11 Awesome DIY Playsets for Kids of All Ages

Rachel BroughamUpdated: Mar. 01, 2023

From swings and tree forts to sandboxes and teeter totters, play structures encourage creativity and imaginative play. Here are 12 awesome DIY playsets that would be fun for kids of all ages. Note: When building any play structure, safety should always be top of mind.

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No Tree Treehouse

Don’t have a tree? No problem! This freestanding treehouse is built among the trees on a triangular framework. It features a small deck, house and even a lookout tower.

Photo: Courtesy of The Classic Archives

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Airplane Swing

This airplane swing will have your kids soaring. When hanging a swing, make sure the area is clear from low hanging branches that could pose a hazard. This is one DIY outdoor play set ready for takeoff.

Photo: Courtesy of Ana White

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PVC Fort

Build your own play set with the excess PVC pipe you have stored down in the basement. Use the PVC pipe to build a fort you can use inside and out. Instead of making custom curtains for the fort, you could just use old sheets and blankets to build your own play set.

Photo: Courtesy of Indigo Amethyst

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DIY Tree Swing

It doesn’t take much to build this DIY tree swing. Use some heavy-duty rope, two carabiners and a board (the swing seat shown here is a 24 inch board). Make your DIY tree swing extra safe with these five knots to know.

Photo: Courtesy of Kimberly Mungle

Here’s everything you need to know about tree swings.

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Rock Climbing Wall

Keep your children active during the winter months with an indoor rock climbing wall. For instructions on how to build this DIY play set, visit indoorclimbing.com.

Photo: Courtesy of The Recreationalist

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Play Deck and Covered Sandbox

This play deck features a covered sandbox and is built under a tree to offer some shade. The deck has enough space for patio chairs and a small table.

Photo: Courtesy of The Charming Farmer

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Tent

This DIY tent would make a great reading nook for kids and adults. This DIYer used her sewing skills to create some special curtains to complete the Bohemian look.

Photo: Courtesy of Taylormade Creates

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Teeter Totter

Here’s a teeter totter that uses a recycled tire as the base. For the complete DIY play set plans including photos, visit teediddlydee.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Tee Diddly Dee

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Home Playground Makeover

This mom wanted her kids to get a couple more years’ worth of use out of their DIY outdoor play set so she gave it a makeover. After some sanding, painting and reworking, the DIY outdoor play set is like new again.

Photo: Courtesy of 100 Things 2 Do

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Obstacle Course

Kids of all ages would enjoy this backyard obstacle course. The rolling wheel for balance, a teeter totter and balance beams will keep kids busy for hours.

Photo: Courtesy of Why Amy Smiles

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Playhouse Frame

This simple playhouse frame is inexpensive and can be decorated by your child. This model is 54 inches wide and offers hours of fun to help elevate those winter or rainy day doldrums.

Photo: Courtesy of Ana White

Originally Published: April 08, 2020

Rachel Brougham

Rachel Brougham lived through a major home renovation in 2019, knows the ups and downs of home improvement, and loves sharing tips with readers. A veteran journalist of both print and television, she’s won several awards for her writing and has covered everything from the environment and education to health care, politics and food. She’s written for several publications beyond newspapers including Bob Vila, Taste of Home and Minnesota Parent, and she currently writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column. Her memoir, Widowland, about the sudden loss of her husband, was published in 2022. She specializes in everything from home decor and design to lawn and garden, product reviews and pet care. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her tending to her garden (both vegetables and native plants), playing with her dog, watching sports with her family or getting some exercise. A native of Michigan, she currently lives in Minneapolis. An avid user of Instagram, you can follow her @RachBrougham.