by Melissa Edge – For any nature-loving kid there is something immediately appealing and imagination-igniting about a tent that is suspended in mid-air. No hard ground beneath their bum, no easy access for creepy crawlers; just top-secret hideout bliss.  Such is the idea behind the TreePod portable treehouse, a quick and easy playtime structure that can be erected without having to set foot in a Home Depot.

About the TreePod

This hanging tree house is made of strong nylon and aluminum and was created with easy set up and removal in mind. No need for nails, hammers or anything permanent. All you need is a rope, a locking carabiner (which is provided), and a sturdy tree.

If you don’t have a tree in your backyard, no problem. The TreePod stand is available separately. The stand is heavy duty and comes with thick anchor straps that connect to the bottom of each leg providing stability and balance. With two mesh windows, a zip up door, and a nylon ladder the kids have spent hours playing outside.

What we love about the TreePod

The kids love pretending the TreePod is a hot air balloon floating away up into the sky, they’ve planned many a spy mission inside, and they’ve even done their homework in it. It has also been transformed into a pirate ship and a castle.

Because it can hold up to 500lbs, more often than not, it has been a reading nook for both the kids and adults. The zipper door is easy to get in and out of and the mesh windows provide light and airflow, so it doesn’t get stuffy inside. Taller kids may not find much use for the nylon ladder, however, it’s great to help little kids gain access, independently.

The three guylines that attach from the bottom of the TreePod to the stand keep it stable, so strong gusts of wind can’t blow it around. My son, J-Man says he loves it because it gives him “personal space and somewhere else to go besides my bedroom,” making it the perfect backyard hideaway.

The TreePod Is Easy To Use

We have been using the TreePod with the stand for a few months now and we love it, but before that, we hung it in a tree across our street. Both hanging options were easy to set up and take down. We did need to purchase a rope that was rated up to 1,500lbs breaking strength so that the it was hung properly and safely in the tree. With the stand you don’t need a rope, just the locking carabiner. With either the stand or the rope you will need a ladder to attach the Treepod to the carabiner.

Is The TreePod Durable?

We’ve left the TreePod out in the hot sun and the monsoonal rains and it has held up well. There are a few small drain holes inside so if it does get caught in the rain the water doesn’t pool up inside and it dries quickly. The color has faded from the sun, however, it hasn’t affected the integrity of the fabric. We keep the door zipped closed when not in use to keep creepy crawlies from making a home inside.

Take the TreePod Anywere!

Take it to the park, camping, or over to Grandma’s house. With the stand, you can also move it indoors for continuous play during the winter months.

Notes on the TreePod

Not only has this company created an alternative tree house for backyards everywhere, they have partnered with Trees for the Future to plant a tree for every TreePod purchased. The TreePod comes in a variety of colors and can be purchased online!

Find more fun, outdoor toys for kids here!

Melissa Edge is gear editor of Outdoor Families Magazine and author of AdventureTykes, a blog dedicated to outdoor experiences with children. She lives in Moab, Utah, with her husband, a professional photographer, son, and two pugs.