How to Make a Child-FriendlyTree House

Who doesn't remember growing up wishing for the perfect tree house? If you were like me, all you wanted was a place you could go to get away from it all, and what better place than a tree house? Constructing a tree house that is child-friendly isn't all that difficult. As long as you make sure it is solid and secure, you can make a child-friendly tree house your kids will cherish for a long time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tree
• Ladder
• Wood
• Nails
• Hammer
• Saw
• Rope
• Tarps

1. Purchase different sizes of plywood. The substructure of the child-friendly tree house must be solid. Plywood makes a strong foundation. Because trees vary in the size and shape of their limbs and branches, different sizes of plywood will be needed. Take a good look at the tree to get an idea of what boards you will need to ensure you buy the right sizes and shapes.

2. Secure your ladder by tying it to the tree. You will need constant access to the upper parts of the tree. Going up and down a ladder can be dangerous, so make sure it is completely secure. If you choose a tree that is easy to climb, you won't need a ladder.

3. Use a saw for cutting your boards if you did not buy them precut. Before you carry the boards up the ladder to place in the tree, make sure they are the right fit. If you have to do any cutting, a hand saw or a table saw will do.

4. Carry your boards up the ladder and place them strategically in the tree. Most boards can be wedged in between the limbs. To ensure the final tree house will be child-friendly and safe, try to wedge the boards as tightly as possible. If the boards are tight, even before nailing them down, there is a better chance they will stay in place.

5. Tie as many of the boards as you can to the limbs with rope. The more rope you can use, the fewer nails you will need. Of course, the boards will not be completely secure without using some nails, but try to use more rope than nails.

6. Hammer 16d nails into the boards, through the tree limbs, in as many areas as necessary. To ensure your tree house is child-friendly and safe, the boards must be tightly held into place. When a child climbs up the tree to access the tree house, the plywood has to hold them.

7. Place plastic tarps in the tree, above your board structure, to provide shelter. Children find it thrilling to sit in a tree house in the rain. The tarps will not only keep the rain out but also protect kids from the hot rays of the sun.

Tips & Warnings

• If at all possible, choose a tree that is easy to access. Also try to find a tree with widespread and low limbs. Some trees make much better tree houses than others, and the shape of some trees are much better equipped for making tree houses child-friendly.
• Unfortunately, there is always the issue, when building a tree house, that hammering nails into a tree will kill it. The sad fact is, that to make a tree house child-friendly, it must be secured. Using rope and tying the boards to the tree is always an option; just be careful. Unless you use lots of rope tied around lots of limbs, your tree house structure will not hold your kids. It's okay to experiment with different options before deciding. Just make sure your tree house is fully able to support your kids' weight before letting them up there.