In a society heavy on technology, today's children spend more time in front of TV and computer screens than slathering on sunscreen to play outside.
A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation reveals that young Americans between ages 8 and 18 spend more than seven and a half hours a day using a computer, smartphone, TV, video game console, and other electronic devices, an alarming increase from an hour and a half in 2004.
"We thought we'd hit the ceiling in 2004, and now we see the ceiling shattered," said Vicki Rideout, director of the Kaiser Family Foundation's Program for the Study of Media and Health.
If you're looking for a way to tear your children away from their gadgets and gizmos, consider a family project such as building a tree house. Not only will the treetop playhouse provide your kids with a private place to use their imagination and pull them away from the X-Box, but constructing the tree house can also be a family affair from start to finish.
Involve your kids from the start by asking them to cut out pictures from magazines or newspapers of houses or buildings they like and ask for their design ideas. Above all, make it fun - the tree house should inspire young imaginations.
"I love getting kids outside in the trees to experience nature," said Barbara Butler, a tree house designer whose résumé boasts work for clients such as Robert Redford, Kevin Kline, Bobby McFerrin, and Walt Disney Productions. "If I can incorporate the illusion of mystery and danger in my tree houses, kids really respond."
Want to add some fun and intriguing elements to your tree house but fresh out of ideas? Here are seven tips that are sure to please your youngsters - and lure them away from the computer:
· A ladder is an essential component of any respectable tree house. Whether a traditional wooden ladder, the more inventive rope ladder, or even a more sophisticated staircase, make sure to include this in your design.
· Zip lines can be incorporated into numerous games. Kids love the sensation of flying, so they will be thrilled with this addition. The safety factor is paramount here, however. Instead of using a simple handlebar, which makes the possibility of a painful fall much more likely, try installing a seat with handgrips.
· A fireman's pole inspires creativity. Countless games of firefighter will ensue after you install this feature. Secure the bottom of the pole into a concrete base and ensure the concrete is completely dry before allowing children to slide their way down to answer the call of the fire bell.
· A rope bridge is the perfect way to lend a sense of adventure to your structure. Use two trees that are about 10 feet apart for maximum bridge potential. To prevent any falls, leave a gap of only an inch or so between each board, and make sure the "rails," whether rope or chain, are secure.
· Slides and swings satisfy the constant need for motion. The options are endless: tire swings, molded plastic swings, wooden swings, and buoy ball swings are all popular tree house facets, and slides are available in all shapes and sizes. Lay down a deposit of soft wood chips, moss, or another soft material to cushion any potential falls.
· Crow's nests offer the perfect perch to survey the surroundings. These are especially popular with a pirate or castle theme. One method of adding a crow's nest to a tree house is to use half of an old wine barrel, which can be found at your local garden supply store. Make sure you have a level and sturdy platform and that the ladder extends higher than the crow's nest for safe ascent and descent.
· Trap doors go perfectly with a fireman's pole or on their own. Is it a secret escape or a portal to another world? Beef up playtime potential with another kid favorite. While the typical trap door is square with the frame built into the floor joists, feel free to step outside the box. Try a triangular or hexagonal door. Just remember to allow sufficient room for a child to get through.
Atlantic Publishing Group Inc. is your No. 1 source for nonfiction books. We publish nonfiction books, focusing on small business, management, online media, and real estate, as well as parenting, cooking, and traveling. For more information on building a tree house, visit Atlantic Publishing Group and pick up a copy of The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Tree House: For Parents and Adults Who are Kids at Heart. Follow us on Twitter @AtlanticPub.
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