Secret Playhouse

(with a real swing-open door + privacy window)

Build a big foam cube, hinge one mat for the door, and hand over the keys. Kids can swing the whole door open for grand entrances or latch the bottom half shut and leave a single square “service window” for top-secret deliveries. Two occupants fit if they don't mind elbows; one child plus pillows and an art stash fits perfectly. Door closed, creativity closed-door-session engaged.

Details:

Estimated build time: ≈ 8 – 10 mins
Mats needed: ≈ 40 pcs
Difficulty: Easy

Perks

Full-size door that clicks shut — or half-shut for a peek-a-boo window
Floor space for solo tinkering or a two-kid summit
Quick to build, quicker to flatten when today's classified project wraps up

Secret Playhouse made of colorful puzzle mats with a swing-open door and privacy window

How to Build: Step-by-Step Photos

Secret Playhouse build step 1

Step 1 - this is the floor piece: start with a 3x2 long rectangle

Secret Playhouse build step 2

Step 2 - add a 2x2 square on the top of it

Secret Playhouse build step 3

Step 3 - this is the back plane: add another 3x2 long rectangle on the right side

Secret Playhouse build step 4

Step 4 - stand these two pieces up to stabilize each other

Secret Playhouse build step 5

Step 5 - add another 2x2 square on the bottom and stand it up too

Secret Playhouse build step 6

Step 6 - now add a 2x1 long piece to the left side of the front and stand it up

Secret Playhouse build step 7

Step 7 - add another 2x1 long piece on the right side of the front and stand it up too

Secret Playhouse build step 8

Step 8 - add a 1x2 piece in an additional row at the top corner

Secret Playhouse build step 9

Step 9 - use that corner piece as base structure to expand an extra row to the other corner as well

Secret Playhouse build step 10

Step 10 - make sure that the front side also is now expanded to 3 rows high

Secret Playhouse build step 11

Step 11 - add a 2x3 ceiling on top to close up the house and close the 3rd row to form the door

Secret Playhouse build step 12

Step 12 - add a 2x1 long piece as a swing-open door

Gear We Used (Affiliate Links)

Puzzle Play Mats(I started with 4 packs which has been enough for all the builds shown here. Of course, more mats = more building possibilities!)