Ready to build your kid the coolest treehouse on the block? Start here with all the info you need, including pro tips and plans!
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Ready to build your kid the coolest treehouse on the block? Start here with all the info you need, including pro tips and plans!
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
The first step is finding a sturdy tree that can handle the construction. Ideally, there’s a hardwood tree in your yard old enough so its branches are eight or more inches in diameter.
If you only have softwood trees, the branches will need to be bigger to ensure that they can handle the load. Ideal species include maple, oak, fir, beech, and hemlock.
Despite the fanciful treehouse plans you may have in mind, a few practical structure designs will be necessary:
Psst! These treehouse kits will help your children’s dreams come true.
A treehouse, especially a large one, needs a stable floor. You’ll need to center it over the trunk and allow the weight to be spread across multiple branches.
Once you’ve built a level floor, you’re in good shape to start building the walls and roof. Don’t be afraid of using shims so your beams lay evenly across the branches.
The safest way to build a treehouse? Do as much as possible from the ground first, then lift things into place. But if your tree has branches that will penetrate the structure, you may need to build those pieces in the tree. Once you complete the structure, let your kids decorate the room(s) however they want.
“I assembled the platform and house on the ground, then disassembled them,” says treehouse builder Bob Lackey. “After attaching the supports to the trees, I lifted the platform piece by piece and assembled it on the supports. An extra set of hands was needed only to raise the four walls and two roof sections. Final assembly took place in the trees.”
Most kids dream of a treehouse. But take a few safety precautions before you jump into building:
Even the most carefully built treehouses will damage the tree they’re in. The increase in foot traffic around the base compresses the soil, harming the roots. So does adding weight to the branches. And holes in the tree from fasteners can become infected.
If you have a particularly beloved tree, don’t risk the damage. Pick a different tree to build in.
Take these precautions:
Depending on your neighborhood, you may need a permit. Check your local laws before building. It’s also a good idea to check with your neighbors to make sure everyone’s OK with it. Avoid building your treehouse in a place that might infringe on their privacy or property.
To keep your kids safe, we don’t recommend building taller than eight feet. We also strongly urge you to build adequate safety railing. And warn your kids to stay out of the treehouse in a storm, especially if there’s lighting or strong winds.