Home Fort Outdoor Playset Plans

Outdoor Playset Plans

by Ovidiu

 

This step by step project is about outdoor playset plans. Building a wooden playset for your backyard is an easy and fun woodworking projects that can be done in a weekend. Moreover, you kids will be able to play for hours under your supervision. Nevertheless, you should pay attention to the safety side of the project. Round the sharp edges and corners, as well as make sure there are no protruding screws.

There are several things that you should take into account when building a backyard playset. As you will see during the project, we recommend you to use quality lumber and to make accurate cuts, using professional tools. In order to keep the costs under control, you could use pressure-treated lumber and decking screws. Align the components at both ends before inserting the screws and always use a spirit level to plumb them or to check if there are horizontal. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

 

 

Projects made from these plans

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Cut & Shopping Lists

  • A – 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 110”, 1 piece – 48 1/2″, 1 piece – 106 1/2″ POSTS
  • B – 4 pieces of 2×8 lumber – 60” FRAME
  • C – 5 pieces of 2×6 lumber – 60″, 12 pieces – 63″ long FLOOR
  • D – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 60″, 36 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 46 1/2″ BALUSTERS
  • E – 2 pieces of 4×4 lumber – 110″, 1 piece of 2×6 – 13 1/2″, 1 piece – 53″ A-FRAME
  • F – 1 piece of 4×4 lumber – 111 1/2″, 2 pieces 2×4 lumber – 60″, 2 pieces – 57″ BEAM
  • G – plastic slide SLIDE  
  • H – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 24″, 1 piece – 60″, 1 piece of fabric ROOF
  • I – 9 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 31 3/4″ long LADDER

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square

 Power mixer, Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One weekend

 

Check out this video tutorial! It’s that simple to build an outdoor playset!

[youtube id=”mzYsOnnYgoo” width=”600″ height=”350″]

 

Building a backyard playset

Building an outdoor playset

Building an outdoor playset

 

Top Tip: Building a backyard playset is one of those woodworking projects that will add value to your property, but it will also put a big smile on the faces of your kids. If you choose the right design for your needs and budget, you can get the job done even by yourself.

 

 

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Outdoor Playset Plans

Building the posts

Building the posts

The first step of the project is to build the main frame of the playset. As you can see in the image, you need to cut the 4×4 posts at several sizes, as in the image. Use a circular saw to get the job done and and the cut edges with medium-grit sandpaper.

Top Tip: You can adjust the width and the height of the playset according to your needs, but you need to plan everything form the very beginning. Work on a level surface when attaching the supports to the posts.

Building the frames

Building the frames

Continue the woodworking project by attaching the frames to the wooden posts. As you can notice in the image, you need to attach 2×8 lumber to the base of the posts, and create a small sandbox.

You can build the floor joists using 2×4 lumber and attach them to the legs, as in the image. Drill pilot holes trough the wooden components before inserting the galvanized screws, to prevent the wood from splitting.

Attaching the floor decking

Attaching the floor decking

Attach the 2×4 or 2×6 decking to the frame, after making sure the joists are horizontal. Cut small notches in the wooden slats, as to fit them around the posts. Drill pilot holes trough the slats and countersink the head of the screws, before inserting the 2 1/2″ galvanized screws into the joists.

Place the slats equally spaced, making sure you least at most 1/4″ between the slats. Smooth the cut edges with medium-grit sandpaper, before locking them into place.

Building the stairs

Building the stairs

The next step of the project is to build the stairs, on one side of the tower. As you can see in the plans, we recommend you to use 1×2 lumber when attaching the components to the 4×4 posts. Drill pilot holes trough the pieces of lumber and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the posts.

Top Tip: Place the steps equally spaced, leaving about 3″ between them. Use a spirit level to make sure the steps are perfectly horizontal.

Attaching the balusters

Attaching the balusters

Continue the woodworking project by attaching 1×4 slats to the sides of the fort. As you can see in the image, you need to align the slats at both ends and to place them equally-spaced.

Top Tip: Place a wood block between the wooden slats, in order to get consistent gaps. Make sure you don’t leave more than 2-3″ between the slats, otherwise the kids could get stuck between the balusters.

Building the a frame

Building the a frame

The next step of the project is to build the A-frame for the swing. As you can see in the image, you need to use 4×4 lumber for the legs and 2×6 lumber for the braces. Cut the ends of the posts at 15º and 75º, if you want to get the job done in a professional manner.

Make sure you work on a level surface and you join the components in a professional manner. Double check the joints and add waterproof glue in order to get rigid joints.

A frame detail

A frame detail

More details regarding the A posts.

Attaching the swing

Attaching the swing

Attach the A-frame into place by securing a 4×4 post to its top and to tower. As you can notice in the image, you need to place a spirit level on top of the beam and lock it to the A-frame and to fort with 5″ galvanized screws.

Top Tip: Work with attention and with great care, making sure you plumb the A-frame with a spirit level.

Building the roof

Building the roof

Continue the woodworking project by attaching the components to the top of the fort, as in the image. Use a spirit level to check if the components are plumb and horizontal. Drill pilot holes trough the components and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the to rails.

Cover the structure with a small piece of fabric, in order to protect the fort from bad weather and extreme sunlight. Choose a color that matches the design of the wooden playset.

Installing the slide

Installing the slide

One of the last steps of the projects is to attach the swing bench and the plastic slide. Make sure the construction is rigid and there are no sharp edges that could injure your kids.

Outdoor playset plans

Outdoor playset plans

Afterwards, you have to fill the gaps and the holes with a good wood putty. Let the compound to dry out properly, before sanding the whole wooden components, along the wood grain, with 120-grit sandpaper.

Top Tip: Apply several coats of wood stain, in order to enhance the look of the diy playset and to protect the lumber from water damage. Build a small patio using traditional materials and set a table with several chairs.

 

 

This woodworking project is about outdoor playset plans. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects. SHARE our projects and follow us on the social networks to help us keep adding free woodworking plans. LIKE us on Facebook to be the first that gets our latest updates and submit pictures with your DIY projects.

 

 

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35 comments

Paul -

Any idea what all the supplies for this project cost?

Reply
Julian -

The prices differ so the easiest way to know that would be to print the materials list and go to a local lumberyard.

Reply
Debbie Quinn -

Could you tell me the final size of this

Reply
Julian -

The final size of what? Please be more explicit so I can help you.

Reply
AJ -

Do you have plans to make a wooden plank type bridge between towers?

Reply
Ovidiu -

No. But I have a few garden bridge plans: http://myoutdoorplans.com/category/bridge/

Reply
Virginia -

I’m very confused as to what the 40 1x4x8s are for? Am I correct in assuming the list is broken up into total wood needed (the bottom list), and then the wood divided into what is needed for each section to be built (the top)? So total I need to order nine 4x4x10s, two 2x8x10s, etc.? Please explain what the fourty 1x4x8s are for. Thank you!!

Reply
Julian -

There was a mistake in the list, you need 20 pieces of 1x4x8 (needed for the rails). The top section of the list is the cut list (how to cut the materials). The bottom section of the list is the materials list (what to buy for the project).

Reply
Kyle -

Most pre-packaged swing sets and swing set plans that I’ve seen call for assembling with a combination of lag screws and carriage bolts, but yours uses only screws. Do you feel the set will be strong enough without assembling the main components with carriage bolts?

Reply
Julian -

You should use your common sense. If you feel the structure is too weak, then feel free to use lag screws, carriage bolts, braces or metal plates. My plans are a starting point and it all depends on who and how it will use the playset.

Reply
Rebecca Saville -

I am in the process of building this, wanting to know the dimensions of the roof tarp

Reply
Jack -

60″x74″ Good luck and let me know how it comes out.

Reply
Rebecca Saville -

I cannot figure out how to cut the A-Frame. do you have more measurements? How far the braces are from the base, or how to cut the angles?

Reply
Jack -

I’ve added one more picture.

Reply
Stacie -

I’m looking to make something based off of your plans. Do the the main beams / posts need to be buried for adequate support? Thanks

Reply
Ovidiu -

Yes, they do need to be buried for optimal support.

Reply
Kelli Etienne -

I plan on making this with a couple of slight variations, this weekend or next. I will try to update with pictures if I can figure out how to do that. Thank you for sharing these plans!

Reply
Jackey -

How did your set turn out? What did you do differently?

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Dustin -

Greetings,

Great plans, thanks so much for sharing!

I’m looking to tackle this project, but have one question about the stairs you mention 2×2’s in the upper part of the description but don’t have 2×2’s in the materials list….if I add 3 8 ft 2×2’s that should complete the lumber list right? I’ll look into adding brackets but as you mention that is all about firming it up. 🙂

Thanks,
Dustin

Reply
Don -

Like your plans for the kids playset. I just need to know where I can purchase a plastic slide. Do you have any idea where I can pick one up?
Thanks,

Don

Reply
Ovidiu -

I have a link in the materials list. This: https://amzn.to/2RBRaby

Reply
david calisterio -

Does this project require the 4×4 posts ti be cemented into the ground?

Reply
Ovidiu -

No, but you could use post anchors and pour footings.

Reply
Wendi -

Is there an easy way to add monkey bars to this design?

Reply
Jenn -

Why is there so much wasted wood? Why not adjust lengths to get the most out of every piece?

Reply
Bob -

The email link didn’t work for me which was a significant bummer.

Reply
Ovidiu -

What email link?

Reply
Carter -

Did I miss something with the A-Frame? I cut the A frame so each of the sides is 110″ long after squaring the top, with a 15 degree cut at the top and 30 degree at the bottom. I ended up with an A-frame that’s way too short. That makes sense to me when I look at the total height required of the A-frame.

Did I miss something?

Reply
Ovidiu -

Yes, you made a few mistakes. Make a 15 degree cut to the bottom of the posts. Make a 75 degree cut to the top (the tip will be 15 degrees after you make the cuts). This will solve the issue.

Reply
Brendan -

Hi I’ve bought detailed picnic bench plans before, do you do the same for this playset?

Reply
Ovidiu -

No premium plans for this yet

Reply
Brendan -

Would you have detailed plans for any other playset?

Reply
Bryan -

How can I print these plans? The site won’t let me print.

Reply
Ovidiu -

Read the blog FAQs

Reply

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