Build with us
Build Something a Child Will Never Forget.
We're looking for San Diego County's builders, makers, artists and dreamers to help grow our village. You can help build an entire house — or one small part of one.
We welcome participation from:
- Contractors
- Playhouse builders
- Shed builders
- Carpenters
- Architects
- Artists
- Interior designers
- Painters
- Sign makers
- Furniture makers
- Construction companies
- Trade schools
- Home improvement companies
- Corporate volunteer teams
- Community organizations
Donate materials. Donate talent. Build a house. Paint a wall. Create something magical.
You build the house.
The kids build the story.
Before children arrive, it's wood. Paint. Windows. Doors. Tools. Decorations. Then a child walks inside. Suddenly it's a store. A castle. A workshop. A secret clubhouse. A home. A whole world.
We build the little house. They create the big dream.
Playhouse Design
Our playhouses are often just a simple lean-to or low gable roof line. This makes the playhouses perfect for kids of all ages and heights. With wide doors and big open windows, the playhouse designs are welcoming, inclusive and accessible for every child.
Large openings, wide doorways and oversized windows allow easy entry for children walking, using mobility aids or rolling in wheelchairs, while leaving enough room for everyone to play together comfortably.
Open sides and clear sightlines also help parents and caregivers easily see and hear what their children are doing while still giving kids the freedom to explore independently.
The goal is simple: every child can enter easily, play comfortably and belong fully.
Built Creatively. Built Resourcefully.
Our playhouses are intentionally built to be compact. Generally, they range in size from 4 ft x 8 ft up to 6 ft x 12 ft. This means builders can do a lot with a little. Kids love smaller spaces, and because of their pint size, these structures can often be built with leftover materials and in much less time.
Surplus lumber, leftover building materials, discontinued fixtures and pieces that might otherwise be thrown away can often become exactly what we need.
We also love giving everyday items a new life. A large wooden table and chairs can be cut down to kid size. An old bookshelf can become a market display. A few yards of fabric can make curtains for an entire playhouse.
With a little imagination, donated and repurposed materials can become something completely new — and completely magical to a child.
Each playhouse has its own theme, from The Little Market and Little Garage to the Little Builder House, Little Dress Shop and Little Dream House, so our needs are always changing.
Have materials, furniture, décor or supplies that deserve a second life? Check out our Wish List and help us turn them into something kids will love.
Schools & Students
Imagine an architecture class designing it. Construction students building it. Art students painting it. Design students decorating it. Local businesses supplying the materials. And children throughout San Diego County enjoying the finished house.