My tree house and me

Shenali BOTEJU

It is many a child's dream to have a tree house of their own. Yet here in Sri-Lanka, that same enthusiasm is not shared by the local children. Every one knows what a cricket crazed country Sri-Lanka is. Therefore it is no surprise that little kids, especially boys, like to do nothing better than swing a bat with all their might. Which is why they lose out on the joys and splendour of owning and sharing a tree house.

A tree house is a place where imagination is let loose. All kids love a private getaway-place for friends to play. The best thing about tree houses is that it guarantees plenty of fun. It may cost only a trifle, able to be put together by a few odds and ends you can find in your tool shed or garden, and is not at all complicated. It can be built on a large tree.

You only need to know the basics if you are not familiar with the layout of a tree house. You need a sturdy tree to ensure your child's safety. Clip all unwanted small branches that might get in the way. Use sheets of plywood. Using wood screws is more ideal to attach the plywood, which would serve as the floor of the tree house. Bolt a wooden ladder to the tree house in the entryway. Remember to make sure it is sturdy enough to hold your childs weight. And last, finish it off with a coating of outdoor paint. Make it a point to avoid using the tree house until the paint is thoroughly dry. For more detailed descriptions on building tree houses, surf the web or get down books on the subject.

You might want to make the tree house look more exciting. Use a rope ladder instead of the traditional wooden one to add an interesting effect. Cut the sides of the tree house in fun shapes to make secret escape routes. You may cut them in the shapes of pirate ships, castles, or space shuttles. Like wise there are many ways to make your tree house fun to use. There are a wide range of designs for a tree house.

The layout of your property can help determine which style works best. The most famous and widely demanded is the A-frame tree house. It is the ideal option if you have only one suitable tree to choose from. For a decorative touch, it can be painted in bright, vivid colours. A Dutch door and a staircase can be added for easy access. This sort of tree house will turn out to be ideal for stargazing with friends on those clear nights. To make your access even easier, you may cut a hole in the floor to insert a ladder.

Remember, when it comes to decorations, the only limitation is your imagination. There are a variety of themes to choose from, and you may pick any of them. The more creative, the better. But it should be what you desire. A tinker bell theme is ideal if you are a girl. You can use fabrics covered in fairy print to do the curtains. Place tinker bell or any other fairy figurines on shelves or table tops. Be sure to have tiny containers of fairy dust made from glitter to add to the effect. You may place them on the windowsills. In addition to all of this, be sure to make the tree house as homely as possible. After all, you and your friends will be spending most of your time up there. A telescope and a pair of binoculars will come in handy. Be sure to have stacks of books and magazines. You can even keep a laptop for educational purposes and connect it to Wi-Fi!

Your tree house is your secret, and it is the best place to be if you need to cool off after an argument or simply to have some quality time of your own. Whatever the reason, having a tree house will most certainly provide you with wonderful memories to remember.