The project
Thankfully finished this D.I.Y. cubby house project just in time for Christmas. Still needed a few paint touch ups and some accessories added, including the shade sail, but the main structure was up and ready.
Living in Melbourne, I had the major issue of dealing with Mother Nature. I was either drenched or battling the heat. While making my kids another project for Christmas last year, I suffered a ruptured tendon and torn ligaments, so at times I thought that maybe this is a message that I should no longer make my kids things for Christmas.
The cubby measures 2.5m x 1.8m, with a height of 2.7m. Materials used were timber posts, joists, bearers, pallet wood that was in great condition and leftover Merbau from the decking.
I used masonry wall anchors to secure the top decking to the house and concreted the posts for added stability.
We have also added leftover mulch to the play area and currently working on wooden edging to keep it in. I will be installing a shade sail from above the swing set to the end of the playground.
Due to my middle child’s lack of fear, we're also going to put something in front of the drain so roof access is restricted.
How to build a cubby house
Resident Bunnings D.I.Y. expert Mitchell has put together a step-by-step guide to building a fantastic cubby using recycled timber pallets. It has an additional shop and can be built over a few weekends for minimal cost. Follow the guide How to build a pallet cubby.
More cubby house projects
Workshop member Marty built this fantastic cubby from pallet wood without any plans. The cubby inspired Tara's build and there are plenty of other creative cubby projects and tips shared in the discussion.
Workshop member woodalwaysworks described this cubby built for their son as an "open project", changing over time as the kids grow older. The shop and mud kitchen downstairs are "forever changing", a steering wheel and binoculars were later added, a cargo net replaced the climbing wall and space was kept for swings and rope ladders.
You can just imagine how excited Pete’s kids must have been when they received this gorgeous bespoke cubby house for Christmas. It features tongue-and-groove cladding, a custom picket fence and even a planter box. Pete says the girls play in it "rain, hail or shine" and love the external blackboard wall.
More popular kids projects
Find more great projects to build that can keep children happy and entertained for countless hours in our Top 10 most popular kids projects.
