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Outdoors > More outdoor > How to Install a Backyard Play Structure

Learn how to assemble a kit and add other accessories to a backyard play set.

The homeowners in this project already have a backyard playground for their child that has a pea gravel safe play surface. To expand the play area, they bought lumber, a tube slide, and a kit with accessories for an additional backyard play structure. The two-story wooden framework requires construction and installation of the accessories.

Step by Step Instructions with Video

Step
1

Use Saw Horses to Set Up a Work Area Near the Play Site

Set up a work area, possibly in your back yard near the project area. Provide saw horses to support the lengths of lumber you will cut for the play structure and extension cords of the correct length and rating for your power tools. Be sure to use safety glasses to protect your eyes when using power tools and a face mask to filter out saw dust from the air you breathe.

Step
2

Open the Kit and Sort the Hardware Components for an Inventory

Open the kit and sort all hardware, placing like kinds together and doing an inventory to ensure that you have all the pieces.

Step
3

Put Small Parts Such as Washers and Nuts into a Muffin Tin

Use a muffin tin or similar container to separate small parts such as washers and nuts, etc. so that you can immediately find the piece for which you are looking.

Step
4

Read the Kit's Cut List or Make Your Own

Read the provided cut list which lists the lengths and dimensions of lumber which you will need to cut. If the kit does not provide one, read through the instructions and make your own cut list.

Step
5

Mark Measurements on the Lumber with a Tape Measure and Pencil

Mark required measurements on the pieces of wood using a tape measure and pencil.

Step
6

Extend the Measurement into a Cut Line with a Speed Square

Extend the measurement in a perfectly straight line across the face of the wood with a combination square/speed square.

Step
7

Make the Straight Cuts with a Circular Saw

Use a circular saw to make the straight cuts marked. Running the foot of the circular saw along the speed square assures a straight cut.

Step
8

Cut All the Lumber and Sort the Pieces into Piles by Size

Cut all the lengths of lumber in the same way. Sort out like sizes into piles so that you can immediately find the size that you need.

Step
9

Snap Chalk Lines onto Your Patio or Driveway for a Life-Sized Layout

Snap chalk lines on your driveway or patio to create a full-sized assembly plan. We will begin by putting together two nearly-identical frames that make up the front and back of the play structure, so we will start with a life-sized layout for one of these assemblies to see the location for each piece of lumber.

Step
10

Layout Components for the Front Or Back of the Play Set

Layout three four-by-four posts and the cross braces along your chalk lines for the front or back. You will construct these frames one at a time, but you will need two.

Step
11

Pre-drill Holes and Drive in Stainless Steel Screws to Secure the Framework

Temporarily attach the framework pieces together by pre-drilling pilot holes and then driving in four stainless steel screws into each lapping joint on the braces and posts.

Step
12

Turn the Assembly Over and Add a Brace

Flip the structure over and add an additional brace to the other side.

Step
13

Thread a Washer on a Carriage Bolt and Hammer It Through the Joints

Thread a washer on a carriage bolt, hammer it into the hole, and then tighten the nut on the back with a ratchet to secure each brace.

Step
14

Stand the Front and Back Assemblies in Upright Position

Stand the two completed frames in an upright position prior to continuing with the assembly.

Step
15

Use a Bar Level to Ensure They Are Vertical

Ensure that each frame is vertical/plumb by laying a bar level along the four-by-four posts and centering the bubble.

Step
16

Clamp the Frames to Temporary Braces Screwed to Stakes in the Ground

Clamp the plumb frame to temporary angled braces screwed to stakes driven into the ground.

Step
17

Join the Frames with Two-by-six Lumber at the Bases

Join the bottoms of the frames together with lengths of two-by-six lumber, spanning from the outer face of a corner four-by-four post in one frame to its corresponding corner post on the other frame.

Step
18

Pre-drill Holes and Attach the Two-by-sixes with Screws, Carriage Bolts, Washers and Nuts

Pre-drill holes and attach the two-by-sixes with stainless steel screws, carriage bolts, washers, and nuts as you did for the earlier braces.

Step
19

Step Title

Add another pair of two-by-sixes at the top of the frames, and still another pair across the middle at the level of the play structure's second story floor. Secure each two-by-six in the same way to the edges of the four-by-four posts.

Step
20

Add Another Pair of Two-by-six Braces as Floor Joists in the Middle of the Frames

Install another pair of two-by-sixes as joists that run across the middle of the frames at second story floor level. Drive screws through the middle brace on each frame into the ends of each joist. These will support a deck that you will construct in a later step.

Step
21

Drive Heavy Stakes to Stabilize the Assembly and Prevent It from Tipping

Drive in heavy stakes against the inside of the bottom braces to stabilize the assembly and eliminate the danger of the play set tipping. Use a sledge hammer to drive them. Install two stakes on each side of the structure's base.

Step
22

Step Title

Secure the stakes and braces by screwing them together with 3-inch screws.

Step
23

Positon and Attach the First Deck Plank

Install the first piece of decking at the edge of the structure, attaching the deck plank across all four joists using galvanized deck screws and a power driver.

Step
24

Space and Attach the Remaining Planks with a 1/8-Inch gap

Space the next plank about 1/8-inch away from the first by inserting a carpenter's pencil temporarily between the boards as a gauge. Remove the pencil and secure the plank. Use this process on all the planks to complete the deck. The gaps will let water drain away and small debris fall to the ground.

Step
25

Install Planks for Walls/Siding and Secure Them with Galvanized Screws

Install the walls/siding. Secure them by driving in galvanized screws with a power driver. Use wood clamps to temporarily hold several pieces of siding in place to free your hands while you drive in the screws. This step completes the structure, decking, and walls.

Step
26

Attach a Landing Frame for the Pirate's Ladder Accessory

Attach a small wooden frame at ground level as the landing for the pirate's ladder accessory that came with the kit.

Step
27

Attach the Pirate's Ladder with Eye Bolts and Nuts

Attach the pirate's ladder, itself, to the top railing with a couple of eye bolts inserted through the width of the upper horizontal brace and then secured with nuts.

Step
28

Secure the Bottom of the Rope Ladder and Staple It to the Bottom of the Frame

Secure the bottom of the rope ladder. Do so by threading it through holes in the bottom braces, stapling it, and then doubling the rope back on itself before hammering in a second heavy staple to attach it to the bottom of the frame. The tension on the rope should be tight to limit the amount of movement on the ladder as your child climbs.

Step
29

Fill the Landing and Cover the Frame with Pea Gravel

Fill in the landing under the ladder and cover the frame with pea gravel.

Step
30

Attach the Climbing Rope with an Eye Bolt and Nut

Attach the second accessory, the climbing rope, to the upper portion of the structure with an eye bolt and nut in the same manner as the pirate's ladder. Tighten the nut with a ratchet. Test the rope to ensure that it will hold an adult's weight.

Step
31

Clamp Two-by-fours Together as Ladder Legs and Drill Holes for Rungs

Clamp 2 two-by-fours together with their edges flush while you drill holes simultaneously through both sides for ladder rungs. Drilling the rung holes at the same time ensures that they will be perfectly aligned on both legs of the ladder.

Step
32

Insert 1 1/8-Inch Dowels as Rungs

Insert the rungs, short pieces of 1 1/8-inch dowel, through the pairs of holes in the ladder legs.

Step
33

Use a Mallet to Tap Them Flush with the Sides of the Ladder

Tap them with a mallet until the ends are flush with the sides of the ladder.

Step
34

Drive Screws Through the Ladder's Legs to Secure the Rungs

Secure the rungs by driving screws through the edge of the ladder's legs into the dowels.

Step
35

Attach the Ladder to the Play Set at the Four-by-four Posts

Lean the ladder against the second story floor of the play set and then attach the ladder to the play set by driving screws through the ladder legs into the four-by-four posts.

Step
36

Assemble the Tube Slide Accessory

Assemble the tube slide purchased as an accessory to the play set. Stand it upright against the structure.

Step
37

Position the Bottom of the Tube Slide in Pea Gravel

Position the bottom section in the bed of pea gravel.

Step
38

Bolt the Slide to the Play Set

Bolt the upper end of the slide to the main frame of the play set. The top of the slide has a rectilinear flange that will seal the opening at the top side once installed.

Step
39

Add the Ridge Beam

Add the ridge beam to support the roof which is actually an awning that came with the kit.

Step
40

Drape the Awning Over the Beam

Drape the awning over the beam.

Step
41

Secure It with Screws and Fender Washers to Prevent Tears

Attach the awning with screws and fender washers to prevent the awning from tearing.

Step
42

Test the Slide's Ability to Carry Adult Weight

Test/play on the slide to ensure that it will support an adult's weight. If it is stable for you, it will be safe for your child.