A Starter Treehouse

What child doesn't want a treehouse? Actually, strike that. They usually don't want one, (cue up the big whine) they need one. According to an informal poll Nested conducted (by informal, we mean we asked a couple friends), nobody they knew growing up actually had a treehouse -- they were something of film and television. But we all wanted one.

Now that we're parents, we know why mom and dad always said no -- these suckers seem impossible to build. Let alone the actual possibility that your treehouse is prone to attack.

The next your child (or your inner child) wants a treehouse, consider starting at a little smaller scale. This hand-crafted wood treehouse is a bit more Swiss Family Robinson than backyard hangout, but we think that adds to the charm. While older kids may be bummed that they can't hide inside, younger ones will have hours of fun playing with the pulley, crane and rope ladder.  Back to Basics Toys, $159.99