Building The Perfect Treehouse

The first step to building the perfect tree house is to make sure that it has a sound foundation. Pick a sturdy, fully grown tree that can handle the weight and make allowance for movement in case of further growth or strong wind. Limit the height of the tree house to avoid nasty falls. You can have ladders or spiral stairs but make sure they are strong enough to carry the weights of adults - just in case you want to pop over to give the little ones milk and cookies!

While a plain and boring tree house is adequate, you can do something to fire up your kids' imagination. Make it a medieval or fairy tale castle, an open jungle machan style or even a UFO stuck on a tree - who says a tree house can't look like a flying saucer?

Ensure that the tree house doesn’t take away from the beauty of the tree. Strike up a compromise between a unique, imaginative structure and one that feels right at home in its surroundings. Give it an exterior finish with colors that don't make it stick out like a sore thumb.

Turn the tree house into a playground that allows your kids to live out live out their adventure fantasies. Here are a few basic ideas:

• Add an enjoyable and challenging entrance, such as a vertical rope net or a climbing wall. For exits, try slides or rope swings, depending on how daring your child is. You can always place a soft landing on the ground below it as a safety precaution.

• Use creative storage containers, such as treasure chests for a pirate-themed tree house, or secret floorboards to add an element of excitement and discovery.

• Add books and board games to wean your kids away from gadgets.

• Mount a periscope to allow them an interesting method of observing surroundings from the treetops.

• Place a flag at the very top of the roof with your children’s’ names or artwork on it as a mark of their territory.