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October 6, 2015
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!
