Amy's Blog

Building a treehouse for the kids is a great way to keep them entertained and give them a sense of independence with their own little pretend home. Because of the precarious nature of a tree house and the importance of your child’s safety, it is vital to construct the treehouse correctly to avoid any accidents. The key to making the treehouse safe is to ensure the basics are attended to from the very start.

Choosing a Tree
Picking the right tree is the most important and basic step of the treehouse building process. A large tree with thick sturdy branches is best, and examples of preferable types include oak, beech, fir, maple and hemlock. The area of the tree that is going to be used as the support beneath the house should be around 10 feet off the ground. This means it is high enough to be fun for the kids, but not so far up that a fall from the house will cause serious injury.

Getting Permission
Once you pick a tree that you want to build in, you must next obtain legal permission to construct your treehouse. An application must be made to your local planning commission outlining the plan for the treehouse. The commission will then assess the plan and likely give your neighbors a chance to object on the grounds that an elevated treehouse may encroach on their privacy. Because of this, notifying your neighbors yourself might make them more likely to agree to the project.

Protecting the Tree
The tree ultimately supports your treehouse structure, so it is important to make sure it stays healthy. To aid with this, choosing the least damaging building methods is vital. Nails tend to do the least damage to the tree, so wherever possible they should be used to secure the structure. Bolts are sturdier and hold better, but they do cause slightly more damage to the tree. Whether using nails or bolts, opt for galvanized options as these will not rust so quickly and will cause less damage. Try not to restrict branch movement too much when attaching the structure as the tree needs to move with the wind to avoid breakage during storms. Movement of the treehouse structure should also be minimized to avoid rubbing off areas of tree bark and exposing branches to undue damage.

The most important thing to consider when starting a treehouse project is whether or not you can accomplish it safely and produce a sturdy structure. If your carpentry skills are not the best then it is perhaps a good idea to enlist the help of a professional. Reckless building only puts your children at risk and that, of course, is a mistake no parent wants to make.

The outdoors is a wild and adventurous place to play for children. These fun outdoor activities for children will have them exploring the wonders of nature and enjoying the fresh air and vigorous exercise that outdoor activities encourage.

Take a nature hike. Even if you live in a city, there are nearby parks and places to look for nature and maybe have a picnic. Encourage your child to examine the trees, plants, bugs and wildlife you find on the trail. When appropriate, collect small specimens such as rocks or leaves. If you have a microscope at home, prepare slides of pond water, insect wings or even dirt and find out what these items look like up close.

Sports are another exciting way to bring the outdoors to your children. Finding a place with a playground, basketball hoops, baseball diamonds or even horseshoe pits can be a valuable resource. Some communities host little league teams where camaraderie combine with good sportsmanship and the outdoors.

Individualized sports such as jumping rope or hopscotch can be exciting elements to a boring day. Teach your child how to draw a hopscotch square on the sidewalk with just chalk, then use a small, flat pebble to play hopscotch.

Winter weather brings on a whole plethora of fun, outdoor sports. Making snow angels, snow forts and snowmen can add a creative element to your yard. Add a squirt bottle of colored water to paint the snow. Grab a sled and find a hill and go zipping down to the end. For those lucky enough to live near ski resorts, consider signing your child up for ski or snowboard lessons and teach them snow and avalanche safety. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing is always a good, bonding family activity.

Water sports are another way to get close to nature. Some cities have small fishing ponds and other places have giant lakes. Be sure to get a fishing license or look up free fishing days for kids. Cast out your hook and cross your fingers that the big one bites. Boating, water skiing and even swimming are great outdoor activities. Even going to you local community pool is an amazing time. You can sign up for Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York swimming lessons.  Swim lessons are popular during the summer for toddlers and it is a lot of fun.

With any activity there is a certain amount of risk. Be sure to take the proper safety precautions when participating in any fun outdoor activities for children. Keep a close eye on children around water and check weather conditions before heading outside. Enjoy Mother Nature and learn to love and respect her with kids.