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4 Free DIY Pirate Ship Playhouse Plans You Can Build Today (With Pictures)
Pete Ortiz
Last updated:
Any kid would love to have a playground in their backyard. Buying one can be prohibitively expensive, and for some, that’s where the idea stops. But you can wow your family, spend a fraction of the money, AND get the kids out of the house this summer by building your own playhouse.
Pirates never go out of style. Transform your backyard into a high seas adventure by learning how to build a pirate ship playhouse for your own crew of adorable scallywags has never been easier.
In this article, we’ve collected 4 free DIY pirate ship playhouse plans for various skill levels. You will also find helpful tips, breakdowns of materials & tools, and safety information. Everything you need to get started right.
Parent, or superhero? Let your kids be the judge.
Before You Start
Read the Plan
Before you swing that hammer: read over your entire plan! It may sound like a no-brainer, but you can save yourself costly mistakes by reading thoroughly and compiling all the materials before you begin.
Locate a solid foundation
If your playhouse will be directly on the ground make sure the building surface is flat, level, and slightly larger than the structure. For something off the ground 4x4s, concrete blocks, or a separate deck make secure foundations. Stiffen up a platform and prevent wobble by cross-bracing it with wood or cable.
Buy lumber in bulk
Most hardware stores offer bulk discounts and delivery for lumber purchases. If available, we recommend taking advantage of those services to save time, money, and hassle. Get all your project supplies – paint and hardware included – in one easy order!
It’s also a good idea to look for discounts and promotions on lumber. We recommend looking on online coupon sites such as DealA and WeThrift.
Image Credit: antmoreton, Pixabay
The 4 Free DIY Pirate Ship Playhouse Plans
1. Small and Simple DIY Playhouse Plans from Paul’s Playhouses
Paul’s Pirate Ship is the smallest playhouse on our list. What it lacks in size, however, it makes up for with thoughtful design and straightforward instruction. With access to the right tools, even novices will feel comfortable tackling this project.
All of Paul’s recommend pressure-treated wood for all exterior structures, and GRK brand screws. GRK screws are self-tapping (no need to pre-drill a hole) with countersinking heads that enable you to drill screws in flush to the wood or just beneath it without needing to buy a special countersink drill bit.
This playhouse is about 4.25 feet tall and 8 feet long. It is ideal for smaller children, with its portholes for peeking and a crawl-through entry. But folks with a grander plan shouldn’t discount it – the size and detailed prow shape would also make it a great addition to a larger structure too.
Materials Needed
Lumbers Needed
Tools Needed
GRK 3” R4 multipurpose screws
(8) 5/4” x 6” x 8’
Pencil
GRK 2.5” R4 multipurpose screws
(2) 5/4” x 6” x 10’
Hammer
GRK 4” structural screws (optional)
(6) 2” x 4” x 8’
Hand saw
(4) 2” x 4” x 10’
Tape Measure
(1) 2” x 4” x 12’
Speed Square
(1) 2” x 6” x 8’
Drill & impact driver
(4) 2” x 6” x 10’
Circular saw
(3) 4’ x 8’ x ⅝”
Sander
Pressure-treated plywood
Jigsaw (optional)
Miter saw (optional)
Chalk line (optional)
Reciprocating saw (optional)
2. Wide Deck DIY Pirate Ship Playhouse Plans from Instructables
This project is not for beginners. The instructions just aren’t specific enough for us to recommend it to anyone below an advanced skill level. However, if you have a woodshop, intermediate skill, and ambition you could blow your kids’ minds.
A couple of strong points of this build are the clear diagrams and explanations of trials and errors. For example why his initial idea for a mast failed, and what he did about it. A skilled craftsperson may find it worthwhile to hear someone else’s thought process and solutions.
Materials Needed
Lumbers Needed
Tools Needed
Cement
(6) 2’ x 4’ x 6’
Drill
Paving stones
(2) 2’ x 4’ x 5’
Table saw
Screws
(2) 2’ x 4’ x 3’
Router
Plywood
(2) 2’ x 4’ x 3’6”
Shovel
(2) 2’ x 4’ x 3’9”
Pencil
(2) 2’ x 4’ x 4’
Posts
(2) 2’ x 4’ x 4’6”
Rope
(3) 2’ x 6’ x 6′
Ship wheel
(2) 2’ x 6’ x 3’
Canvas drop cloth
(5) 2’ x 4’ x 3’
Wood glue
6” x 6’ x ¾” fence boards for the hull
3. Huge and Elaborate DIY Pirate Ship Playhouse Plans from Instructables
If you’re new to building structures, don’t even think about trying to use these plans. No diagrams or cut lists are included, and many of the tools & hardware are industrial strength. Advanced craftspeople should also note that it took months of work and around $3000 to complete
Nevertheless, we do think it worthwhile to peruse this design for many fun and useful ideas. Here are just a few: Culled lumber lots can save you up to 75% on wood. Use windows from an outlet as secret entrances. Consider thick rubber mats to catch any reckless slide users!
Materials Needed
Lumbers Needed
Tools Needed
Screws
Unspecified, but a lot
Impact driver
Slide
Chop saw
Spiral slide
Drill
Swings
Grinder
Rubber impact mats
Paint
Expanding foam
2 rectangular Anderson windows
3 square Anderson windows
300’ of rope
4. Swing Set DIY Pirate Ship Playhouse Plans from Instructables
This pirate ship playground on Instructables is roughly the size of a normal swing set… but way cooler. The builder of these plans gets full points for style and creativity. They took the basic idea of a swing set with a ship on top and added special touches, like a gangplank & old wagon wheel for steering.
We only recommend these plans to more advanced craftspeople, due to the from-scratch build of this playset. Materials and hardware are talked about in a general sense, and there are no explanations of technique or diagrams to work from.
However, even novices may appreciate the details that make this playset so awesome: A vintage wagon wheel turned into a ship’s steering. Diluted paint for a sun-beaten, rugged look. Cosmetic boards are whimsically offset. And real driftwood added on for a seafaring feel.
Materials Needed
Lumbers Needed
Tools Needed
Quikrete
4’ x 4’ boards
Pencil
6” lag screws
4’ x 8’ boards
Drill
Deck screws
4’ x 10’ boards
Shovel
Fence staples
2’ x 12’ boards
Level
Metal L bracket plates
2’ x 4’ x 8’ posts
Jigsaw
Swing
Fence pickets
Router
Paint
Fence posts
Paint sprayer
8’ fence post
Pre-cut steps
Sander
5” diameter pipe
Canvas drop cloth
Rope
Final Thoughts on the 4 Free DIY Pirate Ship Playhouse Plans
There’s no better way to enjoy spring and summer than playing outside with your kids. And since pre-made playgrounds can be expensive, why not learn how to build a ship playhouse yourself? So, bring on the next family project and prepare to set sail on the pirate ship playhouse of your dreams!
Considering incorporating a tree into your playhouse? Check out somewhere like TreehouseSupplies.com for quality kits, zip lines, and more. You should always get professional opinions & equipment when thinking about doing your own rigging – especially from trees.
Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. Over the years, he has developed a keen interest in a wide variety of DIY projects around the home. Fascinated by all sort of tools, Pete loves reading and writing about all the latest gadgets and accessories that hit the market. His other interests include astronomy, hiking, and fishing.
As the founder of House Grail, Pete's primary goal is to help consumers make educated decisions about DIY projects at home, in the garage, and in the garden.
