Built a treehouse with my 7yo and it's actually holding up

Nov 291 min read

Started this project thinking it'd be a disaster but my son is obsessed with woodworking lately so I figured why not. Spent 3 weekends with him helping me measure, saw, and nail planks into the oak tree in our backyard. Used a bunch of 2x8s, some rope, and honestly way too many nails because he insisted on hammering like half of them himself.

It's not pretty but it's sturdy and he won't come down from it. Wife thinks I'm crazy for the safety aspect but we've got a good rope ladder and I check it constantly. Best $200 I've spent on keeping him entertained.

7 comments267 views

Comments(7)

HHarvey L.Regular14h ago

How did you secure it to the oak tree? I've been wanting to build something like this but I'm paranoid about it falling and my kid getting hurt.

TTodd N.Regularjust now

This is genuinely impressive. Most people talk about building a treehouse with their kids and never actually do it. You actually did it AND your kid was involved the whole time. Respect.

JJoel F.Regularjust now

Wait, he helped measure and SAW? How old was he when you started? I want my 7yo to learn woodworking but I'm nervous about safety stuff.

CChris F.Regular21h ago

The fact that he insisted on way too many nails is hilarious and also very 7yo energy. I bet that treehouse is SOLID though lol.

DDan T.Regularjust now

This is so cool. Your son is gonna remember this forever. Like not just the treehouse but building it WITH you. That's the stuff kids actually care about.

MMatt J.Regular11h ago

Does he spend a lot of time in it or was it more about the building process? Asking because I feel like kids get more out of creating it than actually using it sometimes.

GGreg W.Regularjust now

Three weekends is honestly not bad for a treehouse project. We've been working on ours for like two months because I keep second-guessing the structural integrity. Your son must be thrilled.