Most children love to get outside and make things with their parents. It gives them a sense of pride knowing they had a hand in making the project you are working on. Below are some tips on building a tree house With your child.

The Tools

Before you get started on your tree house, determine the tools and materials you will need to make it. For example, you may need a table saw, screws, nails, bolts, lumber, handsaw, chisel, circular saw, and more. You can find everything you need at a local hardware store, like DaCorta Bros. Inc. Tell the employees the project you are planning, and they can help you choose the right supplies. If you do not have the money to purchase tools, many hardware stores let you rent them.

The Tree

Make sure you have a sturdy tree with load bearing branches. The best trees are hardwood trees, including beech, fir, maple, hemlock, and oak.

You should also check for signs of any damage to the tree, such as bark falling off. You might want to consider hiring a landscaper or tree service company to inspect the tree. An arborist can come to your home to estimate how much weight the tree can hold.

The Design

An important part of building a good tree house is the design. Some things to consider when designing your tree house include the followng:

• The slope of the floor so rain does not pool on it
• Railing posts to hold the weight of the children
• Large enough spaces for furniture to put in it
• The entrance, such as a ladder to a trapdoor

Remember when building the flooring, leave extra room around the base of the tree to accommodate for tree growth.

You can find 3D design software you can use that works great when designing your treehouse, as well as look through magazines and the internet.

The Accessories

Add some accessories to the treehouse to make it even more fun for the children. Consider attachments like rope bridges, ladders, swings, zip lines, a periscope, a flag, and a clothesline pulley to lower to the ground to get snacks and other provisions. Include binoculars inside the treehouse, as well as some water spray guns.

Make sure you know the regulations and ordinances of the city you live in before you start to build your treehouse. You do not want to get it finished and then have to tear it down. You may need to ask for permission before you start building, depending on the state you live in.