Sometimes you just never know when inspiration will strike. Sometimes it’s the very same moment a very large tree limb strikes the ground while you’re tossing and turning in bed. You look outside the window, and what do you know— your next project is waiting for you in your neighbor’s yard.

This morning I surveyed the damage, and thankfully no damage was done to our neighbor’s house. But I headed over with my saw and asked about how the cleanup was going, casually mentioning that I’d be happy to take some of the wreckage off their hands. Why, you ask? Well, duh! I have another miniatures project up my sleeves! This time it’s a treehouse that’s more kiddo friendly than my last dollhouse project.

I first stumbled on the treehouse above (left) while perusing Instagram one afternoon. I thought it seemed like a cute idea for a Christmas gift for the girls, but I balked at the price, and also thought it seemed like a fun and easy project for me to do on my own. So I began searching for more inspiration for other treehouse-style dollhouses available for purchase online. Here’s what I found:

1. Buildable Treehouse Kid $304 AUD or $230 USD
2. Melissa and Doug Treehouse (currently unavailable)
3. Enchantments Fairy Forest Lodge
4. Waldorf Fairy Treehouse $199
5. Treehouse Playset $199
6. Large Treehouse $150

I truly enjoy the art and craft of making miniatures, so I thought making a miniature treehouse would be a less-fuss way to enjoy such a project rather than diving head first into another dollhouse, which I do plan to do again soon. But I thought an interim project for the kids might be a good project for this busy time of year. When the neighbor’s tree limb fell, I figured now is as good of a time as any!

I found some really great miniature treehouse projects from other crafters on the web and got some really great ideas to translate to my own project. I love the multi-layer structures with steps, stairs, swings, and buckets— all fun little details you’d find in a life-size treehouse. I’ve been thinking of all of those elements that make real treehouses fun, and realizing that this is a fun, less dangerous way to implement those ideas without actually making a treehouse outside in our yard. Obviously real treehouses are amazing, but this is better for our current lifestyle and age of our children. Though I do hope to build a real treehouse in a few years.

above left / above right // below

Of course, now I can’t get enough of treehouse inspiration every time I’m on Pinterest! Check out my treehouse board to see the inspiration I’ve been saving for my mini treehouse. So far I know I want to make hammocks, hanging features, a spiral staircase, and maybe even a little tent built into one of the levels.

So many ideas, so little room. But we’ll see what all I can fit in! I’m so excited!