Once the warmer days of spring and summer arrive, most children are anxious to play outdoors. If you’re looking for inexpensive outdoor activities that will inspire your child to use his or her creativity, building a clubhouse together can be the perfect solution. Although you could certainly purchase a pre-made clubhouse, it can be a lot more fun to design and build one yourself. There are an almost endless number of ways you can build a clubhouse. If you think you don’t have the carpentry skills required to build a children’s clubhouse, think again. There are plenty of easy ways to create a fun place for your child to play, even if you don’t even own a hammer. Building your own clubhouse is also a good way to save money.

Cardboard Box Clubhouse Construction

Cardboard house clubhouses are the perfect choice if your child wants to do most of the construction and decorating. Although cardboard certainly isn’t a weather-resistant material, a cardboard box clubhouse can be used outside on nice days. When your child isn’t playing with the clubhouse, you can simply fold it up and store it indoors. You could also set it up for indoor play when the weather is bad.

To make a cardboard box clubhouse, you’ll need a large cardboard box. Large appliances boxes such as those used to ship refrigerators or stoves can work perfectly. Before allowing your child to play with the box, be sure to inspect it carefully for sharp edges, staples or other unsafe features. Make sure the box can be folded flat to make it easier to pick up and move. Use a sharp utility knife to make a door and windows. If you have more than one large cardboard box, you could even connect them together by using smaller boxes to form tunnels between them. Once the basic construction is complete, simply give your child a box of crayons, some construction paper and glue, and let the decorating begin.

Blanket Tents

If you don’t have easy access to a large cardboard box, don’t despair. You can help your child create an impromptu blanket tent clubhouse using nothing more than a large blanket or sheet, plus your clothesline or a folding card table. If you’re using an old blanket or sheet that is no longer needed, you could even cut windows in it. Drape the blanket or sheet over your clothesline, securing the edges with a few rocks or heavy objects. You could also create a tent that is more durable and easy to use by sewing a cover for a folding card table. If the tent gets dirty during play, simply toss it in the washer and dryer, and it will come out good as new. Your child could also decorate the sheet or blanket with permanent laundry-safe markers. Of course, permanent markers will also permanently mark clothing items, so be sure your child is wearing old clothes during the decoration process. You can simply spread the sheet out on the yard to make it easier for your child to draw on it.

Alyssa Davis is a staff writer and decorating specialist with Metal-Wall-Art.com and she offers stylish suggestions for decorating with abstract metal wall art and metal wall hanging.

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