Need a little advise. I'm building this for the kids, no plans just winging it. Wanted to pick your brains as to what else I can do to make it more safe and fun? I am going to add braces on the top and the opening on the bottom.

This was my jacuzzi concrete platform but it go old and we got rid of it. The electric box was connected to the jacuzzi but also connects to all the electricity in the back (present owners work). I'm going to build something around that to keep it away from the kids.

Handrails on the steps. Climbing wall on the outside, made with blocks of wood and holes cut into a wall of flooring boards. mulch below for soft landings. or Fireman's pole

You didn't say how old they are.

4" max openings in railings to keep little curious heads from getting stuck.

ladder up to a 2nd story / loft.

maybe a built in small table with bench.

They are 10, 8, 7

No advice, just had to say you’re a good Dad and that is a damn cool thing to do for your kids. Good luck!

Agree with cparktd.
Continuing with the 4" rule you should also put a riser on each step to keep them (or a leg) from going through the stairs.

Don't know how hot it gets there but maybe consider some sort of shade...

A turret???

Before i can help, a question or two:
1. Which wall will the big screen tv and surround sound mounted and what are the components and,
2, Will they be using cable, internet (or a game station), and/ or bluesy player for their signal source?

Also, will a mini fridge or kegerator be used?

Gots to has things in perspective to answer yours questions.

quote:

Originally posted by JRC:
A turret???

Oh, now you’re talking! Some sort of crow’s nest/lookout/cupola kinda thing on top would be ace.

Looks good, agree with climbing wall, maybe a slide, or rope to climb,


Since you have power access, power ports for USB charging and install an external hub for access to the internet for streaming should they decide to stay out there overnight,

perhaps some lighting for evening play and illumination of your greatness for guests for the fantastic parent you must be providing this.

Secret entrance/exit underneath....

Cargo Climbing Net https://www.treehousesupplies....p/cargonet_no_el.htm

We called them ratlines.

Neat, and very tiring.

Retractable Roman shades in those two overhead slots.

Tent platform sounds cool.

Things for imaginative play... pirate stuff, or castle stuff, etc.

Definitely a telescope on a gimbal mount. Appeal for all- playing pirate, looking at stars, spying on the neighborhood crush...

Nice work, Dave!

Can't tell from the perspective but I would make sure the electric line with the lights is far enough away that they can't jump from the structure and grab the electric on the way down.

will there be a pole?
http://www.treehouseaccessories.com/fire-pole/

Cool ideas.

From a structural engineer’s perspective, you might want to add a brace parallel to the front side, probably placed under the stair. The other sides appear to be stiffened by the infilled parts, but the front might be able to sway when the kids are on the platform being rambunctious or when the wind is blowing, etc. Such a brace wouldn’t need to go all the way across—-from the right side of the stair up to the left to the platform would probably be plenty.

Edit: Dave, just reread your OP and saw that you already planned to add the brace. Oops! Never mind!

Thanks everyone for the advice, I'm going to add a firepole. The wires are about 10 feet away, but they do look close though. Those ratlines look cool too!

Put handholds, or a wooden ladder across the top. That way, they can go up the ratlines on one side, across the top, and down the pole on the other.

I would definitely put another support post under that front span. Other than that, looks great and you got lots of good ideas from others above.