D.I.Y. cubby houses

I'm sure the boys are very excited @Yorky88. Great work and thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing the finished result.

Jason

woodalwaysworks

Hey York When i built Our Cubby in the Summer i left it an 'Open' project.
Finished, but still with room to expand and and always be changed as Hugh my eldest was always changing and reaching different demands. Our most recent additions have been a steering wheel and binoculars. I have still left room for more swings and rope ladders as he gets bigger. The shop kitchen and mud kitchen downstairs are forever changing (he does that)

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3421#Comment_3421

@woodalwaysworks That looks awesome mate. Yeah I have full intentions to make it so it's completely adaptable and able to grow and expand it as my boys grow up. I really like what you have done though looks very cool.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63961#Comment_63961

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63961#Comment_63961

Hey @Yorky88,

Many thanks for sharing a finished shot of the cubby house on the gallery. I'll also add it below so members who were following this thread won't miss it.

Great work!

Jason

Kermit

No plans! Wow, awesome work @Yorky88.

What advice can you give to us mere mortals for working with pallets? I'm thinking of getting started with some planter boxes.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3482#Comment_3482

Hey @Kermit thanks for the comments hey. Haha I'm just a mere mortal also I just love the challenge that comes with not having any plans to work off and I guess I like to be able to create my own plans too. I like being able to do something original rather than straight out of the mold if you know what I mean.

My my advice would be to just give it a crack hey. Planter boxes are are fairly simple build and a great place to start. It's exactly how I started. If you need any plans or further advice either leave me another comment or send me a private message. I'd be happy to chat with you a bit more.

Look forward to seeing your planter boxes in the gallery.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63980#Comment_63980

Now it's been a couple of weeks since you finished @Yorky88, how are the boys enjoying the cubby house?

Anything you learned or would have done differently that you can share?

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94537#Comment_94537

Hey everyone. Yeah @Jason My boys absolutely love it they are playing in it every chance they get. I have added a few extra little bits and pieces to it just to make it that little bit more fun such as steering wheel a couple of handles and a rock climbing wall all of which I picked up for free which is even better and I also have a telescope that I am yet to attach.

This was a really fun build and I'm sure I'll continue to add things to it as I go.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113694#Comment_113694

Here are some recent pics

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113694#Comment_113694

Fantastic @Yorky88, thanks for the update. Glad to see they are enjoying it, and looking forward to seeing what you come up with next.

Jason

Thought I'd share the one I made for my girls for Xmas 2016. They play in it rain hail or shine and live the external blackboard wall.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3555#Comment_3555

Hoping the girls still want one for the new house (due Dec 2018ish) so I can start over and make it more of a practical, obstacle style one.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64010#Comment_64010

@ProjectPete

Can't wait to see what a "practical, obstacle-style" cubby house is!

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94550#Comment_94550

Think miniature ninja warrior @Jason 😉

MartyH

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113696#Comment_113696

Some inspiration here @ProjectPete!

http://www.ninjawarrior.info/buy-obstacles.html

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124467#Comment_124467

Spot on @MartyH haha

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124464#Comment_124464

Have you made any other additions to the cubby @Yorky88?

There's been a lot of interest in your post - obviously at this time of year, a lot of parents are considering buying or building a new cubby house as a Christmas present for their kids.

Jason

Tara86

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124464#Comment_124464

@Yorky88 @ProjectPete Wow you guys have done an amazing job!! If it’s okay am I able to pick your brains?
We found one online that was perfect but dimensions way to small. My eldest is 9 and really tall but also need to consider heights and features safe enough for my 3 year old.

I’m planning on re-using the swings, slide and basketball hoop from their current swing set. Will have a cubby on the top level.

My biggest question is stability. Any advice on which wood to use for the posts? Or if there is particular calculations we need to be mindful off so the weight is balanced (I’m assuming it’s similar to what we used when we made our deck)? Did you use batten screws or bolts for joining the major structural pieces?
Sorry for all the questions, appreciate any advice we can get ☺️

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131850#Comment_131850

Sorry to see you haven't got a response from @Yorky88 or @ProjectPete as yet @Tara86. Let me also tag @woodalwaysworks, @LePallet and @MitchellM for you, who also might be able to assist with your question about what wood to use.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131850#Comment_131850

Hi @Tara86 so sorry for the late response, work has been crazy busy lately. I built my boys cubby house completely from heat treated pallet pine. I just used 60mm, 50mm decking screws and 70mm galvanised buggle head screws where necassary. I guess it really comes down to personal preference at the end of day as to what hardware you prefer to use both have their pro's and cons it realy comes down to how much you want to spend on hardware and what you prefer to work with.

As far as timber goes I would suggest that you use a hardwood being that it will be outside or you could use a treated pine however you have to be very careful using chemically treated timber in kids play equipment. its not reccomended for health reasons.

As far as design goes depending on what you already have in place I would Customise it/ build it to suit your requiements.

Anything else i can help with please dont hesitate to ask and ill do my best to get back to you sooner than least time haha

Tara86

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136224#Comment_136224

@Yorky88 no need to apologies I completely understand. It’s amazing how quickly time gets away when we’re busy!!

Ha ha we use the exact same screws too. So happy to know they are efficient as I was worried being an elevated cubby house you’d need something more commercial grade.

Also thanks for the tip about chemically treated timber. My middle child would most likely have an effect from it. I’ve heard about it but it didn’t even cross my mind!!

So far I’ve drawn up a design and broken it down into steps. Then working on what options would best suit my dimensions etc. I’m planning on using 100 x 100 hardwood posts and hardwood sleepers to join them as well as act as side supports for the deck. Then the same timber as our deck for joist and bearers.

Thanks for your help and advice. Helps me narrow down which types I need and what not to use. Really appreciate it 👍🏼

MitchellM

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136224#Comment_136224

@Yorky88 G'day, sorry about my delay in replying, but I tend to spend more time at work than at home.

You asked for our projects and here is what I have been working at. 8 pallets saved from landfill, I am actually fairly happy at what I have achieved, this is my first time trying a larger project with pallets.

Feel free to give any advice etc.

Mikezoom61

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139196#Comment_139196

Newbie here and first post/first cubby house build sohappy to take advice/criticism...

Really enjoying this thread and everyones progress builds so here is mine. A couple of points first though...

* Yes I have used some treated pine materials

* Probably way too many screws on some of the pallet fencing

* The ladder is taken away and will not be fixed until the rest of the railings are in place

Apart from that take a look and happy for any advice as to roofing & support. There will be a slide added to the right side which looks higher than it is (1.3m) and maybe later some other additions.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141195#Comment_141195

Great work @Mikezoom61! Many thanks for sharing. Looking forward to seeing how the cubby progresses. Let me tag a few of our members like @Yorky88, @LePallet, @MitchellM and @ProjectPete for you who might like to share some advice about roofing and support.

Feel free to post anytime you need a hand or have something to share. We're looking forward to reading more about your projects and plans. And please let me know if you ever need help getting the most from the site or have any feedback about how we can make Workshop even more useful to you.

Jason

Alisha81

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94525#Comment_94525

@Yorky88 Did u have to cement it in the ground

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141195#Comment_141195

Check out this amazing cubby house by Queensland mum Eleesha Quinn.

There's a story about the build at news.com.au. Eleesha modified the STILLA Hideout Tower Cubby House.

If you've got a cubby house you've built recently, we'd love to see it. And do let us know if we can provide a hand with your cubby house design.

Jason

Dani1

Great design!!! I was wondering what height is the first level from off the ground. Want to build a cubby house over an exisiting sand pit.