9 Supercool Tree Houses, Forts and Lookouts Unleash your kids’ imaginations exploring a fort, climbing a tower or touring a tree house By Nancy Schatz Alton
Photo courtesy TreeHouse Point
Inspiration most often lies outside our front doors. And if kids happen to encounter a tree house, fort or hobbit door woven into an outing, their inspiration can go into overdrive. But where to find these secret spots designed to spark our kids’ imaginations?
older kids (and parents). While some tunnels and bunkers now have lights, bring your own flashlight to explore the darkest and spookiest corners of this expansive fort.
We’ve collected nine places in the greater Puget Sound area that could fuel hours of outdoor play for kids, from tree houses and decommissioned forts to hobbit abodes and playgrounds with build-it-yourself features. Some are suitable for a day trip, while others are a short drive away.
Don’t miss: Explore the saltwater shoreline of Admiralty Inlet or along Keystone Spit, which separates Admiralty Inlet and Crocket Lake. Or venture to nearby Fort Ebey State Park, another fun park in the Coupeville area. Fort Ebey was built as a coastal defense during World War II. There, concrete platforms still mark the former gun locations and a dark tunnel makes for a short, chilly stroll.
Fort Casey State Park, Whidbey Island • parks.state.wa.us
Fort Casey Historical State Park, a point in the former “Triangle of Fire” built to protect access to Puget Sound, is still home to two 10-inch and two 3-inch historic gun emplacements. Kids enjoy running around the expansive grounds and climbing the stairs around the emplacements, taking in the vast views provided by these features. You’ll need to exercise considerable caution here; there are many steep drops with no railings or barriers, but it makes for thrilling exploring for
Info: A Discover Pass is required to park in this and all state parks.
Canopy tower and tree houses at IslandWood • islandwood.org
Reasons to visit IslandWood abound. This unique 255-acre outdoor learning center on Bainbridge Island offers three fantastic options for kids who like to explore, along with 6 miles of wooded trails and an amazing garden. One exciting feature for kids is the 150-foot-tall forest canopy tower, a rebuilt fire tower. Formerly situated in
the North Cascades, it now sits on the edge of IslandWood’s ravine. At the top, the view is spectacular, with sightlines to Puget Sound and the mountains. (Note: This spot probably would not suit those afraid of heights.) In addition, IslandWood includes two tree houses: the Bog Tree House and the Learning Tree House. The Learning Tree House appears more modern; the Bog Treehouse looks magical, as if elves or fairies might live there. Info: You can only visit IslandWood during public events, and those fill up quickly. Bookmark the events calendar on the website — and note that the events listed as “adult-friendly” but not including the term “kid-friendly,” such as a public site tour, are designed for adults only. Instead, look for Open Trails Day or other events marked as “kid-friendly” and be sure to RSVP early. Pets are not allowed at IslandWood. Also don’t miss: Cross the 190-foot suspension bridge 60 feet above Mac’s Creek and see a giant Douglas fir beam, 92 feet long and weighing almost 9,000 pounds, built into the truss system of IslandWood’s Welcome Center.
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