Home >> Toys >> Backyard Toys

How to Build a Wood Fortification

Wood forts are right up there with tree houses and playgrounds for their appeal with children. Kids like to play all kinds of games that involve hiding, fake fighting, and climbing on, over, up and down in forts. Most do-it-yourselfers can build wood fortifications if they have an average set of tools and some time. It's usually a good idea to acquire a basic fort plan and then embellish it to fit your needs. Plans include tips on safe building so you don't have to worry about the fort after its built and being used.

Things You'll Need

Plans
Chop saw
4 x 4-inch outdoor posts
2 x 4-inch wood studs
Plywood
Tape measure
Landscape spray paint
Wood stakes
Hammer
String
Post hole digger
Portland cement
Level
Stick
Nails
Screws
Screwdriver
Deck lumber

Instructions

- 1
  Acquire a wood fortification plan. These are available for free online; you can also use garden and playground books. Many plans call for 4 x 4-inch posts for all the main structural pieces and outdoor 2 x 4-inch studs for most of the rest of the structure. Since the objective of a fort is to play war-type games, it's a good idea to think of building walls with peek-a-boo windows for spying, etc. Walls can be built over the structural pieces using outdoor plywood.
- 2
  Measure the area where the fort will be built. The size of most forts is determined by available area and cost. Mark the ground using landscape spray paint to indicate the position and size of the fort. Hammer small wood stakes into each post position. Tie string around the stakes to line up your posts.
- 3
  Dig holes with a post hole digger at the location of each post that will be secured into the ground. Typically, you will want to bury one-quarter to one-third the height of the post in the ground. For an 8-foot post you need a 2-foot deep hole. If your land isn't level, posts at the higher grade may use deeper holes if you intend to keep the tops even.
- 4
  Insert your posts into the holes. Mix Portland cement in a bucket with water and pour the mixture into the hole. Poke the cement with a stick to remove any air bubbles. Use a level on all sides of the post to position it correctly. Position and nail scrap lumber on two sides of the post to act as braces to hold the post in position while the cement dries.
- 5
  Measure, cut and screw outdoor 2 x 4-inch studs to the posts. Add studs as joists every 12 to 16 inches to support your fort floor. Studs can be nailed or screwed using outdoor galvanized or treated fasteners. Attach your decking planks across your joists and nail and screw them down. Create stud walls to the height of the posts by attaching 2 x 4-inch studs to the decking.
- 6
  Measure and cut plywood for each side adding windows that your kids think are fun in shape or size. Cut an opening for entry. Nail or screw your plywood to the stud walls. Craft a wood ladder out of scrap 2 x 4-inch stud boards. Secure the treads well and bolt, screw or nail the ladder from the ground to the entry opening.
- 7
  Sand off any rough spots and prime and paint the fort with outdoor paint. Allow the fort to dry completely before allowing kids to play on it.

Backyard Toys