Small on Space, Big on Fun
Dreaming of a sprawling, multi-level treehouse with Elven vibes, but your space or budget is telling you it better be on par with a little hobbit house?
Well we’ve got you covered! Today we’re sharing some of our smallest and most budget-friendly treehouses, playhouses and forts that we build here at Barbara Butler Artist-Builder.
So grab a cup of tea and be ready to take notes as you browse through our small structures.
Corner Playhouse
Got a small yard where space is at a premium, but still want a space for your kids to play? The corner playhouse was designed to maximize the small space available, creating big fun on a small footprint. Two stories of fun await you, whether you go up the rung ladder or choose the more challenging rock wall up to the enclosed second story. The firepole is a quick way back down and from there you can hide in the nook underneath.
Birdhouse Bungalow
Where function meets form.
Barbara was tasked with designing a small play structure that would fit this small yard but also provide the family’s two toddlers with a space of their own. By keeping the deck just big enough for the playhouse and access in and out, she was able to create a structure that could fit up onto the retaining wall, where it could be off the grass and not taking up valuable play space. Perched up high, this playhouse is also a highlight of the yard and fits perfectly with the family’s entertaining lifestyle and passion for collecting art.
Napa Valley Water Tower
Peace and serenity await you in this mini water tower playhouse.
Barbara kept the design of this play structure simple, just one way up, and focused on creating a peaceful interior that could be used for relaxing or playing. A simple A-frame swing set is attached to one side for more play opportunities, but could be omitted if space is limited.
Additional play features can easily be added to small structure like this, or kept simple and allow your kids imagination to fill in the rest.
Malibu Clubhouse
This clubhouse is packed with play features and is probable the largest structure featured here, and yet it is tucked away into an otherwise unused corner of the yard and remains unobtrusive.
From one end of the deck to the other, this play fort offers all the best play features! A rock wall climb or big rope climb offer a way up (or down if you’re adventurous!) to the deck. The fire pole is a quick way down, or pass through the playhouse and use either the rope net climb or turbo twist slide to make your escape.
Underneath the big deck are more play features; a spider swing and hand-over-hand rings.
Inverness Treehouse
Here Barbara renovated an existing play structure to add sturdiness and additional play features.
Although this fort is only one part of a larger play structure, it easily stands alone as a rustic, woodland feature. Barbara added to the simple wood fort style to provide a sturdy anchoring point for a bridge as well as a coil climber and rock wall on both sides.
Alone or with a bridge to a nearby tree or tower, we love the simplicity of this structure.
Hobbits Habitat - Wizard’s Hideout
There is so much to love about this compact little play structure!
The main playhouse can feature many play accessories, such as a drop leaf table, cabinet or shelf or top secret safe. A rung ladder provides access to the loft that opens up to a dormer, allowing access to the adjacent tower.
The tower is packed full of play features and ‘loops of play’. A slide off one side, a rope net climb off the other, a rock climbing wall and fire pole all provide fun and challenging ways on and off the structure.
Additional features such as playful cutouts, castle crennelations, faux stained glass windows, doors with who-goes-there peephole and door knocker and shuttered windows.
California Hideout - Leafy Nook Clubhouse
Looking for all the fun of a grand treehouse but on a smaller scale? Then look no further then this clubhouse in a tree!
The simple clubhouse features one full wall and a sloped roof. It can be set onto a deck of whichever size fits the space. Additional platforms can be added to extend the space and opportunities for play.
Rung ladders, slides, fire poles and giant rope climbs can all be added as desired to increase the challenge of getting in and out of the tree fort.
Lookout Treefort
Similar to the clubhouse above, this tree fort was designed for a younger participant. A ship’s ladder is a safe way up and the rope net climb provides a challenge now and later.
The large deck has plenty of room for play and is protected by the back wall and sloped roof.
Behind the tree hides a turbo twist slide, always a favorite, and a ships wheel is added for more imaginative fun. This fort easily transforms into a deadly pirate ship, sailing the high seas.
Ship in a Tree
For a truly nautical experience though, you need a ship in a tree!
Built small to not overwhelm the minimal San Francisco yard, this treehouse is actually bigger then it looks. A short climb up the knotted rope climb is the main deck, built to look like a ship and enclosed by rope net railings. Climb even further though and you’ll find several wood platforms nestled amongst the branches.
This treehouse is not only fun to play in, but also a piece of art, admired by anyone who visits the small yard.
Noe Valley Fortress - Tiny Tumbler
The smallest play structure we offer, everything here is mini versions of our full sized play structures, perfect for younger children not yet ready for a larger structure.
A ships ladder, rope net climb, crazy bar climb or slide can all be added to the small deck. A crawl tube is easily added under the low deck as an additional play feature.
Fort Bing
A little bigger then the Tiny Tumbler, Fort Bing was built for the Bing Nursery School at Stanford. This small structure was designed to challenge adventurous 2 year olds who are just starting to explore the world. Built for a public space, this fort is designed to be inclusive, with an ADA transfer system so everyone can join the fun.
Robin Hood’s Fort - Hideaway Fort
Our most basic forts are the two story Robin Hood’s Fort and Hideaway Fort. Both have a small footprint while also provide capacity for additional play features.
Add whatever play features you want, even swings!
Fort Outback
Built and installed in 2003 for 150 Parker Street School in San Francisco, Fort Outback is where simplicity meets innovation.
Twin forts are connected by a swinging bridge. A rung ladder, rock wall, rope net climb and slide all provide access on and off the upper story of the forts. Below, simple door and window frames allow for easy access by all the students and keep maintenance simple.
We love helping our clients fit a play structure into their space. Even if you space or budget is small, contact us today to start your play journey!