Built a treehouse with my kids this summer - here's what I learned

3w ago1 min read

Spent about 6 weekends building a basic treehouse in our backyard oak tree with my boys ages 7 and 9. Safety railings, platform, rope ladder, the works. Cost us around 800 bucks in lumber and hardware. Best money I've spent. They helped with every step, learned basic carpentry, and now they actually play outside instead of on screens. My advice: start small, get kids involved, and don't overthink the design. Plans are everywhere online. Hardest part was resisting the urge to make it perfect and just letting them have fun.

11 comments219 views

Comments(11)

SSam T.Regular3w ago

This is incredible, man. Six weekends of quality time with your boys building something they'll remember forever? That's the stuff that matters. I'm jealous of your oak tree right now.

WWill R.Regular3w ago

Between the treehouse and little league coaching, you're packing a lot into those weekends. What's the hardest part, the building or keeping up with the energy they bring to it?

TTerry O.Regular3w ago

Love this. My kids are 7 and 9 too and they're in that sweet spot where they actually want to hang with dad. Definitely saving this post for inspo when I'm ready to tackle a project like this.

JJason B.New Dad3w ago

This is awesome. Did you use treated wood for the platforms? I want to build something similar but I'm paranoid about safety with the kids.

TTrevorRegular3w ago

This is so cool. I've been thinking about building something like this for my kids but honestly intimidated by the whole thing. What was the hardest part? Safety concerns had to be top of mind with a 7 and 9 year old up there.

JJoeyNew Dad3w ago

Six weekends for a treehouse is actually impressive. My kids would destroy whatever I built in the first afternoon. Did you have to reinforce it after a few weeks or is it holding up solid?

BBrandonRegular3w ago

This is exactly the kind of weekend mission that actually matters. Not some phone scrolling or binge watching. Building memories AND a treehouse. Your boys are going to remember this forever.

PPedroRegular3w ago

This is exactly the kind of dad win I come here for. Not just the build but teaching them something practical. Did they help with the planning too or just the construction?

CCraig M.New Dad3w ago

Now this is what I'm talking about. My daughter is only 2 but I'm already planning stuff like this. Did you follow any plans online or just wing it with what you had?

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DDerek S.Regular3w ago

Six weekends well spent man. Those are the moments your boys are gonna remember forever. How high did you end up going with it?

RRonRegular3w ago

What was the biggest challenge? I feel like getting my three to actually cooperate on a project like that would be the hard part for me.