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Two identical ladder-rung ends and a recessed platform are the whole design, but the tip-resistant feet are the part not to skip: a small child standing on a raised platform can put enough leverage on a narrow-footprint tower to tip it backward, and the wider footer at the base is what stops that. The source is right to flag it as a judgment call on the side-to-side resistors — backward tipping is the real risk, so if you're simplifying, that's the corner to cut, not this one.
The platform sits recessed 1" from the outside faces of the tower rather than flush, which does double duty: it hides the platform-support cleats and it keeps the platform physically captured inside the tower instead of resting loose on top of it.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Pine, 1x8, 8 ft | 1 each |
| Pine, 1x2, 8 ft | 4 each |
| Pine, 1x3, 8 ft | 1 each |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 3 oz |
| Sandpaper, assorted grit | 2 sheet |
Overall cost: $. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| LegsPine 1x2 | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 38" |
| Ladder rungsPine 1x2 | 8 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 15" |
| ArchesPine 1x8Two arches cut from one board; substitute two 1x3 @ 15" straight boards for a simpler build. | 1 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 15" |
| Front and back sidesPine 1x8 | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 16 1/2" |
| PlatformPine 1x8 | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 18" |
| Platform supportsPine 1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 15" |
| Bottom supportsPine 1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 16 1/2" |
| Top supportsPine 1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 16 1/2" |
| Tip resistors, longPine 1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 24" |
| Tip resistors, shortPine 1x3Optional side-to-side resistors — backward tipping is the greater risk. | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 3" |
Buy 6 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
1 board
4 boards
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
From the 15"-long 1x8, cut two arches with a jigsaw, adjusting the layout so both fit on the one board. A straight 1x3 board across works as a simpler substitute if you'd rather skip this step.
Measure and mark the legs for the ladder rung positions. Drill 3/4" pocket holes and glue the ends of the ladder rungs, then attach with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. Build two identical leg-and-rung assemblies.
Mark the location of the front and back side pieces and predrill. Glue and screw in place with pocket hole screws, checking for square. Keep the sides open so a child can crawl in and out.
Mark the platform boards 1" in from the outside edges. Attach the platform supports with glue and 1-1/4" screws — these supports both join the platform boards and hold the platform captured inside the tower.
Round the corners of the tip resistors and screw together. The shorter side-to-side resistors are optional — backward tipping is the greater risk, so build to suit your child's needs.
Screw the tip-resistant footer to the legs.
Sand every surface and finish.
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