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We can learn so much from children, especially the importance of running, jumping, and climbing. Children do these things naturally and as adults, many of us lose the ability to perform many of these functional movements.
Why Build a Treehouse?
Climbing is one of the most functional and useful movements we can do, but statistically, most adults can’t do these movements anymore. Could you climb a 20 foot rope right now? What about a 15 foot climbing wall or a fire pole?
My children are still naturally able to climb, and helping them keep and improve this ability was a priority for my husband and I. We saved up and build a treehouse that would provide a place for exercise, climbing, and creative play (the children know all of these activities as “play” or “fun”).
The result was a month-long project that involved the help of grandparents (and the kids), a lot of wood and natural wood stain, and the creation of a treehouse that the kids (and adults!) love. Every aspect of the treehouse, from the zip line to the slide to the monkey bars is strong enough for an adult to use.
Is it Risky?
Some aspects of our treehouse would be considered risky. The zipline starts at a height of 12 feet. The climbing wall is at least that high and they could potentially fall from 8 feet or higher in a number of places. We’ve minimized the potential for them to get seriously injured, but I don’t mind that there is some risk involved.
There is evidence that the over-safe playgrounds we’ve created have a negative effect on our children and that not having this risk is stunting their psychological development.
…the more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves. If you never let them take any risks, then I believe they become very prone to injury. Boys should be allowed to climb tall trees and walk along the tops of high walls and dive into the sea from high rocks… The same with girls. I like the type of child who takes risks. Better by far than the one who never does so. -Roald Dahl
Expensive?
We consider this treehouse an investment in our children’s health and I love that it is a place where they can spend hours of quality time and make memories.
It wasn’t cheap to build but it was definitely in the same price range as buying a pre-made “safe” play structure that many families have in their backyards (but with a lot more features). We built it strong enough to hold all of our children even when they are teens (in fact, we’ve had 8+ adults up there at once).
The treehouse also encourages my kids to play with each other, and seeing them bond is priceless to me.
We saved and budgeted and made this a priority for them.
How to Build a Treehouse at Home
The deck of the treehouse is 9×16 and supported by a huge pine tree and six 6×6 boards. One side is a climbing wall and a climbing rope that goes to the top of the enclosed clubhouse inside. The deck of the treehouse is 7 feet tall.
On the deck, there is an open area with a railing where the children can play, and a 7×8 enclosed clubhouse area where they can build forts, have camp outs, and play outside even if it is raining. There is a 9 foot speed slide that comes out of the enclosed building.
The zip line attaches to the pine tree and goes to another tree that is over 150 feet away. To use the zip line, the children have to climb up, hold on to the zip line, ride it to the other tree, then run the 150+ feet back to the treehouse for the next person go. They typically do this for an hour or more a day (great exercise).
Under the deck of the treehouse are metal monkey bars, a set of rings/trapeze bar, a cargo net for climbing, two hanging chairs and a hammock. The kids spend time here relaxing and reading.
Treehouse Building Supplies
- six 6×6 boards
- tons of decking boards for the deck and the climbing wall
- wooden siding for the building
- translucent plastic for the roof
- 1 inch metal bars for monkey bars
- A long 2-inch metal pipe for fire pole
- A turbo slide
- 50 natural rock climbing holds
- A climbing rope
- A zip line
- two harnesses for the little kids to use the zipline
- A slack line
- Hammock Chairs
- Rings and Trapeze Combo
- A cargo net
- A simple hammock
- Natural Stain
Take the (virtual) tour here:
Do your kids have a treehouse? What physical activities do you encourage for them to stay fit and active? Share below!
Amazing! I’m very interested in this.
Do you mind me asking what the total cost ended up being? That will help me budget.
I build a lot of different things too and also do not use plans, but just build as I go along. I did have to be real specific when we built our kitchen cabinets and drawers, but for everything else, I just think about it, maybe make some sketches, and go from there. I come up with my own measurements for what I’m doing.
However, for all the people asking for specific instructions, I wanted to let you know that there are numerous how to plans online for just about anything you want to build. Ana-white.com has some detailed plans for a playhouse and swingset. I would suggest looking at several sites to get a general idea of various ways to build something. There are always numerous ways to build anything. Also, any specific question you have about the building process can also easily be found online, and likely in both video and article format.
Love the tree house. Is there any plans that I can download to build one for my son?
No, it was our own creation and we didn’t draw out the plans…
I have been looking at tree house designs for months to built for our son and found yours to be the best. Would you be able to provide details on approximately how much wood you used? And what kind of woods you used?
Do you have actual plans for this treehouse? It is the best one I have seen yet for what I am looking for for our boys.
No, we designed it ourselves and just drew out some rudimentary ideas on paper, but there wasn’t a professional designer involved at all…
How did you bury your 6×6 posts? My husband and I are planning on building a similar fort/tree house. We purchased our 6x6x16 posts, but are having trouble figuring out how deep these should go into the ground and whether they need concrete and how big the diameter of the hole, etc.
We concreted them in…
I like your ideas, but can’t find the plans? What did I miss?
We didn’t have any actual drawn out plans for it…
Where did you buy or how did you make the fire mans pole? We’re looking for one that allows a heavier weight load than the playground ones I find online. Thanks
It’s a pipe that we found on Craigslist…
Wow! What all you built is virtually identical to the list I just made of everything I want to build for our kids (six boys!) Monkey bars, fireman’s pole, zip line, slack line, climbing ropes and net, swings, slide, climbing wall, fort/playhouse/treehouse, and I also have a seesaw on my list. I love to build things and really look forward to giving our boys a bunch of fun stuff to climb and play on. We found our dream place in the country, so we are very blessed to be surrounded by nature’s playground, but I still want to give them something similar to what you built. Great job! And, congratulations on your new baby! We have a new one, too!
We are very interested in recreating your tree house for my children. Do you know the dimensions of the entire upper floor of the treehouse?
The floor dimensions are 16 x 8.
Did you use purchase a plan or make your own plans?
We made our own…
This is AWESOME! Great design and looks SO fun! We hope to build something similar in the near future. One question: did you use pressure treated wood? Thank you for sharing!
What kind of Cushing did you put at the base of the rock wall & how deep was the base. I have acquired 2 -8ft rock walls and wanted to put them outside. Plus I have already bust my shoulder falling my kids swing set. Want to keep the ER visit low.
The entire treehouse area has a basic layer of mulch surrounding it.
Did you build the playhouse yourself or did you hire? How much was it in total?
We built it. I don’t remember the exact amount but I think it was under $2k…
Katie,
I love your tree house! Do you know if all accessories were included in the total cost of 2 K (slide for example)
What did you use under the tree house? We are looking for something safe in our backyard and I’ve recently read the recycled tires can be toxic.
Organic mulch and pine straw
Thanks! Where did you find organic mulch??
I think that tree houses are for great for kids to just be themselves and relax!
I think that tree houses are for kids!
Wow! This is so awesome! the kids and I have been wanting to build a treehouse and I love this idea, there out growing there metal swing set /slide / glider/ and tetter totter and I was looking for ideas! This ones way up there!!! Thank you!
I love this treehouse! We are using it as our inspiration and hope to build something similar this spring. I was wondering if there were any changes you would make if you did it again? Something you would add or take away? My kids have been watching the video and have each picked a different feature they are saving their money for! Thanks for sharing such a great idea!
We might add some swings coming out from the side of it…
This is totally awesome. If I may ask – , I’m an avid follower of your blog, so I’m wondering, how do you have the time to do all of this? It’s seriously amazing. And, do your kids know that you are supermom? I couldn’t imagine finding the time to manage a household with this much care and love (and organic/natural positive solutions), and then, not to mention how you then pass on all of this information to others to help them. You are truly an inspiration.
Hi Katie, your blog is my ideal way of life, building a tree house with my kids was and is still a project that I want to do next summer. As others have already commented, is it possible to send a detail picture? I love it