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The piece

What you are building

Playhouse plans PDF to build a modern cedar kids playhouse with a slide and a swing set, from ordinary 4x4, 2x4, 2x6 and 1x6 lumber. If you can put together flat-pack furniture, you can build this: numbered steps with one clear drawing each, a parts list with letters, a cut list and a shopping list for each build. Two builds in one kit: an elevated playhouse with a slide, swings and a climbing wall, and a simple ground-level 8x8 playhouse.

The elevated playhouse: four 4x4 posts, a 5 ft by 5 ft clear deck 5 ft off the ground, and clean horizontal 1x6 slat walls 30 in per panel with a window opening and a dutch-style doorway with a ledge, under a slight shed roof. Solid walls 40 in tall guard every open side, and the only openings are two 24 in doorways. Climb in by a climbing wall with holds, leave by a store-bought 8 ft or 10 ft slide (a deck height to slide length table is included), and swing from an attached A-frame beam with two swings and one trapeze or rings position. An optional sandbox fits under the deck. The playhouse is 5 ft 7 in square at the posts with walls 9 ft 9 in high. The 8x8 version is a simple ground-level playhouse on skids, 8 ft 1 in square, with no swing, built from the same wall panels. About 30 hours of work for two people over two weekends for the elevated build, about 20 hours for the 8x8.

Who these plans are for

First-time builders who can follow flat-pack instructions and want a modern cedar playhouse and swings without the catalog price, with a shopping list for the lumberyard.

How the set works

Pick your build, read the safety and use zone page, check the slide table, then follow the numbered steps with one drawing each, with the cut list and the shopping list for your build, plus finishing, a budget planner and a monthly inspection log.

Sheets inside

Pick your build, Safety and use zone, Slide and swing, How to read the plans, Tools and hardware, then for each build: the finished piece and the parts (with the cut list), one page per numbered step, and the shopping list and hardware. Also Finishing and care, Monthly inspection log, Budget planner and a Quick-reference card.

In the download
  • Materials cost workbook (Excel and Google Sheets)
  • Every sheet as its own printable page (ZIP)
  • Printable plans (PDF)
  • How to open the workbook in Google Sheets (PDF)
Build cost

Price the build before you buy a board

These are the materials lists from the plans themselves, priced at typical US home-center prices. Type your own prices to see your total. Hardware and finishes link to Amazon so you can compare.

MaterialQtyHome-center estimateHardware links
1x6Lumber, 256 ft at about $2.08 per ft 16 boards
2x4Lumber, 252 ft at about $1.20 per ft 21 boards
2x6Lumber, 184 ft at about $1.68 per ft 14 boards
2x6 pressure-treatedLumber, 56 ft at about $1.21 per ft 4 boards
4x4 pressure-treatedLumber, 60 ft at about $2.24 per ft 6 boards
#10 x 3 in exterior structural screws, coated or stainlessFasteners, about $18 per boxes of 100 2 boxes of 100 Find on Amazon
#8 x 2-1/2 in exterior deck screws, coated or stainlessFasteners, about $11 per boxes of 100 2 boxes of 100 Find on Amazon
#8 x 1-1/2 in exterior screws, stainless or coated, trim headFasteners, about $11 per boxes of 100 6 boxes of 100 Find on Amazon
Exterior wood glue, 16 ozFasteners, about $7 per bottle 1 bottle Find on Amazon
3/8 in x 6 in galvanized carriage bolts with nut and two washersBolts, about $1.6 per each 18 each Find on Amazon
3/8 in x 10 in galvanized carriage bolts with nut and two washersBolts, about $1.6 per each 3 each Find on Amazon
3/8 in x 14 in galvanized carriage bolts with nut and two washersBolts, about $1.6 per each 2 each Find on Amazon
3/8 in x 4 in galvanized lag screws with washersBolts, about 12 cents each 27 each Find on Amazon
3/8 in x 3 in carriage bolts with nut and washer, 4 for the beam pliesBolts, about $1.6 per each 6 each Find on Amazon
Post anchors for 4x4 postsHardware, about $8 per each 6 each
Concrete mix, 80 lb bagHardware, about $8 per bag 18 bags
Self-adhesive roll roofing or peel-and-stick membrane, 36 in x 33 ft rollRoof, about $7 per roll 1 roll
Galvanized or aluminum drip edge, 10 ftRoof, about $12 per piece 3 pieces
Galvanized roofing nails, 1 in, or 1/2 in staplesRoof, about $9 per box 1 box
Exterior penetrating oil or semi-transparent stain, cedar tone, child-safe when dryFinish, about $45 per gallon 11 gallons Find on Amazon
Sandpaper, 80 and 120 gritFinish, about $9 per pack 1 pack
Engineered wood fiber mulch or poured-in-place or loose rubber, 9 in deep after settlingSurfacing, about $48 per cu yd 23 cu yd
Landscape fabricSurfacing, about $20 per rolls (100 sq ft) 9 rolls (100 sq ft)
Plastic or metal playground slide, 8 ft or 10 ftBuy 1 each not in estimate Find on Amazon
Swing seats with chains and S-hooks, playground rated, strap or belt seatBuy, about $9 per each 2 each Find on Amazon
Swing hangers, heavy duty, bolt-through, rated for playground useBuy, about $1.6 per each 6 each Find on Amazon
Gymnastic rings or a trapeze bar with chain, playground ratedBuy, about $9 per each 1 each Find on Amazon
Climbing wall holdsBuy, about $1.6 per set of 14 1 set of 14 Find on Amazon
3/8 in T-nutsBuy, about $0.6 per each 14 each Find on Amazon
Clean play sand, 50 lb bagsSandbox 38 bags not in estimate
Landscape fabric, 4 ft wide, with a few drainage holesSandbox 1 piece not in estimate
Estimated materials, playhouse $3,605 Our range: $2,880 to $4,150, not counting 3 items you choose yourself

Estimates are our typical US home-center prices, not Amazon prices; check current prices where you buy. They change with your region and the lumber market. Amazon links are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Tools for this build

What you need, nothing more

Straight from the tools sheet in the The Clubhouse Swing Set plans. One cordless kit covers most of it; pick the tier that suits how often you build.

Start with a cordless kit

The tools the plans call for

Nice to have, and the supplies

Amazon links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Check current prices on Amazon. Lumber and plywood are on the materials list above; buy those locally.

Questions

Before you build

How much does it cost to build the Clubhouse Swing Set?

Our estimate for the materials in the playhouse is about $2,880 to $4,150 at typical home-center prices. Lumber prices vary a lot by region and season, so the plan set includes a workbook where you type your own prices and the total works itself out.

What sizes are included?

This set includes Playhouse and 8x8 Playhouse, each with its own drawings, cut list and materials list.

Do I need advanced woodworking skills?

First-time builders who can follow flat-pack instructions and want a modern cedar playhouse and swings without the catalog price, with a shopping list for the lumberyard.

Are these engineered plans?

No. They are generic DIY plans, not engineered or stamped drawings. Each member is checked against a stated design load, and the design basis is printed in the plans, but you are responsible for safe construction, local codes and safe use.

How do I get the files?

Right after checkout you land on your download page with the PDF, the workbook and a ZIP of every sheet. Stripe also emails your receipt. Bookmark the page to download again later.

What if they are not what I expected?

Write to us within 30 days and we will fix the problem or refund you. See the guarantee page for details.

This is a digital download, no physical item ships. These plans are a guide only and are not certified to any playground standard: build at your own risk and check your local rules, permits and setbacks. Keep a use zone of about 6 ft around the structure and twice the swing height in front and behind the swings. Put soft surfacing (mulch or rubber, 9 to 12 in deep) under the whole play area. Guardrails on the platform must have no gaps between 3-1/2 and 9 in. Anchor the structure, use no ropes that can loop, and supervise children at all times (ages 3 to 10). Inspect all bolts monthly. Swing hangers, seats, rings and the slide are bought parts: use ones rated for playground use. The lumber, hardware, slide, swings and surfacing are not included. Colors can look a little different on your screen and printer. For personal use only; please do not resell or share the files.

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