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A Backyard Playhouse Is More Than Just a Toy
When we think of childhood, we often recall the simple joy of playing outside—running around the yard, building forts, or imagining distant lands. A backyard playhouse brings those memories to life and creates the perfect environment for your kids to form their own.
But this isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about empowering creativity, supporting independence, and encouraging healthy outdoor play. And in today’s tech-saturated world, that’s more important than ever.
Why Every Child Needs Their Own Outdoor Playhouse
A backyard playhouse offers far more than just a pretty addition to your garden. It becomes a sanctuary—a space where your child can:
Play independently and safely
Host tea parties, secret meetings, or read quietly
Develop their imagination and role-play skills
Enjoy screen-free time outdoors
Learn responsibility by maintaining “their own” space
You might find your yard has suddenly become the neighborhood’s most popular hangout—and that’s a good thing.
Inspiring Playhouse Ideas for Any Yard
At Outdoor Living Today, we believe every child deserves their own space to dream. Whether you have a small yard or a sprawling garden, we offer DIY cedar playhouse kits to match your needs. Made from sustainably harvested Western Red Cedar, our kits are naturally beautiful, resistant to rot and pests, and easy to assemble.
Browse our most popular styles:
Sunflower Playhouse – A whimsical space for creative play.
Cottage Playhouse – Ideal for story time, reading corners, or pretend kitchens.
Clubhouse Playhouse – Perfect for energetic kids who want slides, ladders, and action.
You’ll find no shortage of inspiration in our customer photo gallery, where real families share their custom setups—from pirate ships and treehouse hideouts to flower-covered reading nooks.
Easy to Build, Built to Last
Worried about the complexity? Don’t be. Our kits are panelized for quick assembly, and each one comes with clear instructions and all the necessary hardware. No specialized tools are required.
And because we use durable cedar instead of cheap plastic or treated lumber, you can be sure your playhouse will stand up to the elements—and time.
Want to customize it? Add a coat of paint, hang string lights, install a mailbox, or even build a little garden in front. The possibilities are endless.
Beyond Fun: Developmental Benefits of a Backyard Playhouse
Aside from the joy and fun, there are developmental benefits too. A backyard playhouse can help children:
Improve social skills through group play and sharing
Enhance language skills through storytelling and roleplay
Develop a sense of independence and ownership
Explore emotional expression in a safe and imaginative space
It’s a small investment that pays dividends in your child’s growth.
Build Memories That Last a Lifetime
At the end of the day, what makes a playhouse truly special isn’t the roofline or the windows. It’s the memories your children create inside. The giggles, secrets, imaginative games, and even the quiet moments of reflection.
With Outdoor Living Today, you’re not just buying a structure—you’re building a foundation for creativity, connection, and joy.
Start your family’s next adventure today
Browse our full collection of playhouse kits and create a space your children will cherish for years to come.
Create a Backyard Fort Playhouse That Fuels Your Child’s Imagination
Remember how magical it was to have a secret fort as a kid? That cozy hideout where only you and your closest friends were allowed? Forts spark a sense of adventure, creativity, and freedom—and your child can experience all that and more with a backyard fort playhouse.
Whether you build one from scratch or opt for a ready-to-assemble kit, an outdoor playhouse gives kids their own space to dream, play, and grow.
Why Every Kid Deserves a Fort
Outdoor playhouses offer much more than just fun. They foster:
Imaginative play
Creative thinking
Independent exploration
Social bonding with friends and siblings
From defending a castle to hosting a tea party, the stories kids tell in their forts become the foundation of lifelong memories.
Design Essentials for a Fort Playhouse
Before building or buying your playhouse, consider these key elements:
• Keep It Cozy
Forts should feel snug and secure. A smaller footprint (room for 2-3 kids) creates a better hideout atmosphere. Include a door, a few small windows, and low walls for safety and visibility.
• Decor and Furnishings
Let your child help decorate their new space. Add a DIY flag, soft rug, cozy chair, or storage trunk that doubles as a bench. Glow sticks or battery-powered lights add a warm, mysterious vibe. Make sure everything is durable enough to withstand the elements.
• Hidden Entry Points
Want to up the mystery? Install a secret entrance behind shrubs or trees, or create a crawlspace tunnel with a low door that only kids can access.
Fort Playhouse Materials: What Works Best?
While plastic or vinyl structures exist, wooden playhouses are ideal for outdoor settings. Cedar, especially Western Red Cedar, is the top choice because:
It’s naturally resistant to rot and decay
It smells wonderful and repels pests
It blends beautifully into natural surroundings
You can build your own fort using pallets or timber, or choose a pre-designed playhouse kit from Outdoor Living Today made from high-quality cedar.
DIY Pallet Fort: A Fun Family Project
Want to build it yourself? Here’s a basic plan using wooden pallets:
Lay down 1–2 pallets for the floor (use OSB for a smoother surface)
Stand other pallets vertically to create walls, then screw into the base
Sand down splinters for child safety
Build the roof frame with 2x4s and galvanized panels for waterproofing
Add fun accessories like flags, glow sticks, or toy storage bins
This is a great weekend project for parents and kids to tackle together!
Kits vs. Custom Builds: Which Is Right for You?
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| DIY From Scratch | Custom design, creative bonding experience | Requires tools, skills |
| Professional Build | Perfect fit and pro finish | Expensive |
| Cedar Kit (Best Value) | Easy assembly, comes with all hardware | Less customization |
Our recommendation: choose a cedar kit if you want something fast, sturdy, and child-friendly. Browse our playhouse kits for durable options that ship across North America.
Give the Gift of Adventure
An outdoor fort playhouse is more than just a structure—it’s a space for growth, storytelling, and freedom. Whether they’re hiding from dragons, reading a book in solitude, or dreaming up their next big idea, your child will benefit immensely from having their own space outside.
Add some shrubs around the fort for privacy, or let climbing plants create a natural green curtain. Whatever you do, just make it theirs.
Ready to give your child a magical backyard escape?
Explore Outdoor Living Today’s wooden playhouse kits and let the adventure begin!
