Few things are as synonymous with childhood as the treehouse. Whether it’s a simple crow’s nest or an over the top design, the memories your kids will make in their treehouse will last a lifetime. Here are five treehouse ideas that your kids will love.
Grade A
This classic A-frame treehouse is reminiscent of the treehouse of yesteryear. With its simple design and quick construction, this treehouse will have your kids creating a boys’ only fort or a kids’ only hideaway in no time. With the colorful imaginations of kids, the design of your treehouse doesn’t have to be over the top, so stick with the classic that will have your kids getting dirty and having a blast!
Neverland hideaway
Your kids will never want to grow up when they have this treehouse to play in. A mix of Neverland and Pirate Island, this treehouse offers an eccentric space for your kids to explore. The design of this treehouse lends itself to creativity and its hodge-podge nature means that you can reuse all sorts of materials from other projects. So, let your kids explore their wild side and let loose in this delightfully original treehouse. Have the kids design the banner that will fly over their hideaway.
Get whimsical
When building this treehouse, let your inner child come out to play and embrace the whimsical. By incorporating lots of color and imaginative architectural elements, you can take a basic treehouse design to an extraordinary level. Let your kids get in on the design action by selecting colors and helping with the painting. Since this project can use as many colors as your kids desire, you can save money by using remnants of paint you already have or buying oops paint from a big box store. Incorporating a slide lets your kids have as much fun coming down as they have playing in the treehouse.
Rustic treehouse
If you have a penchant for all things recycled, then this treehouse is the one for you. Made of scrap lumber and a simple fabric cover, this reclaimed treehouse will allow your kids to use their imaginations and connect with nature. To let in natural light, a great choice for the cover fabric is mosquito netting or, for a little more coverage, opt for unbleached cotton muslin. Be sure to include a camp roll and some pillows – your kids won’t want to leave this rustic beauty. Have the kids design their own flag to hoist when the camp is in use! You can use an all-weather fabric or just cut and hem a piece of painter’s drop cloth. It holds paint well and is resistant to mold, plus it’s washable.
Freestanding treehouse
Just because you don’t have a tree doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a treehouse. This freestanding treehouse sits on a low platform that still provides all of the excitement of a traditional treehouse. This style is perfect for backyards that don’t have trees or that lack a tree large enough to support the structure. It’s also ideal for smaller children who may have more difficulty navigating ropes or ladders to get into a traditional treehouse.
Building a treehouse takes some time, effort, and expense. You’ll want to not only take into account the current age and abilities of your children when designing your treehouse, but their long-term use of the structure as well. Planning ahead now can save you from having to tear down and rebuild down the road.
With these treehouse styles, your kids will be enjoying days spent hiding out from bandits and nights under the stars. After you’ve completed your kids’ treehouse project, go ahead and give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back. You’ve built something your kids will love and enjoy for years to come.
Did you build a treehouse for your kids? Leave us a comment below and share pictures of your project.
Annette Masterson is a licensed broker with EXIT Realty Bob Lamb & Associates in Murfreesboro, TN. She has developed one of the most successful real estate teams in Rutherford County, known as Masterson Network, that specializes in new home construction and residential listings and sales throughout Middle Tennessee. You can email Annette at mastersonnetwork@gmail.com or call her at 615-896-5656 (Office) or 615-533-1660 (Cell) for more information.