have you join us, and great to see you've been inspired by this project.

Let me tag @weekenddiyer to see if they can answer your question.

We look forward to hearing all about your projects and plans around the house and garden. Please feel free to reach out anytime you need assistance or have something to share with the community.

Mitchell