A Little Library is a great way to engage people of all ages with free books for the community. Place a Little Library by playspace benches to create a calming area for adults and children alike!
Sort all materials into piles by like items to ensure you have materials needed to complete project.
Take the 4x4x8' board. Cut into [1] 60" piece and [2] 10¾" pieces.
Take the 2x6x8' board. Cut into one 19" piece. You can use the remaining wood for another project.
Take the 4x8' plywood board. Cut, according to the diagram, [2] 19"x21 ⅛" pieces, [2] 12"x27 ⅛" pieces, [2] 22"x11 ½" pieces, [1] 19x10 ¾" piece, and [1] 18 ½"x16 ⅛" piece. Use the chalk line to help mark each measurement.
Take the Plexiglas sheet. Measure out [1] 13"x15" piece. Place tape over the measuring lines on both sides of the Plexiglas to make cutting smoother. Cut using the circular saw.
Angled Cuts:
If the Little Library will be painted, prime all sides and edges of the plywood pieces.
Inventory and sort all of your materials.
Use the 1" deck screws to attach the side panels (12"x27⅛") to the floor panel (10¾" x19"). Be sure the side panels are centered on the floor panel.
Next attach the back panel (21 ⅛"x19") to the floor panel and side panels. The back panel will fit inside of the two side panels.
Next use the small screws to attach the Plexiglas panel to the front window panel (18 ½"x16⅛"). Pre-drilling the holes will help prevent the Plexiglas from cracking.
Then attach the front window panel with Plexiglas to the front panel (21 ⅛" x 19") using the small hinges provided (where the red circles are). Be sure that you are spacing the hinges appropriately so that the window panel covers the entire hole on the front panel.
Attach the front panel you just built to the Little Library using the 1" deck screws.
Attach 1 of the 2 roof panels (22"x11 ½") to the front of the Little Library using the 1" deck screws.
Attach the 2nd roof panel (22"x 11 ½") to the back half of the little library using the 1" deck screws.
Take the 4x4x5' post and center it on the 2x6x19" board. Then attach the two 4x4x10 ¾" trapezoid braces to opposite sides of the 4x4x5'. Attach the trapezoids using the 3" lag screws provided. Pre-drilling holes will make this easier.
Flip the stand over and attach the Library to the stand using the 2" lag screws provided. Pre-drilling these holes will make this easier.
Dig a hole that is 2' deep and roughly 6" wide. Concrete the Little Library in place with 1-2 bags of concrete.
Paint as desired.
KABOOM! is a national nonprofit that works to achieve playspace equity. Kids who don't have access to play miss out on childhood and are denied critical opportunities to build physical, social and emotional health.
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Our goal is to end playspace inequity. For good.
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Outdoor basketball courts weather a lot of wear and tear. Fresh paint can spark spirit and pride, and painting logos or mascots in center court encourages community identity.
Adults and children appreciate having plenty of seating areas in and near their playspace. We've included instructions for a KaBOOM! favorite here, a combination bench/planter! Benches encourage adult supervision when placed in close proximity to the playground equipment. Seating also encourages a sense of community by creating a designated area for neighbors to gather together, much like a “town square." The double planter bench can be a combination bench + planter OR can be used as a bench with a chessboard tabletop in the middle!
Ga-ga is a fast-paced, dodgeball-style game played in a fenced-in court (often hexagonal or octagonal) with a single ball and two or more players. Like dodgeball, the object of the game is to knock out your opponents by hitting them with the ball. Unlike dodgeball, however, the ball can only be hit with open hands and is in almost constant motion. Players strike, jump, and run to avoid being hit and are eliminated only when struck on or below the knee.