Begin with a Plan

A treehouse should be constructed with the same care and attention to detail that you would give the construction of your own home. Begin with planning which tree it will be in, which direction it will face, where the front door will be, the best route to where your platform will be, how much shade it will get, etc. Each could mean the difference between a great experience for your child or one they will tire of quickly. The better planned your treehouse is, the safer it will be.

The All-Important Platform

A safe treehouse begins with a safe platform to build upon. Your platform should be sturdy, close to the trunk of the tree, no more than five to six feet off the ground for you child's safety, and well supported by branches or posts. Make sure it is level and can stand uneven loads so it doesn't sway as you or your children walk across it.

Building the Treehouse

Once your plan and platform are in place, you can begin building the actual treehouse. Begin with the floor making it as resistant to injuring your child as possible. It would be a good idea to use actual flooring material like pre-finished tongue and groove hardwood or carpet tiles. If your treehouse is big, you may find it easier to construct your walls on the ground then haul them into place and secure them rather than building them on the platform. Finish off your treehouse with a roof that will keep out the elements.

Doors and Windows

If you are installing real doors and windows rather than just openings which are not as safe, be sure to use plexiglass or some other sort of shatter resistant material rather than real glass which can cause significant injuries if it breaks.

Deck

If your treehouse has a deck, be sure to add railings with slats and stiles close enough that your children cannot fall through them.

Treehouse Access

The most common form of treehouse access is with a ladder. If you are greatly concerned about the safety of your children, you could construct stairs with a railing to access the treehouse. If your children are a bit more adventurous, access to the treehouse could be gained by a climbing rope. With whatever type of access you decide to build, make sure it is properly built, stable, and as safe as possible. If your treehouse access is easily fallen off of, you may want to install a rope and harness to help minimize injuries. It is a good idea to install safety matting, a cushioning material, or a sandpit below your treehouse access to minimize any injuries a child could get if they fell.

Maintenance

Once the treehouse is built you need to maintain it to keep it safe for your children. Regularly inspect it and look for signs of deterioration or weakness in the platform, flooring, railings, treehouse access, roof or walls. The tree you build your treehouse around will have grown as well, which may cause some weakness in the structure of the treehouse. Be aware of all aspects of your treehouse and your children will be much safer in their play.