Hey loyal readers! Sorry for the blog silence around here. Ever since school got out finding time to sit down at the computer seems nearly impossible. Actually just as I started typing this I had a little boy come and beg me to snuggle… and how can I pass that up? Although we’re working on soaking up summer and haven’t been project-ing much, we did get started on building this play-platform tree fort!
We’ve got this prime spot tucked off the side of our backyard in our woods that was just begging for a play fort.
Because it’s a clearing in the woods we are building something similar to the one we put up in North Dakota. This time though we’re planning on building it higher, and somehow connecting to a tree nearby. We’d also like to do a longer straight slide that would head directly down the sledding hill.
To build the platform first we picked up the following supplies:
-6 8′ treated 2×8’s
-2 10′ treated 2×8’s
-8 metal hangers
-18 10′ treated deck boards
-2 8′ treated 4×4’s
-5 bags of post hole concrete
We spaced the stringers every 22″. It was much easier to build this on our driveway that to attempt to build it in the woods. 
Our decking for the top came from a pile of extras that my dad had laying around! They were 113′ long so that is how long we cut our 10′ boards down to. That means our platform will end up being 8’x 9.5′. If we hadn’t have gotten the decking for free we probably would have built an 8×8′ platform again to save some money.
To keep everything square we attached one piece of decking until we raise the structure. 
Carrying it down to it’s future location was SO hard because this wood is HEAVY! Now our plan is to dig post holes, put the platform up on blocks, and then set the posts with the platform sitting in place.
As you can see Jack is pretty pumped about this construction project!
Today I wanted to share some of our DIY tree house inspiration for the treehouse that we’ll be building on top of the platform.
Eilas HouseI love how this one built a shelter beneath the play structure. I also love the thin boards as “siding”.
The Handmade HomeOn this treehouse I love how they used the back half of the platform to build the “house”. I also love how it’s “open-air”. This way I’d be able to see what the kids are doing in it!
PhotobucketI love the way they made this platform feel more like a “tree-house” by adding on a deck that integrated a tree. Once we get ours up and in place I’d like to see if we can do this!
DIY NetworkI love the bridge on this treehouse that connects it to a tree. Depending on how close to the trees ours is this might be an option for us.
ZiplineThis isn’t exactly part of the “treehouse”, but we’re hoping to do a zipline heading downhill from the platform. I’m thinking this one with the seat is feeling like the safest option.
The Design FilesI’m not sure what the structure on the platform is going to look like, but I really like the slanted modern roof of this one.
Dirt Digging SistersHere’s another house with a modern slanted roofline. I also love the cedar shakes.
Today we’re hoping to get the posts in the ground and raise the platform! Then the fun of the house design and building can actually begin!
I love all of the playhouses, slides etc. I especially love the one built for Elsia. Gorgeous!