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How to give a cubby house a makeover

By Bunnings magazine /

A small wooden cubby house painted white and blue, with window boxes holding white flowers, and a picket fence, sits in a garden.

Overview

Give the kids the gift of outdoor play this Christmas with a cute cubby house. Kids love a cubby! It’s their very own space to play-act and daydream. And with a kit you can put a cubby house together in hours with just a drill. But what makes it really special is a custom paint job. So dream up a scheme to delight the kids on Christmas morning, or invite them to help with the project. An off-the-shelf kit makes assembly easy so you can focus on the fun part – painting!

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Unbox the cubby house

    Open the cubby house kit box on a level area and, using the user manual as your guide, check all the parts are there before you start building.

    Tip: All of the parts and supplied screws are clearly labelled and numbered. Lay out the parts in logical order of assembly.
    A pile of unassembled wood parts for building a cubby house
  2. 2

    Build your cubby house

    Following the manufacturer’s instructions and using the supplied screws, assemble the cubby house.

    Tip: To help avoid over-driving the screws, set your drill to low speed, generally 1, and if it has options for drilling and screwing, ensure it is set to screw mode.
    A hand holding a drill, drilling a screw into a piece of wood
  3. 3

    Apply the tape and sketch the design

    Create a painting plan for your cubby house. Make a sketch on paper of each side of the cubby and label the colours to be used for the different areas, plus any design details, such as the flowers we chose. Mask off the cubby house windows using painter’s tape. 

    A hand applying blue painter’s tape around the windowsill of a cubby house.
  4. 4

    Paint the interior and large surfaces

    Working on a drop sheet outside, use a mini roller to apply two coats of paint to the cubby interior and larger surfaces, such as the roof, in the main colour (we used white); let dry after each coat.

    Tip: Paint the window boxes and mailbox before attaching to the cubby house.
    A hand using a mini roller to apply white paint to a cubby house exterio
  5. 5

    Draw the flower designs

    Mask off where needed for trim paint colours (we used shades of blue), then apply two coats of paint; let dry after each coat. To create our flower designs, use a pencil to trace around a coin or small jar lid to draw the flower eye and petals.

    A hand holding a pencil to trace a circle shape onto the cubby house using a coin
  6. 6

    Decorate the cubby house

    Use artist’s brushes to carefully apply two coats of paint to the flower designs; let dry after each coat. Attach the window boxes and mailbox (see tip in step 4). Enlist help to move the cubby house to its final location.

    A hand holding a paintbrush to paint flower designs on the cubby house
  7. 7

    Keep in mind...

    • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when erecting any structure.
    • When using power tools and painting, always wear the recommended safety gear (such as gloves, mask and eye and ear protection), follow the manufacturer’s instructions and work in a well-ventilated area.
    • Keep all paint and chemicals out of reach of children and pets. 
    • Check the weather forecast: if rain is imminent, delay exterior painting, and avoid painting in very hot or very cold conditions. Plan to paint when it’s cool and shady, as paint may dry too quickly in direct sunlight, leaving brush marks and an uneven finish.
    • Paint colours may vary on application.
  8. 8

    After more outdoor projects you can do with the kids?

    Learn how to make a solar garden light pot.

    [disclaimers]

    Some advertised services and products are not available at some Bunnings stores, but products can be ordered.

    Photo credit: Louise Roche, Adam Woodhams.

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.