What began as a dream after moving into her home turned into a growing backyard village filled with playhouses, whimsical details and wild pickup stories
Credit: Haley Orrock
NEED TO KNOW
- A mom has spent the last three years turning her backyard into a playhouse village for her children
- She has found all four playhouses on Facebook Marketplace, spending no more than $60 on each of them
- She says every playhouse has come with its own memorable pickup story, from car trouble to near encounters with power lines
Three years ago, shortly after moving into her home, Haley Orrock, 29, began imagining something most people would probably dismiss as a childhood fantasy. Instead of one backyard playhouse, she pictured an entire village.
Today, that dream is becoming reality. Orrock currently has four playhouses spread throughout her yard, each with its own personality, theme and purpose.
“There are currently 4 playhouses in the village,” Orrock tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I've been dreaming of this playhouse village ever since we moved into the house three years ago and I always knew I was going to make it over the top!”
The project recently drew attention on Instagram Reels after Orrock shared footage of one of her latest additions. The video showed everything from the stressful trip home, to the renovation process, including plans for a post office-themed lower level and individual mailboxes for every playhouse.
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What viewers may not realize is that finding the structures has become one of the hardest parts of the project. Every playhouse in the village has come from Facebook Marketplace, often requiring plenty of creativity and determination just to get it home.
“All of the houses have been found from Facebook Marketplace,” she says. “The most I have spent so far is $60 for one.”
The bargains, however, often come with complications. Orrock says nearly every playhouse has arrived with a story attached.
“One we got in a car crash on the way, another was so tall we thought it would hit the power lines, one was too big to fit in my small car and I had to physically break it apart and fix it up later,” she recalls.
The finished designs are often shaped by the same audience that follows along online. While Orrock starts with ideas she believes her children will enjoy, she says many of the most memorable features come directly from comments left by viewers.
Credit: Haley Orrock
“I hope people still comment their amazing ideas,” she says, noting that much of the village has been inspired by suggestions from followers.
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Even after completing four playhouses, Orrock says the project remains far from finished. In fact, she already has plans to expand.
“The village has a long way to go still,” she says. “I plan to add several more houses.”
And if everything goes according to plan, the village may never truly be done. Asked when she expects to finish the project, Orrock's answer is simple: “Hopefully never.”
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