These treehouse kits are a DIYer's dream, and they'll help your children's dreams come true, too.
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8 Treehouse Kits to Make Your Backyard the Place for Family Fun
Updated on Sep. 19, 2024
Setting up a treehouse is a win-win idea. Your children will happily spend time away from technology for once, and you’ll have a few minutes of peace and quiet. It goes without saying that you’ll want the structure to be stable, safe and durable for as long as they’re small enough to use it. Our roundup of the best treehouse kits provides options for the DIYer who knows their way around a hammer.
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The Tahoe
One of the coolest tree house kits on our list is the Tahoe treehouse, which allows any handy DIYer to construct either a lone platform or a platform with a house. The plans come with detailed photos, instructions and multiple ways to contact the company if you require help during construction. Be aware that some municipalities may require government approval before you can start building your treehouse.
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The Finger Lakes
While many tree house kits require two trees, the Finger Lakes Rectangular Treehouse plan only needs one. It does require special equipment, but the result is a 163.5-square-foot platform that supports a small structure. The plans detail multiple ways to ensure your treehouse is safe.
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Alpino Treehouses
Alpino Treehouses are built on one or two trees and use fewer materials than most tree house kits, which saves you time and money, especially if you use reclaimed materials. The interior is 28 square feet, and the ceilings are 4 feet 2 inches, so your kids won’t even need a “No Adults Allowed” sign to keep you out. Access the house via the trap door built into the roof. Furthermore, there are three windows at either end for your little adventurers. Here are a few cool ideas for kids’ tree houses.
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Zelkova Treehouse
The Zelkova Treehouse plans were made with functionality in mind, as this tree house kit is constructed as a freestanding platform (meaning no trees are required) and comes with a covered deck. Endless customizations can be added on as the outer layer is made of plywood. It’s a great outdoor alternative for an indoor playhouse.
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A-Frame Treehouse
An A-Frame Treehouse is a good pick for people who want an easy-to-build, straightforward backyard treehouse. Since the plans include details for a pulley with a bucket, one can send lunch or snacks to the treehouse without having everyone come down. The plans are suited for single-tree use but can also be built as a freestanding treehouse.
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Outpost Treehouse Fort
While it’s more of an observation deck than a treehouse, the Outpost Treehouse Fort is still guaranteed to give your children hours of outdoor playtime—or a better vantage point to pelt you with water balloons. Add customizations to this treehouse or add it to an existing treehouse kit.
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San Pedro Treehouse
With 64 square feet of floor space, of which 55 square feet are protected from the elements, the San Pedro Treehouse is one of the roomier tree house kits around. There are options to make it tall enough for adults, and it can be built on one tree or as a freestanding backyard playhouse.
Tree Deck
The Tree Deck is an open platform tree house kit that’s perfect for people with heavily-wooded backyards who want to camp out but don’t want to sleep on the cold, hard ground. The stable platform supports hot tubs, chairs or hammocks for a nice view while you relax.
What to Look for in a Treehouse Kit
Tree size and health
Not all trees are suitable for houses. If you want your structure to stand and last, you’ll want to make sure the tree you’re trying to build is strong enough and not subject to falling. Dead trees are a no-go, as they are brittle and could fall under the pressure of a treehouse and its inhabitants, causing undue damage and harm. A good general rule to follow is to check the trunk’s diameter. A tree on level ground with a trunk of 10 inches is a good place to start, but the larger, the better.
Treehouse design
Do you want to build a house on a single tree trunk? You’ll need a kit specifically designed for that. Do you have a grouping of trees you think could support your treehouse? That’s another style of kit. Ensuring the kit you want is compatible with the trees on your land is essential to finding the right kit. Sure, some measure of customization can be done regardless, but you still need a reliable starting point.
Regulations and legal concerns
Ultimately, a treehouse is a construction project. That means there may be legal concerns to deal with, like permits. Furthermore, if you live in a place with a Home Owners Association (HOA), there may be other regulations. Ensure you have all your bases covered long before you “break ground” on that treehouse project. Otherwise, it could be deemed untenable and must be torn down, which may come with fines and other penalties.
Professional help
Unless you are a carpenter or homebuilder, you might not have the skills and know-how to safely build a treehouse. In that case, you should consider getting help from professionals. Obviously, this will increase your initial investment, but the tradeoff is that you’re getting something carefully and safely constructed. For the safety of your family and friends, I highly recommend contracting with professionals.
Why You Should Trust Us
I started my construction career at the tender age of 12, at which point I poured my first cubic yard of cement. For years after that, I worked in maintenance for everything from residential condos to city high-rises. I then parlayed that expertise into an award-winning career as a journalist specializing in product testing and reviews. I even moved from NYC to North Carolina to be closer to the great outdoors. I believe that makes me uniquely qualified to judge these treehouse kits.
How We Picked the Best Treehouse Kits
Safety should be the primary concern when building something like a treehouse. With that in mind, I researched treehouse kits from reputable makers and brands with quality materials and detailed instructions (and safety guides). Then, I cross-referenced those kits with their overall popularity and customer testimonials to ensure this guide contained only the best of the best.
FAQ
How much does it cost to build a treehouse?
If you want it to be safe and last for a long time, the construction of a treehouse will probably be pretty pricey. The average cost is just shy of $10,000. Getting professional help will cost you even more. However, that investment will also ensure your structure is soundly and safely built. What’s the cost of safety, after all?
Why are treehouses so expensive?
As mentioned, a big portion of the investment ensures that your treehouse is built safely and made to last. And that doesn’t just mean how it’s constructed, but also what it’s constructed out of. You want high-quality materials to ensure the floor doesn’t fall from under you and yours. Cutting corners on cost might seem like an easy way to save a buck, but it also increases your overall risk.
What is the best tree to build a treehouse in?
There’s no hard and fast rule on which kind of tree is best for a treehouse, but deciduous or coniferous trees—like oak, Douglas fir, maple and cedar—are usually sturdy and reliable, so long as they are kept in good health. Softer wood trees, like pine, are less sturdy and reliable for supporting a structure.
How long will a treehouse last?
So long as it is well-built and properly maintained, your treehouse could last 10-20 years or longer (especially with increased care and reinforcement).
