1Add a Swing
Charles Mayer Photography This treehouse from Hollander Design looks nice enough to live in full-time. It also comes complete with a curly slide and a simple swing.
2Fill It With Cushions
Fantastic Frank Keep things small and simple. This cute treehouse features a pretty pop of minty green paint on the interior. A few striped floor pillows make it a comfy clubhouse.
3Stay on the Ground
James Merrell Who says a treehouse has to be on stilts? On this upstate New York property, designer Anthony Baratta embraced the summer camp atmosphere and created a little log cabin hideout among the trees.
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4Hang a Tire Swing
Yellow Dog Productions//Getty Images Keep it classic (and scrappy) with a rope swing! You can also add monkey bars if you're feeling ambitious.
5Build Bunks Inside
House Beautiful This little oasis tucked into the trees and designed by Jill Morris is an ideal guest room or daytime hideout for kids.
6Add on a Porch
House Beautiful An exterior view of this dreamy one-room guesthouse designed by Jill Morris proves that a wraparound porch isn't just for the main house.
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7Build a Gazebo Treehouse
Apatsara//Getty Images Build an elevated gazebo instead of a treehouse. That way, it'll look elevated enough for you to enjoy after your kids outgrow it.
8Give It Fairytale Flair
Kolupaev//Getty Images With its faux half-timbering, arched doorway, and brightly colored roof, this treehouse cottage looks like something straight out of a Disney movie, so it's sure to spark their imagination.
9Get a Treehouse Bed
Studio Life/Style If you think nothing can get your kid excited for bedtime, think again. This dreamy kid's room designed by Studio Life/Style proves that you don't need a backyard to have an epic treehouse. This treehouse bed from Pottery Barn Kids makes it easy to build your own.
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10Hang String Lights
DAVID HILLEGAS Hanging string lights overhead will make your treehouse feel even more otherworldly and magical to little ones and grownups alike.
11Connect Two Treehouses
House Beautiful The only thing better than having one treehouse in your backyard is having two treehouses in your backyard that are connected by a suspension bridge. We love the castle-like crenelated walls, arrowslit windows, and flagpole on this one—not to mention that awesome climbing net.
12Build a Castle Treehouse
Sara Tramp This treehouse in a backyard designed by Emily Henderson takes things up a notch. Instead of going with a basic treehouse design, she made it look like a castle—complete with a drawbridge-like entrance.
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13Consider the View
Maremagnum//Getty Images Placement is everything. This modern treehouse got the prime real estate overlooking a vineyard. The adjacent swing ensures the supervising adults get to relax and enjoy it too.
14Put It by a Pool
Studio Lifestyle This play structure in a backyard by Studio Life/Style isn't a treehouse by definition, but it's just as fun thanks to the adjacent pool and waterslide. Plus, it's on stilts, so it has the same elevated effect you'd get from a classic treehouse.
15Go Low
Commune Design Don't want to build a treehouse in the actual trees? Mimic the look with a wooden hut on low stilts. This one designed by Commune is an idyllic escape. Its interior features a built-in loveseat, plenty of cushions, and mesmerizing stained glass windows.
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16Pick a Prefab Treehouse
Wayfair They'll feel like they're up in the trees—without you worrying about them falling out of the tree—if you opt for a prefab play structure like this one.
17Stick to a Simple Treehouse
Courtesy of Capturing Joy It's not fancy, but a treetop platform like this one gets the job done without you breaking every bone in your body trying to build it.
Get the tutorial at Capturing Joy.
18Install a Zip Line
Courtesy of Barbara Butler Your kiddos can feel like Tarzan swinging through the trees! They'll love coming down for dinner if it's actually fun to do it.
Learn more at Barbara Butler.
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19Use a Treehouse Guided Building Plan
Etsy Not sure how to build a treehouse? Choose from a series of guides and plans to make the whole process easier. Here are some great options.
20Try a Split-Level Treehouse
Courtesy of Be A Fun Mum This two-tier treehouse has double the fun potential. Even adults will be tempted to climb that rock wall and see the view from the top.
Get the tutorial at Be A Fun Mum.
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