Build a Kids Playhouse from a Shed, Sneak Peek

Here’s a sneak peek at my big DIY Kid’s Playhouse build. With lots of DIY videos and photos to help you Build a Kids Playhouse from a Shed.

Build a Kids Playhouse from a Shed

Hi guys! In my DIY Ridge Cap Shingles tutorial, last week, I mentioned that I’m in the middle of building a new playhouse for my boys.

To get my HOA to approve it quickly, I designed it to look like a shed-sized version of our barn.

So, I’ll be sharing tons of DIY projects about how to build a kids playhouse from a shed. Most of these can be used for just a normal shed or she-shed build too.

For my DIY Kids Playhouse from a Shed, I replaced half of the roof with a fun upper deck area that puts us up in the branches of the Live Oaks around our house.

It feels like a tree house up there. I’m very excited about how this part turned out. But, it is totally optional. In fact, you can always pull just some of the DIY Kids Playhouse ideas from my build to use on your own.

I’ll be breaking most of this build down into small projects to share in DIY videos on YouTube.

Most of my build videos are around 5-minutes. So, I hope that makes it easy for people to watch and understand how to do that DIY project at home.

I can’t wait to start adding all of the fun playhouse elements over the next few weeks. But, first, let me show you some of the progress shots to build a kids playhouse from a shed.

Starting this DIY Shed Playhouse Build

Luckily for me, my parents visited us for Spring Break, this year.

I knew I was about to start building this Playhouse in a Shed, so I showed my Dad the drawings I made to get a few tips.

He’s been in construction for about 45 years and has built quite a few custom homes and other buildings. He’s so smart and creative. I love having him as a source for all of my crazy remodeling and construction projects.

Well, I thought I was just showing him the drawing, but within a couple hours we were at Home Depot buying the lumber we needed to frame out my design.

You can see my a-mazing Dad and some pics of the framing on this IG post.

In just 2 days, thanks to him, we had the framing done! You can see it in that photo below.

I originally thought I’d be framing this shed mostly by myself, with my husband helping with all the lifting.

I can absolutely say it would have taken me a month to do alone what I did with my Dad in just 2 days. Thanks again, Dad!

And, I can also say, he definitely showed me new framing ideas and tips that made the build better than I would have done it too.

You can see a video look at the framing process here, with some of the build tips.

I won’t be sharing a step by step tutorial on how to frame a large shed or playhouse. That’s a little over my head and would be really time consuming.

BUT, I’ll be sharing tons of DIY videos for as many parts of the build as I can. So, hopefully, that will help you build a kids playhouse in a shed too. 🙂

Can I Turn my Shed into a Playhouse??

Yes! If you already have a shed in your backyard that you think would make a great playhouse, then you can absolutely use these tutorials to build a kids playhouse in a shed you already have!

I have DIY’s sharing how to cut and install gable vents into the shed walls, how to build a raised deck, build a 2×4 playhouse ladder, DIY rock climbing walls and more.

To see all of the Playhouse DIY videos, as I add them. Including the finished build a KIDS PLAYHOUSE FROM A SHED REVEAL TOUR, check out my playhouse playlist on YouTube.

1×4 DIY Exterior Trim around the Doors and Windows

A kids playhouse in a shed needs lots of air flow to keep it cool. And, a lot of light to make it a fun place where kids will actually want to play.

Here’s a look at how I trimmed my 2 doors with 1×4 Pressure Treated Lumber. It works the same way on windows too.

I’ll be building Dutch Doors to hang in these doors soon. I’ll share that Dutch Door tutorial in my Build a Kids Playhouse YouTube playlist, as soon as I can.

Installing a Gable Vent on a Shed

Another important way to keep a playhouse in a shed cool for those kiddos is by installing gable vents.

These are great because they keep out the rain while letting in lots of fresh air. And, they’re actually pretty easy to install in shed siding.

This 5-minute video will show you how.

Build a Kids Playhouse – More Progress Photos

Over the next two months, I’ll keep sharing DIY videos and lots of pictures to help you build a kids playhouse from a shed. Here are a few more pictures from the last few weeks to show you more of what I’ve done so far.

When you go to Home Depot or Lowe’s, they almost always have a bunch of shed’s in the parking lot. I have spent a lot of time checking those out in the last few months.

It’s a great way to figure out how they framed something, what materials they used, and to get ideas for trim design on your DIY Kids Playhouse. They use the same siding I used on those sheds.

More Photos of this Build

You can also find the steps for a DIY Small Step Ladder from 2×4‘s here.

That’s it for this sneak peek at how to Build a Kids Playhouse from a Shed. If you love building cool things for your kids. You should check out these builds too.

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This DIY Kids Play Kitchen is super cute and has lots of fun moving parts to keep the kids entertained. Full DIY Steps and Printable build plans available.

And, I made 2 of these beautiful DIY Kids Desk with Storage Drawers for my boys. Full DIY Steps and Printable build plans available on this too. Very handing for all of that unexpected homeschooling we’re all doing lately. 😉

This Super Easy DIY Kids PVC Pipe Play Tent is a fun indoor hangout for your kiddos!

Here’s how to install DIY ridge cap shingles on a shed.

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Thanks for checking out this sneak peek at how to Build a Kids Playhouse from a Shed with a Tree House Deck. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.