northstory + co.

Dollhouse? No way, build a Toy Treehouse!

This project all started because I came across some pins of some really cool toy treehouses on Pinterest. About 5 minutes of scrolling for what was originally dollhouse ideas, I was like dollhouse? What dollhouse? Can we build a toy treehouse instead?!

To be fair, our kids already have and love our Fisher Price dollhouse, so a treehouse seemed like a pretty cool little addition to their world of imagination.

Time to build a Toy Treehouse!

Why build a treehouse instead of buying one? Well, if you do a quick Google search for a toy treehouse, you’ll soon realize they can easily run you anywhere from $60 – $160 per toy. That ain’t cheap.

So I took my kids for a walk and like the crazy neighbor that you always wonder what the hell they are doing holed up in their garage, I dragged home yet another massive fallen branch from the great outdoors.

Then I went to Dollarama and The Dollar Tree to pick up some wood craft supplies. So it’s a half built, half bought project.

But still a LOT less expensive.

At first I was like I am totally going to use a manual miter saw and cut my branches and do this on my own.

Within about 10 minutes of sawing I was asking my husband to come help drag out his circular saw and drill to help me slice the branches into a nice “Y” shape position for the base of the treehouse.

Let me tell you, nothing says Til Death Do Us Part like having your husbands circular saw come at your hands while you hold the tree branches off the edge of his pick up truck.

STEP 1

It went like this. I picked up 3 cutting boards – 1 big one and 2 smaller ones.

We drilled a hole into the bottom of the bigger board and used Gorilla wood glue for all the gluing of each cutting board to each respective branch.

Sanded down the tops of the sliced branches to make sure they were level.

Took over my husbands garage bench drying each board overnight untouched for 2-3 days. La, la, la…

And it wound up like this.

I had to break out the Canada love for this one. I know the US has their Fourth of July parties, celebrations and crafts going on all over blog land right now, so I had to get in on the action north of the border. Canada Day is July 1st.

ITEMS USED FOR THE TREEHOUSE PARTS

First the top treehouse ‘house’ part – this is a craft bird house that is in every single Dollarama store right now. I used simple wooden dowels and wood glue to make a log roof. The Welcome sign is from a thrift store.

Had to add in a dreamcatcher. Canada has a huge Indigenous population and this was a nod of respect to their culture and history.

The wooden wagon wheel swing is from a broken wagon lamp that we used to have. I took apart the wagon wheels to save for future crafts. It’s tied up with twine to an eye screw screwed into the branch.

The bucket (a wedding favour party supply) is attached via a plastic screw and cap that I glued to the side of the house. The twine to raise it spins around a metal bobbin case that you can get in the sewing aisle of Walmart.

The bobbins are also used as the base of the flag pole.

Each ladder was made with craft wooden dowels that were trimmed to size and then glued together. The twine was tied around for decorative purposes.

Got Moose? And a mushroom night lite.

I dedicate this post to the amazing Lynne Knowlton from Design The Life You Want To Live. If you want to see a real life treehouse go check out her site and prepare to have your mind blown at what you can make out reclaimed barn wood.

I have to thank my husband James who did majority of the work on this with all the sawing. Because me and the miter saw are just not getting along these days.

And hey, someone had to take the photos…

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70 Comments

  • Reply
    Lynne Knowlton
    June 3, 2013 at 7:39 am

    Not gonna lie. I read this blog post thinking…. oh my oh my oh my…. here is a treehouse that ROCKS OUT LOUD for kids. I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!

    Pardon all the exclamation points … I couldn’t contain myself.

    Then, I laughed out loud.. thinking how we built our treehouse for our kids and now we hog it all day and all night ~ all summer long. Too funny ! Who knew that adults could have more fun in a treehouse than kids? You are an epic MOM. You let your kids play with their treehouse. haha !

    Thanks for mentioning me ~ ahhh goosebump moment. Gotta run… I’m still chasing squirrels out of the treehouse. Here is a link, in case anyone wants to hear the squirrel story. LOL. xo

    I think this may be the post where you and I first ‘met’, isn’t it ? http://www.lynneknowlton.com/treehouse-squirrel-trouble-capital-t-trouble/

    Much love !
    Lynne xx

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:00 pm

      Umm, I’d move into your treehouse. Just sayin’…. XO

  • Reply
    Pillows A-La-Mode
    June 3, 2013 at 9:42 am

    How adorable . . . and CLEVER . . . is that??? I just love all the little details!

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:00 pm

      Thank you!! 🙂

  • Reply
    cheryl
    June 3, 2013 at 10:24 am

    ALEX!! Can you do me a favor and check under your couch for my socks… because you have just blown mine right off! This is amazing!! I am dying of cuteness overload. Lord have MERCY! Absolutely amazing! I might be slightly prejudiced because I’ve wanted one for my kids ever since I saw it ten years ago in some catalog, but I never once though about making my own!!

    Bravo, lady friend! This is amazing!

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:01 pm

      Cheryl I have missed you!! I saw the dresser…damn woman…that was stellar!

  • Reply
    Kate
    June 3, 2013 at 10:41 am

    Alex, I love this – so completely cool and original! Genius project… and the girls must absolutely love it. Once again I’m bowled over by you (and btw, I bought a huge old embroidery hoop at the weekend after being inspired by your hanging planters; I was trying to explain the idea to the lady in the junk store where I found it, but she just looked at me like she couldn’t wait for me to leave her shop…).

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:02 pm

      HAHA! Amazing! I forgot to mention if you hang it outside, make sure to protect the hoop with a watersealing agent. I forgot to write that in the post. Or else Mother Nature will destroy it.

  • Reply
    Gilit @ Shoes Off Please
    June 3, 2013 at 10:59 am

    Haha if anyone would make a treehouse, it would totally be you! It’s AWESOME! Do you secretly play with it when the kids aren’t around? Because I totally would.

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:03 pm

      I totally do. I never had toys like that as a child. Except I was into Star Wars so that was so expensive back in the day and even now.

  • Reply
    Martina
    June 3, 2013 at 11:07 am

    What a great way to re-think an old standard and make it look completely awesome at the same time. Very creative!

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:03 pm

      Thank you so much!

  • Reply
    Stacey
    June 3, 2013 at 11:53 am

    Adorable! Love all the tiny little details… like the bobbin that raises and lowers the bucket. (so creative) If I were your kids I’d be telling everyone… “my mom and dad ROCK!”. What a “tree-t” for them.

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:04 pm

      Stacey do you perhaps work in media? I don’t know where you come up with all of these nifty catch phrases and jingles? 😉

  • Reply
    now at home mom
    June 3, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    OK, lady! you are AMAZING! this is a beautiful piece! WOW! WOW! WOW! I was looking at the pictures and can’t believe what a great toy this is for your girls 😉 You amazed me again with this! 🙂
    I love everything about it, the moose, the flag and the welcome sign are my favourite accessories! 🙂 In my last project, I had difficulties with the mitre saw too but hubby was busy with the bbq and couldn’t help! 😉

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:05 pm

      We don’t do a lot of Canadiana projects do we? That is have you noticed in blogs how devoted US bloggers are to Fourth of July crafts? We just crack open a 24 and call it a day with fireworks. I think we need to change this Ingrid.

      • Reply
        now at home mom
        June 14, 2013 at 1:24 pm

        🙂 we should change this! I did notice all these beautiful Fourth of July crafts and décor featured in almost every blog! We should do Canadiana projects; you are right! your flag is perfect for this project

  • Reply
    ScrapAndSalvage
    June 3, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    this is soooo adorable!! you have two lucky girls!!! you’re every parent’s worst nightmare maybe. HA! i LOVE this.

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:06 pm

      Oh trust me. I may do crafts but if you told me to entertain random drop in guests on the spot I’d be horrified. My house is an epic disaster. Just trying to clean a room to show say a DIY shot can be like an all day event.

  • Reply
    Roar Sweetly
    June 3, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    So fabulous! Last week I was just at the Australian Museum in the children’s play area where they had a groovy looking dolls house carved out of wood which my son was drawn to. I took some photos on my phone….knowing I would never have the skills or knowledge to replicate it. However this is gorgeous and definitely do-able. Will be pinning this one, thanks!

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:09 pm

      Definitely make him one if you can! Wooden toys are classic!

  • Reply
    Growing Up in the Garden
    June 3, 2013 at 11:14 pm

    That is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. My daughter would LOVE something like this. Kudos!

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:10 pm

      Thank you! I totally think you should make her one if you get a chance. I’d have used more free materials like cut slabs from a tree but we have nothing of that sorts in the area unfortunately.

  • Reply
    Jennifer @ Brave New Home
    June 4, 2013 at 3:02 am

    This is amazing! Wooden cutting boards, how genius! Haha, I totally had an embarrassing, got red in the face, I can totally cut this wood with a manual saw moment at Home Depot and wished for my husband to magically appear ; ]

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:11 pm

      Oh Jen me and the Mitre saw. I feel your pain. I was trying to manually go through the branch and it was so embarrassing. I was like where is the circular saw already.

  • Reply
    Green Door Hospitality
    June 4, 2013 at 9:51 am

    This is so fantastic, Alex!! Absolutely love it!
    Kenley

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:12 pm

      Thank you Kenley!! I found you on Twitter btw! Woo hoo

  • Reply
    Samantha K
    June 4, 2013 at 10:10 am

    That is amazing!!! Great job!
    (PS Welcome to Social Fabric!)

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:12 pm

      Thank you and Thank you!

  • Reply
    Victoria • Restoring our Victorian
    June 4, 2013 at 10:42 am

    Too cute! I love the flag and the welcome sign!

    Just the other day, I said to Paul—what would I DO? If you weren’t so handy? He was like—I guess you wouldn’t ask me to do nine-million projects I have no interest in?

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      Yeah see if one day we should ever meet in person, him and James can go have a conversation about the ‘great ideas’ their wives have to do around the house that – ummm…we don’t do ourselves.

  • Reply
    Kelly (Cobwebs, Cupcakes And Crayons)
    June 4, 2013 at 11:13 am

    Alex, that is just adorable!! What a clever idea!

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      Thank you Kelly!!

  • Reply
    fynesdesigns
    June 4, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    What an ah-mazing idea!! Great photos, it really looks like a Canadian project!

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:14 pm

      I think we need more Canadian projects? Maybe we should start a DIY Canuck blogger challenge…hmmm…

  • Reply
    Sarah
    June 5, 2013 at 1:53 am

    Oh my goodness, that’s SO COOL! Every little detail! I wish I’d had one when I was growing up and I wish I had kids now to make one for 😛

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:15 pm

      I think based on your awesome blog that if you cook and bake, you should make one but use it as a serving tray for say cupcakes or h’ordevours.

  • Reply
    Danielle from Storypiece
    June 7, 2013 at 1:53 am

    Okay, please tell me you had so much fun doing this. It looks incredible! And all the details give away that you were totally into putting this thing together. I can’t get over all the goodies that you incorporated that came from the dollar store. Very brilliant, lady!

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 10, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      If by fun you mean James cut all the pieces of wood for me then it totally rocked!! No really holding the tree branch with the circular saw at me was a test of my wedding vows.

  • Reply
    April
    June 10, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    This is amazing!!! Love it and I wish I had these ideas. My kids would love this!!!!!

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 13, 2013 at 9:21 am

      I really have to put this on a To Do list for one of their birthdays. Now to go find another branch by the pond…

  • Reply
    Vanessa @ See Vanessa Craft
    June 12, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    Love!! I hope you’ll link this up to our Summer Camp series: http://seevanessacraft.com/2013/06/summer-camp-link-up-your-summer-crafts-activities/

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 13, 2013 at 9:21 am

      Now that I know about it I totally will!! Thanks for letting me know!

  • Reply
    paula schuck
    June 13, 2013 at 7:05 pm

    That is exceptional work. I love it. I will try one like this in the summer.

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 27, 2013 at 10:57 am

      Thank you Paula!

  • Reply
    Gretchen
    June 13, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    oh, wow–that is amazing! I’ve always admired those tree houses from a distance because they’re so expensive–what a great idea to make your own! pinning 🙂

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 27, 2013 at 10:58 am

      Yay for pinning! Thanks for checking it out.

  • Reply
    Dani @ lifeovereasy
    June 13, 2013 at 9:30 pm

    O.M.G. – just love love love your little treehouse! who knows, maybe there is a really cool adult version somewhere in your future 😉

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 27, 2013 at 10:58 am

      If I move to a farmhouse down the line, I’ll just convert the imaginary barn in the backyard to that. I’d love one of those!

  • Reply
    Time With Thea
    June 17, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    LOVE, LOVE , LOVE IT! How creative and yet so simple. I have to admit being Canadian I really love the moose and the Canadian flag. Pinterest… here we come! Take Care, Thea

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 27, 2013 at 10:59 am

      We’re good at doing all things camping and outdoorsy up here in the north so I figure it’s time to get a little Canadiana going. 🙂

  • Reply
    Christina
    June 24, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    I didn’t see this post before. And I kinda wish I wouldn’t have now…because the crazy miniatures person in me now NEEDS to make a scale treehouse.

    And I love how you used cutting boards too.

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 27, 2013 at 11:00 am

      Your mini home is ridiculously and I mean ridiculously perfect. It’s a work of art. You are so talented I would love to see your take on a Fairy or a Tree House. I can just imagine.

  • Reply
    Randi Sowders
    June 25, 2013 at 12:25 am

    I love everything about this. I saw it just recently on Pinterest and I am so happy to stumble upon you again! I am totally going to make one for my kids, it will go great with the nature blocks I made them a few weeks ago.

    I know this is a tad of an older post but I would absolutely love it if you linked up with us this week!

    http://www.sowderingabout.com/2013/06/on-display-monday-7.html

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 27, 2013 at 11:02 am

      Ack! Sorry I’m just getting to this now. Definitely try and make one. PS – love your washi tape cards!

  • Reply
    Dyan
    June 27, 2013 at 10:40 am

    This treehouse is beyond adorable! I made some Canadian peg dolls the other day and they *NEED* a home like this! I’ve pinned and shared since there is such a sad amount of Canada Day activities for young kids and I have been sharing everything and anything that I can find.

    • Reply
      Alex
      June 27, 2013 at 11:04 am

      Thanks so much Dyan! I totally agree with you about the Canada crafts. I was going through my Blog Reader this past month and it was saturated with Fourth of July crafts, decor and projects and I sat there thinking Where’s the Canada Love? Why aren’t Canadians doing this for Canada Day? I think it’s high time this changed.

  • Reply
    Shari G
    June 27, 2013 at 11:30 am

    WOW that is super cute!! Love it!

  • Reply
    Inspire Me Heather
    June 28, 2013 at 10:26 am

    Oh my gosh that is SO. STINKIN. CUTE! Happy Canada Day!!

  • Reply
    Leila (@whatiadore)
    June 29, 2013 at 12:43 am

    WHAT?! that is absolutely amazing! good job to your hubby and your vision. Love that moose! lol too cute. Hope that dollhouse stays for years to come, what a great piece. #TGCBB

  • Reply
    dangerousann
    June 29, 2013 at 9:47 am

    Wow! You are HANDY #tgcbb

  • Reply
    Jennifer
    June 29, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    That looks amazing! #TGCBB

  • Reply
    sstacie
    June 30, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    Wow that is beautiful!! I’m impressed! I love how you added a Canadian flair to it.

  • Reply
    Shannon
    July 1, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    The perfect craft to celebrate the day! Oh we are doing this!

  • Reply
    Bethany the ngnrdgrl
    July 4, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    This is so awesome!!! I have never been a traditionalist, so this is the perfect dollhouse for me {ahem, my future children}! What a lovely thing to make. I am pinning this right now! Thanks for sharing with us!

  • Reply
    NPC
    July 9, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    Umm, this is absolutely gorgeous. If I was more creative, I would totally make this. Maybe I’ll bug my Hubs to make it! This is a cute dollhouse but makes an excellent bird feeder! Thanks for participating in The Great Canadian Blog Bash and we are very happy to have you! #TGCBB

    Nancy

  • Reply
    Christina @ The DIY Mommy
    July 10, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    This is adorable and amazing! How sweet. I bet your kids just LOVED playing with it! Stopping by from #TGCBB!

  • Reply
    littlemisskateco
    July 11, 2013 at 10:31 pm

    That is one awesome house!

    Thanks for taking part in #TGCBB
    http://littlemisskate.ca/2013/06/the-count-down-to-canada-day-fun-canada-facts-tgcbb/

  • Reply
    Sarah C.
    June 17, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    What a clever idea! I bet my son would enjoy this. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  • Reply
    Emma @ P is for Preschooler
    August 4, 2015 at 1:13 am

    Way too complicated for my limited crafting abilities, but I totally love this awesome tree house!

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