How to Build a Playhouse with Life-Sized Lincoln Logs

photo source 

Lincoln logs have been a source of frustration for me ever since the sibs and I received a small canister for Christmas in the early 1960s. It was the size of the one above–big enough to make a pint-sized ranch style house–much smaller than what was pictured on the container. Between that frustration and my constant lusting for hair as curly and blond as the child model's, I never master Lincoln Log construction.

Fast forward to Family Camp 2013, where one of the projects was the renovation of the old log cabin playhouse. The dismantling and rebuilding of the structure was an educational experience with life-sized Lincoln Logs, one that demanded to be recorded in photographs.

First, Mary tries to take down the structure with karate kicks.

When that doesn't work, Mike uses a crowbar,

 while Mary and Kaitlyn climb onto the roof with hammers in hand,

and pull off the roof.

Kinda weird, huh?

Meanwhile, far-seeing Myleah color codes and numbers the logs for future reference.

Once the logs are all numbered and the demolition is complete, the playhouse looks like this. The pile of wood in the top right corner is material that needs to be replaced: the roof, the floor, 7 wall logs, and other items.

They really do look like life-sized Lincoln Logs!

Replacing the bad logs is easy. Just go to the nearby woods, cut down trees of the correct size, and add them to the pile. Then get Karen and Kaitlyn to peel the logs.

Next, put Dave behind the wheel of heavy machinery to level the dirt in the new, shady location not far from the old spot,

lay the foundation blocks,

and talk Mike and Misha into hauling one log,

and another...you get the idea.

Of course, the new logs need to be notched. But that's easy when Dave wields his chain saw.

Add the floor joists and another layer of logs, including the door threshold log, to hold the joists in place.

Things slow down a bit when it's time to lay the floor, which is made of deck planks left from another camp project. Karen is a whiz with power tools.

Unfortunately, the day of my departure arrived before the floor was completed and more logs went up. So there are no more pictures this year. But just wait until next year when the playhouse will be up and running for Family Camp 2014!

PS: Thanks to Pam Walker who sent this picture of the playhouse at the end of Family Camp, 2013. With the roof on, she says, the structure should be able to make it through the winter.

Kinda makes you want to be a kid again, doesn't it?