Diy ~~build a Play Area for Your Child
the Play Place is Now Freshly Painted and has a Name: Heston's Hangout
A Most Favorite Place to Play:
Up the slide is as much fun as down the slide!!!
He can get on his swing all by himself now!
Another day of climbing, sliding, and swinging
A play area for your child will be a gift that can grow with your child and will be an activity center for many years.
If you are handy with a hammer and a saw, you will be able to construct this with little or no assistance.
My son-in-law who is in my estimation an amazing carpenter has been erecting this play area for my grandson. It is my birthday gift to him and is being constructed in my yard.
Phew....that's fast!!!
Portable
One really nice feature about this play area is that it can be moved.
Yes, it is possible to move it from one location to another. Taking off the extension where he swing hangs will allow it to be moved.
Of course it is not recommended that it be moved often but if a move is made this child's wonderful play place can come along.
The best laid plans
Often we find that when a project is begun, unexpected factors intervene that cause completion of it to be delayed. Such has been the case with this play area. A number of things have happened that caused work on this fun area for my grandson to stop for a time. But that has not kept him from playing on it.
The most recent stoppage has been that I moved. O, yes. Let's get the play area well under way and then decide to move---doesn't that sound like a good idea??
Before I decided to move, consideration of the play area did occur. After conferring with my son-in-law and daughter, the decision was made to go ahead with the move. My son-in-law assured me it could be moved and I had no doubt that he would find a way.
After I had completely moved into this new-to-me home, a day was chosen to move the play area.
Pressure treated wood
Table saw at the Ready
Slide Awaiting its Place on the Play Place
Son-in-law Preparing to Assemble
Structure Beginning to Form
This Saw was Essential
Measuring and cutting Precisely is Crucial
It is Taking Shape
More Pieces are Coming Together
Together the Project Continues to Evolve
Teamwork!!
"Is This the Missing Piece?"
The Floor to the Play House Area is Coming Together
Now the Play House Area is Beginning to Really Take Shape
It is Now Becoming a Very Inviting Place
My grandson HAD to try it out today...what fun.
"My swing, Nini."
Is making DIY projects for your family something you feel comfortable doing?
Moving day for the play area
After having been moved in to the new-to-me house for two weeks, it was time for the play area to be moved. The really good news is that it only had to be moved from one yard to the next as I was moving next door.
My son-in-law detached the arm that held the two swings. Then the remainder of the structure was loaded onto my fabulous little wagon that my sister bought for me. If you do not have one, and, you need to haul things around your yard, this is an awesome one to have.
The fence that was adjoining the two yards is a chain link fence in part, so it was detached from the privacy fence so that the play area could be hauled through. Unfortunately I was busy with details inside of the house and playing with my baby grandson and never got pictures taken of this part of the project.
Now, in my new yard, stands the play area all put back together again. The remainder of the work on it will continue as time permits. Since I have moved there have been so many other projects that have occurred that more creating on the play area will come as we can squeeze it in to our schedule.
A Few Years Later: Little Man Enjoys it Even More, I Believe
What is needed
- Materials
- 1 box of 5 inch screws
- 1 box of 3 inch screws
- 2--6 inch lag bolts
- The following woods are all pressure treated...
- 45--1x4x10
- 45--2x4x10
- 3--4x4x8
- 2--2x6x12
- 1 sheet of plywood for chalkboard
- slide, steering wheel, telescope, swings
- Tools:
- drill
- miter saw
- sander
- chalkboard paint
Organized and Ready
My trusty little blue hawk wagon
A work in progress
Much of the play area is now complete. A few finishing touches will appear as we have time to add them. But for now, it is finished.
It is already a source of great enjoyment for my grandson. He races up the stairs, looks at something interesting through the telescope, and races down the slide only to do it all over again.
This will be a fun place for him for many years.
The photos of the most recent work are shown below.
Finishing touches are just completed on the roof
Working together
Slow and Steady Gets the Job Done
Securing Extra Support
This Work in Progress is Nearing Completion
Checking and Re-Checking
This is a Wrap!!
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2013 Patricia Scott
Comments
AUTHORHi Deborah This gives endless opportunities for fun...from playing in the playhouse at the top, riding down the slide, to swinging and to playing in the open area under the playhouse. I am so glad we have it.
thank you for visiting. Once again Angels are headed your way ps
How wonderful! I think any child would be thrilled with having their own hang-out like this!
- AUTHOR
Hi Peggy
This play place is one of the best things that I could have gotten my grandson. He comes to visit me on the weekends and that is the first place he heads to.
I have recently given it a coat of paint....and christened it with a name. I will have to add photos of it....Hoping all is well with you in Texas.
Thank you for visiting Peggy
Angels blessings and many hugs are headed your way ps
Hi Patricia,
What a fantastic play area for your grandson to have right in your own yard. Looks like he has lots of space to run around and I am sure he will have loads of fun with that fort as he gets older and has friends joining him. Looks sturdy and well built! Blessings to you and your entire family! Up votes and sharing.
- AUTHOR
Hi Tirralan...
What an amazing name..
It is one of the best investments I have ever made to date. My grandson loves it and finds new ways to enjoy it as he grows and is more able to do things on his own. When it was first put together, he needed help getting in his swing. Now 'big boy' can get on by himself!!
It is still a work in progress as there have been so many other projects in my new to me home. like painting and hanging a new door, removing old carpet, installing fans, installing quarter round, putting up a new shed, moving an old shed over, and on and on...Hopefully the swing will be put together maybe next month. It has been beastly hot and I really did not want them working in this heat. Anyway that is probably TMI, but it is a wonderful area for the baby. Love it.
Glad you stopped by..and no, I could not have built it but I know many who are able to put these projects together so that is why I shared.
Have a lovely Monday
Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
pstraubie48, I am not a handy person at all, but I had to see the amazing play area for kids that your son-in-law built. This is something my boys would definitely love. Too bad my hubby and I aren't that handy. I guess we'll have to settle for the Toys R Us version. LOL.
- AUTHOR
Hi Glimmer Twin Fan
Me, too---so glad it was able to be moved. My grandson has so much fun playing on it that it would have been so sad for him not to have it. And the really cruel thing was it would have been in view all of the time. Luckily it is happily perched in our yard now. I imagine it was a bummer to have to leave behind something you had made for little ones.
Thanks for visiting...Angels are on the way to you this evening. ps
Nice playset and I'm glad you could move it. When my daughter was much younger we lived about 6 hours away. We had assembled her playset in our backyard and I remember how sad she was when we could not move it to our new home. I was bummed too because we had put a lot of work into it.
- AUTHOR
Yes, knowing my son in law is making it assures me it is sturdy and well built.
Haha oh yeah, it's going to be far from inexpensive with the costs of wood.... but it'll not rival the price of a prebuilt set I would think. In any case, parents are MUCH MUCH more likely to build something sturdy and safe for their kids versus a company. So no matter what it's probably the best route :) The chalk board idea was awesome!!!! I like that!!!
- AUTHOR
Hi DDE'
Writing this hub was a joy for me as my family is making it for my baby grandson. It is still a work in progress and we have so many projects with the 'new to me' house I moved into that our time is stretched thin. But the baby can play on it and he loves it.
Thanks for visiting again. Angels are on the way ps
- AUTHOR
Hi DDE'
Writing this hub was a joy for me as my family is making it for my baby grandson. It is still a work in progress and we have so many projects with the 'new to me' house I moved into that our time is stretched thin. But the baby can play on it and he loves it.
Thanks for visiting again. Angels are on the way ps
A well explained Hub on DIY Build A Play Area for Your Child This Summer, step by step process is quite clear and to the point
- AUTHOR
Hi
It is a great little play place for my grandson. He goes up and down up and down and then he wants to swing. It is not finished yet but he will be able to draw on the chalkboard when that is done too.
The great thing about it is that you can customize it as you mentioned. Make it your own. Now it really is not inexpensive; I do not want to mislead anyone in that respect but it is well built so that is the important thing.
Angels are on the way to you :) ps
- AUTHOR
Hi
It is a great little play place for my grandson. He goes up and down up and down and then he wants to swing. It is not finished yet but he will be able to draw on the chalkboard when that is done too.
The great thing about it is that you can customize it as you mentioned. Make it your own. Now it really is not inexpensive; I do not want to mislead anyone in that respect but it is well built so that is the important thing.
Angels are on the way to you :) ps
Not only is it a great way to keep the kids active AND fine tune craftsmanship, but it's also a cheaper way of getting a playset. And it's 100% customizable unlike prebuilt ones. I'd love to build one one day WITH a rock wall!!!! And a ball pit!
- AUTHOR
Hi Pamela
My son-ijn-law makes woodworking of any type seem simple. For those who are handy like he is I am sure it is a project that could be completed in a timely fashion.
Baby Heston is enjoying it so much already
Great to see you this morning,. Many Angels are on the way ps :)
Patricia, What great instructions and it really didn't look all they difficult to build a great place for children to play. I loved all the pictures amd I think this is a great summer project. Blessings.
- AUTHOR
Thank you, drbj...he is a doll. He stole my heart away again My eldest grandson had done the same and still has it too.
This is a lovely activity center for him; we are so lucky.
Have a lovely evening...Angels are on the way ps
Nice easy-to-understand instructions, Patricia, for building a clever play-area project. And your wonderful photos illustrate each step along the way for those who may be project-building-challenged. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge.
Your grandson is adorable.
- AUTHOR
Hi ladydeonne
Don't you love those little red wagons? I have a tiny tiny one that my grandson plays with in the house.
My blue hawk on the other hand I use to haul many things and to take him for a ride around the property.
Your pups would love a pla7 area for sure. Thanks so much for visiting. Angels are on the way ps
- AUTHOR
Hi ladydeonne
Don't you love those little red wagons? I have a tiny tiny one that my grandson plays with in the house.
My blue hawk on the other hand I use to haul many things and to take him for a ride around the property.
Your pups would love a pla7 area for sure. Thanks so much for visiting. Angels are on the way ps
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this hub. Your enthusiasm is infectious. When I read the part about you using a wagon to haul your things around on, I, being the total right brained person that I am made a note to myself to have my daughter buy me a little red wagon like my brothers used to have when we were growing up. In fact I saw a Flyer wagon a hardware store window just last week. I told myself that I would haul my weeds and cut bushes in it. What fun! When I saw your picture of a Hawk wagon, I was disappointed but also happy to have learned something new. Your instructions were simple to read I believe I can build a play area in my back yard for my doggies. You and your grandson will long treasure these special moments and things you share together.
You both are so blessed! Voted up and shared.
- AUTHOR
Hi Billy
How is all in Washington this a.m.? I am truthfully so glad the play area has been moved; that really was a bit of a concern for me but I should have known that my family had it all covered. My yard now is like two and a half times larger than the one shown in the earliest pictures. It is a 'what was I thinking' kind of moment as we have a lot of rain....a good thing...but the grass, she does grow!!! Happy me, though, for sure. And happy happy that baby boy has a place to have fun right here at home.
Lovely seeing you this morning...have a wonderful weekend, my Friend. Angels are on the way ps :)
- AUTHOR
Hi Sharkeye Thanks for stopping by. It is a fun place for the little one and we get much pleasure out of watching him explore and discover. The yellow chains are a snappy little addition (purchased at Lowe's). Angels are on the way to you today ps
- AUTHOR
Hi Sweet Faith
You know we have a park nearby that I do take my little grandson to but he visits me often and I like to have something special right here for him to do. He does so also like to make root cake/it is a toss up between the play area and the root cake adventures. But you know what?? The little ones are happy with whatever we provide for them; that is the good news...So glad to see you again...I have tried to visit but just have been swamped moving into my new-to-me house. I will have to write about the adventure.
Hugs and blessings and an abundance of Angels are on the way...have a lovely weekend. ps :)
- AUTHOR
Hi Sweet Faith
You know we have a park nearby that I do take my little grandson to but he visits me often and I like to have something special right here for him to do. He does so also like to make root cake/it is a toss up between the play area and the root cake adventures. But you know what?? The little ones are happy with whatever we provide for them; that is the good news...So glad to see you again...I have tried to visit but just have been swamped moving into my new-to-me house. I will have to write about the adventure.
Hugs and blessings and an abundance of Angels are on the way...have a lovely weekend. ps :)
That is really awesome. I love the yellow chain. You guys are doing great work!
Sounds to me as though you have a very handy son-in-law. You also have a very large backyard.
Nice DIY pictures, PS, and I have no doubt many hours of fun will be had on the newly-constructed play area.
blessings and a hug winging your way
bill
Hi Dearest PS,
What a great detailed hub here full of fabulous photos too!
I remember when my son was three and we built him one almost identical to this one here in your hub. We thought, well, he will only play on it for a short time, but do you know that he played on it until he was just too grown to play on it. : )
Now, we are thinking we need one at our house for our grands, but we do have a lovely little park close to the house with everything already there. So, we will think about it more.
God bless you sweet friend.
Sending Angels your way with a lot of hugs and love, Faith Reaper
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