Treehouses & Playhouses You Can Build

by David R. Stiles

Treehouses & Playhouses You Can Build shows how average "do-it-yourself" families can easily and affordably bring to life a "Hobbit's Treehouse," a "Pirate's Playhouse," or a "Crow's Nest" in their own backyards! There are a lot of books out there filled with enchanting photos of elaborate treehouses and playhouses built by professionals and costing tens of thousands to build. For the rest of us, there's bit of elbow grease, a lot of imagination, a trip to the hardware store-and Treehouses & Playhouses You Can Build. Authors David and Jeanie Stiles are the best-selling authors of a number of books on treehouses with sales of over 150,000 copies. They have created another straightforward how-to-build book filled with beautiful hand-drawn step-by-step illustrations that are easy to follow and describe in detail how to create each project. They include tips on budgeting, using basic tools, buying materials, and kid- and adult-friendly instructions! Even for DIY novice types, this book simplifies the building process and inspires families of all types to work together and build cool stuff.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening, Nature

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2006

Reviews

[EA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some nice ideas but overall a bit simplistic for me.

[Shira and Ari Evergreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of cute illustrations and many inspiring photos of treehouses and playhouses. It includes tips on safety, saving money at the lumberyard, working with the natural growth and movement of trees, using salvaged materials, and making fun extras like drawbridges and swings. The authors seem to have great respect for children and their need for (safe!) private play spaces that are conducive to learning and using the imagination.

[Reading Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed like a funny mix to me. The designs were pretty complex for a true beginner. Some great inspiration though, as well as some really good considerations for how to go about attaching treehouses to living (and moving) trees. Worth looking at the pictures, at least.

[Kar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to build it? Don't know what you're doing? Don't want to damage your trees, or your kids? This is an important book that will walk you through your build.

[David Tzeutschler]

Great diagrams, variety of mounting options.

[Eric Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book that encouraged creativity as well as good building practice. I'm so glad I used as my primary guide to design and build my first treehouse.