If you've got some scrap lumber from previous projects, why not use it to make a play set for your child? A 3' by 4' piece of 3/4" plywood makes a good base for a play set (figure A). If you plan to install a recessed sand area, you'll need to establish a framework of 1" by 2" boards underneath (figure B). Most play sets have two basic elements: a road and some grass. You can draw the road and paint it or cover the base with green indoor/outdoor carpeting and cut out a road. If you draw and paint the road first, you might want to use newspapers to make a template (figure C) for cutting out the carpet shapes. Green indoor/outdoor carpeting makes great "grass" for a play set. If you don't have any, you may be able to get some scraps for free from a carpet store. Use adhesive (spray adhesive works well) to secure the carpet to the base. Use dead branches to create realistic-looking trees. Just cut an X in the carpet where you want the trees, then drill a hole in the base that's the same diameter as the branch. Push the base of the branch into the hole to finish the tree (figure D). Create buildings from old milk cartons (figure E). You might want to let your kids paint them. Cans and PVC pipe can be painted to create water towers and smokestacks. You can cut a PVC pipe in half lengthwise to create a tunnel (figure F). To create a sand pile, cut a hole in the plywood so a baking pan can fit inside. Then fill the pan with sand (figure G).
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