Table of Contents
- 1Introduction and about the wood sizes
- 2Required wood and alternative sizes
- 3Cutting list and hardware requirements
- 4Footprint Plan
- 5Front and rear wall-frame plans
- 6Front elevation plan
- 7Rear elevation plan
- 8Left-side elevation plan
- 9Right-side elevation plan
- 10Floor plan
- 11A pictorial walk through the building process
- 12Let's begin! Instructions step 1
- 13Instructions steps 2 to 4
- 14Instructions steps 5 to 8
- 15Instructions steps 9 to 11
- 16Instructions steps 12 to 13
- 17Counterbalance for the trapdoor
- 18Guide to adding a slide
Counterbalance for the trapdoor
This will help stopThe part of the plywood wall panels that overlaps the door and window frame, and protrudes into the door or window area and covers any gaps between the door/window and the surrounding frame. It acts as a stop for the door and also stops the rain getting in. the trapdoor accidentally falling shut and reducing the possibility of a mishap such as the trapdoor falling on heads or fingers while kids are climbing up the ladder.
The following is in reference to the drawing on the right.
[a] The trapdoor. There are instructions on how to make the trapdoor in “How to build a Kid’s Play Fort” , however, there will need to be an additional piece of 45mm x 45mm (1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″) woodTimber, lumber. The hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees added to the underside of the trapdoor to give the rope something strong to tie around.
[b] The pulley. The pulley must be able to swing freely and be big enough to take the rope. The pulley must be positioned directly above the casingThe trim around a window or door. so the weight will hang verticalPlumb, upright.. The pulley must not have any parts that a kid can dismantle or undo with hands.
[c] The boltA metal rod that has a head on one end and threads on the other and is used to fasten together lumber. The most common bolts used or referred to in projects within this website are coach/carriage bolts and hex bolts.. The bolt goes through the rafterStructural member of a roof that supports the roof load and runs from the ridge to the top of the side walls. above the case and supports the pulley. A number of washers and/or shackle/s may be needed to serve the purpose.
[d] The steel weight. The weight used for this project is a piece of steel 50mm x 50mm x 200mm (2″ x 2″ x 8″) with an eye welded to the top. The weight is about 4 kilo (9lb). Most engineering shops will have a bit of scrap steel lying around that you can generally obtain at a reasonable cost and if you’re willing to pay a bit extra, you should also be able get an eye welded on the top or at very least, a hole drilled through the top. Any shape steel weight will suffice as long as the case is tailor-made to suit the weight.
[e] The rope. The rope must be of a strong and lasting quality. Thread the rope through holes drilled in the trapdoor and around the piece of 45mm x 45mm (1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″) wood underneath, positioned (as shown in the drawings) approximately central lengthwise and about 25mm (1″) in from the edge of the trapdoor on the ladder side. Tie well at both the trapdoor end and the steel weight end and then cover the knots with a PVCPolyvinyl chloride. A common thermoplastic resin, used in a wide variety of manufactured products, including rainwear, pipes, garden hoses, phonograph records, and floor tiles. adhesive tape so kids cannot undo the knots.
[f] The case. The case is the wood structure made to house the weight. When making the case ensure the cavity is larger than the thickness and width of the steel weight. Bolt the case to the wall directly below the pulley.
[g] Top metal strapShort lengths of metal strap 25×1 (1/16×1) used to fix members together to resist uplift.. Screw a metal strap (or similar type bracket) across the top opening of the case so that the steel weight cannot be pulled out. Kids will be kids, you know!
[h] Bottom metal strap. Screw a metal strap (or similar type bracket) across the bottom opening of the case so that the steel weight cannot fallOf roof; Pitch; The incline angle of a roof surface. out should the rope break or knots come undone.
Hi,
Just a query re the childs play fort. I am in the process of building it now, having purchased plans over the weekend.
I notice that the 4×4 beam across the top is only supported by the two roof apex, a3/4 and b3/4 with additional support provided by the plywood.
Just found myself concerned that the structure may not be strong enough to support the beam plus weight of children and was looking for some reassurance.
Has anyone suggested any additional supports for the roof beam, or had any similar concerns?
Many Thanks. Steve
Reply from BuildEazy:
Hi Steve
Thank you for your query and concern.
I have had the play fort project online for over ten years. A lot of plans have been sold and many forts have been made. I even made three or four myself back then. Over that time I have not received a report of any incident.
Cross piece (a4) is bolted to both A-frame members (a4). The front frame is further strengthened by 3/4″ plywood bolted to the above members. The beam sits on top of cross piece (a4). The structure should be more than adequate to support the beam and a child.
Regardless, precautions should be taken. Ensure that the beam is clear (free of any knots).
The fort should be treated as a playground – with rules and supervision.
Regards, Les Kenny
Hi,
Thanks for the awesome plans!
Enjoy the video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIlwnIbfPr4
Best, Omer
Hello, I downloaded your plans a couple of months ago and finally finished the project after a few weekends of work.
I used 2×4’s instead of 2×3’s (lumber yard didn’t have 2×3….maybe a US standard), added a lower floor, added supports for the cheap slide, used cedar for top floor and added some slope to the ladder to make it a little easier for my 4yr old.
Your plans were great – very thorough and easy to follow. Thanks for putting the extra effort into adding the English units, adding detailed drawings and materials lists. My daughter already loves it.
Paul
Hello from Hungary (Budapest),
Dear Buildeazy thank you so much for the plans.
As you can see I made some slight modifications and it needs some painting, but the snow came early so I couldn’t finish the paint job.
The kids love it.
Warm regards, F.S.
Hello from Pennsylvania,
I just completed the Kid’s Play Fort.
The design was exactly what I wanted.
The plans were simple and accurate.
I’m the lady with the jigsaw and my friend has the drill.
My grandson loves his new fort.
If granny and her friend can build it, no one should have any problems.
I did change the roof; used plywood and painted it blue with puffy clouds.
Thank you.
Carol Deaver Langhorne, PA
Hello,
I purchased the kids fort design and built a slightly modified fort last summer. I thought you would be interested in seeing the finished project. I found the plans easy to follow and very helpful.
Kindest Regards, Doug Hubble Ontario, Canada
I purchased the Play Fort plans last year and finally completed the Play Fort. My son, who is 9 years old, loves it. I wanted to include a picture of the finished product. Thank you so much for the plans!
Jim Beers Hellertown, PA
Hi,
I went about building the play fort a bit backwards, we were gifted a slide by a friend who was moving. The slide languished in the side yard for a few months when I finally decided to build something so that my kids could use it.
I bought your plans a bit over a week ago and have spent the last week building the kid’s play fort. I’m a novice and found your plans to be perfectly suited for a beginner.
I made a few alterations, I left out the climbing wall (my kids are 2 and 4, I didn’t thing they’d enjoy this yet), extended the shorter wall to make the fort a square (this required a re-do of the floor plan as well, for which I received some much needed advice from a friend in construction), went with some cheap plywood for the roof, and made stairs rather than the ladder (which makes it easier for my 2-year-old to get up). All-in-all I’d say it turned out pretty great and the kids love it.
Thanks!
Mark Sheen (Phoenix, AZ)
Just completed “Playfort with climbing wall”
Many thanks
James (Christchurch, New Zealand)
Many thanks.
Just wanted to let you know the fort has been built and played with for over a year now, with one or two amendments to the plans:
• Slide and ladder at the front with a small climbing wall up to the trapdoor
• Swing beam added on one side to allow a pulley connected to the front as well.
• With the exception of the roof, 4×2 used in place of 3×2.
But all concerns re structure and strength have been put to rest with four adults having picnics on the fort.
Thanks again
Steve Layzell