A Google search or a scan on Pinterest for kids tree houses may have your eyes widening and your mind throwing that straight into the too-hard basket! It would be justified, with most kids tree houses seeming to be permanent, expensive and laborious structures. A lot of us don’t even have trees that sturdy to build a tree house on!
But you kids tree houses needn’t be so complicated! Besides, if the kids make it themselves or with you, they are much more likely to fall in love with it and spend more time in it. With summer time and school holidays just around the corner, you might be dreading the sibling squabble and the excess screen time. Avoid that by making something that will take minutes and leave you with hours of peace!
What you need
Sheets – Use large flat sheets or some tent material to provide some shade and comfort!
Hula-hoop – Set the hula hoop in between branhes or just near a branch on the bottom of the tree
Rope – Rope can be used to tie the sheets around the hula hoop or secure the hula hoop to the tree
Optional items
Plank of wood – For extra security, nail a plank of wood to the tree then attach the hula hoop to hang the sheets down from
Cardboard Signs – Get the kids to decorate and make their own cardboard signs to hang out the front of their exclusive club house.
Cushions, pillows – Add some comfort by popping some cushions on branches. If the sheets are hanging onto the ground then pop them inside the tree ‘tent’ for a comfy place to sit.
Activities
You can supply these activities in buckets outside the tree house so the kids can choose what they’d like to do. It makes for an easier pack-up as well.
Tea Party
Keep it real or imaginary! Why not allow children to dress up and have a superhero lunch or an Alice in Wonderland feast? The choice is theirs!
Arts and Crafts
There is nothing more relaxing than crafting outside. Put all their favourite craft items in a bucket, along with some recyclables and let them have fun. For older kids, put a few instruction sheets in there on how to make basic outside items like cup walkie talkies and let them enjoy.
Books
Mix their favourites with a few new ones and why not add a torch in there too.
Pulley
Use your leftover rope with a simple pulley on the tree. Attach the rope to a lightweight basket and let them pulley their treasures up and down the tree.
Into tree houses and off screens
It doesn’t have to be costly or time consuming. It just needs to be fun and get your children outdoors! After all, isn’t that what summer school holidays are for? Get building your tree house and share your photos with us!
