See What Families Are Building with Jack's Backyard
There's nothing better than seeing a backyard project come to life! Over the years, I've had the pleasure of helping families create everything from simple DIY forts and swing sets to custom playsets and one-of-a-kind treehouses.
Here you'll find photos, stories, and reviews from families who have used my DIY plans or worked with us to bring their backyard ideas to life. Some followed the plans step by step, while others added their own creative touches along the way.
Here you'll find photos, stories, and reviews from families who have used my DIY plans or worked with us to bring their backyard ideas to life. Some followed the plans step by step, while others added their own creative touches along the way.
Take a look around, get inspired, and see what's possible in your own backyard.
Gemini DIY Playset Plans – A Family Builds Their Second Clubhouse
At the end of 2019, I purchased the Gemini plans to build a clubhouse my kids could play in, knowing it would be sturdy enough for their rough play. This clubhouse proved itself in the first year we had it. A hurricane came through South Louisiana and didn't budge it an inch. I think my actual house swayed more than the clubhouse! We enjoyed the clubhouse for five years but eventually moved. My family enjoyed the first clubhouse so much that we're building a new one at our new house.
Thanks for making these plans available!— Luke, August 8, 2026
Thanks for making these plans available!— Luke, August 8, 2026
The Triton — a sturdy fort and swingset built by Mike for his daughter, exceeding expectations for strength and durability.”
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The Triton — a sturdy fort and swingset built by Mike for his daughter
Jack,
We just want to drop you a note to express our satisfaction with the swing set plans that we received. Mike was able to build a solid and sound swing set for our daughter. The product that Mike was able to build truly exceeded our expectations. It is able to accommodate both children and adults due to the size and nature of its structure and accessories. The swing set truly is a fine product and will bring many years of pleasure to our daughter and, hopefully, her future siblings as well as friends. Please find attached a photo of the swing set for your enjoyment. Many thanks. Marissa & Mike |
Jack's Backyard Playground Equipment Features and Benefits
Box playsets are flimsy and overpriced. Build your own backyard fort for less — see how in my DIY Blog
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Apollo DIY Swingset
Jack,
I just wanted to thank you for selling me a wonderful set of plans!! My daughter and I built this in three days with virtually no trouble. I was able to present it to my two grandchildren at their birthday party and they were (are) thrilled! Many thanks, Lea Ann Robertson Note: I asked her if I could post the pics on this site. This was her response: Of course. Other women need to see that they can do it, too ;-) Thanks again. L. Robertson |
Hi Jack,
Just wanted to say that I just completed the 4-position swing, and the Triton Fort. Your plans were absolutely top-notch, saving me a great deal of time! Thank you! My children are delighted. Since we don't have a level piece of property, I ended up building a wood foundation platform into the ground on which to rest the fort, and secured the platform with concrete. This made it a lot easier to assemble the fort, as I didn't have to be concerned about leveling. I also added a pulley on the back of the fort to hang a bucket which my son loves to lower up and down.
I can't thank you enough for your great plans! - B Thompson
Just wanted to say that I just completed the 4-position swing, and the Triton Fort. Your plans were absolutely top-notch, saving me a great deal of time! Thank you! My children are delighted. Since we don't have a level piece of property, I ended up building a wood foundation platform into the ground on which to rest the fort, and secured the platform with concrete. This made it a lot easier to assemble the fort, as I didn't have to be concerned about leveling. I also added a pulley on the back of the fort to hang a bucket which my son loves to lower up and down.
I can't thank you enough for your great plans! - B Thompson
Build Your Own Triton PlaysetJack,
Plans worked great! I took the extra time and routed every edge on the set and wow did it come out nice. It turned out like a piece of furniture. Kids (and parents) love it and it's as solid as a bomb shelter! Good job. Regards, Jim Poland, Ohio |
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Jack,
Wow! The plans really exceeded my expectations! Fantastic job! This is an engineers dream...full and explicit documentation, with pictures! Thanks again for all your help and thanks for selling the plans. I am saving $$$ by not purchasing a Rainbow System. Except for the 4 x 4 posts and swing beam, I am going to be able rip most, if not all, of the 2x cedar components from some left over 2x12's from a deck job. Thanks again for your web site - it is very informative. I also enjoyed your plans in the Better Homes and Gardens book.
Thanks again,
Chris
Wow! The plans really exceeded my expectations! Fantastic job! This is an engineers dream...full and explicit documentation, with pictures! Thanks again for all your help and thanks for selling the plans. I am saving $$$ by not purchasing a Rainbow System. Except for the 4 x 4 posts and swing beam, I am going to be able rip most, if not all, of the 2x cedar components from some left over 2x12's from a deck job. Thanks again for your web site - it is very informative. I also enjoyed your plans in the Better Homes and Gardens book.
Thanks again,
Chris
Do-It-Yourself Triton Playset
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Jack,
We just want to drop you a note to express our satisfaction with the swing set plans that we received. Mike was able to build a solid and sound swing set for our daughter. The product that Mike was able to build truly exceeded our expectations. It is able to accommodate both children and adults due to the size and nature of its structure and accessories. The swing set truly is a fine product and will bring many years of pleasure to our daughter and, hopefully, her future siblings as well as friends. Please find attached a photo of the swing set for your enjoyment. Many thanks. Marissa & Mike |
Jack,
Wanted to let you know how much I really enjoyed building the fort for my kids. The plan was very detailed. It showed exactly what material I should have, how many pieces of wood I should have after cutting them up. I could go on and on. Basically, I wanted to thank you for making the building very enjoyable experience for everyone including my wife. She bet that I would be running back to Lowe's more than 5 times to get additional supplies. I only went back 2 times afterward. One was because my fort was on the slope and I needed more screws and washers to build-up additional "foundation" for the sandbox. The other was to get 25 bags of 50lbs each of beach sand!! Thanks a bunch and continuous success!!
P Rader
Wanted to let you know how much I really enjoyed building the fort for my kids. The plan was very detailed. It showed exactly what material I should have, how many pieces of wood I should have after cutting them up. I could go on and on. Basically, I wanted to thank you for making the building very enjoyable experience for everyone including my wife. She bet that I would be running back to Lowe's more than 5 times to get additional supplies. I only went back 2 times afterward. One was because my fort was on the slope and I needed more screws and washers to build-up additional "foundation" for the sandbox. The other was to get 25 bags of 50lbs each of beach sand!! Thanks a bunch and continuous success!!
P Rader
Build Your Own Wooden Apollo SwingsetJack,
It's been about a year since I purchased plans and built the Apollo swing set. It's great, our 3 year old twins love it. Here are the pics. Feel free to use them in any way you want and thanks. Mark |
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Dear Jack.
We spent the Fourth of July (100 degree heat) building your Gemini Playset for my 2 year old son. It took one full day to cut and label the wood. Then it took two more days to put it all together. But as you can see, it's sturdy enough to hold THREE GROWN MEN! This thing ain't going nowhere! Your plans were very easy to follow and we appreciated the shopping list. We look forward to years of fun on this swing set! THANKS! Gina <>< |
Build Your Own All Wood Gemini Playset and Beyond
Jack-
Enclosed are a few photos from the playset I built from a set of your plans. As you can see, I made a few alterations including a 6x10' sandbox under the main fort and a rung ladder. The rung ladder and monkey bars are made of stainless steel piping that I bead blasted for texture.
Thank you for all your support throughout the building process and the excellent plans. The kids are enjoying the playset immensely!!!
To anyone considering building a playset I would highly recommend these plans. Feel free to use any of the enclosed photos for reference.
Thanks again!
Pete Smith Rochester, MN
Enclosed are a few photos from the playset I built from a set of your plans. As you can see, I made a few alterations including a 6x10' sandbox under the main fort and a rung ladder. The rung ladder and monkey bars are made of stainless steel piping that I bead blasted for texture.
Thank you for all your support throughout the building process and the excellent plans. The kids are enjoying the playset immensely!!!
To anyone considering building a playset I would highly recommend these plans. Feel free to use any of the enclosed photos for reference.
Thanks again!
Pete Smith Rochester, MN
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How's this for an endorsement?
My Gemini took a lickin', but stayed up. I guess I'll be needing some new roof tarps . ;-)
We had 70 MPH straight line winds at 3 am for about 15 min. It snapped the main part of the tree in half right in the middle. Removing the tree without causing more damage was a challenge, but we have a friend with a bobcat so we were able to lift the tree off without causing more damage. I will need to replace 3) 4" X 4"s and most of the upper deck and put new tarps on her, but its really remarkable how well the whole structure absorbed the blow. Speaks well for your design.
We have had endless compliments on the playset/treehouse for the past 3 years and of course the kids and their friends use it constantly. Both the treehouse and playset are all western red cedar sealed with TWP cedar tone stain (great stuff from coastal sealants) Feel free to post the pix if you like. I will send you one after I get her repaired.
Gary
We had 70 MPH straight line winds at 3 am for about 15 min. It snapped the main part of the tree in half right in the middle. Removing the tree without causing more damage was a challenge, but we have a friend with a bobcat so we were able to lift the tree off without causing more damage. I will need to replace 3) 4" X 4"s and most of the upper deck and put new tarps on her, but its really remarkable how well the whole structure absorbed the blow. Speaks well for your design.
We have had endless compliments on the playset/treehouse for the past 3 years and of course the kids and their friends use it constantly. Both the treehouse and playset are all western red cedar sealed with TWP cedar tone stain (great stuff from coastal sealants) Feel free to post the pix if you like. I will send you one after I get her repaired.
Gary
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Do-It-Yourself Playset Success Gallery
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