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A Dream House: The Treehouse Kindergarden

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Here’s a kindergarden that little kids would love. The “Ringaround Treehouse Kindergarden” is a kindergarden in Japan designed by Tezuka Architects.

It is not exactly a treehouse. Instead of the structure being attached to the actual tree itself, this one forms a ring around it so that the space can be climbed in a spiral ring around and up the tree.

Building on the pleasures of climbing trees, the Fuji Kindergarten promotes freedom of movement.

But as well as a place to blow off steam, it is here that the children get their first foreign language instruction.

For an average adult (walking upright) there are just two floors, but for the children the multiple spiral creates six floors – with some bending, of course.

Once the children are all tired out from running around (and around) they are ready to concentrate on the lessons they are given in the classroom high up in the treetops.

The structure is light but sturdy, with slender handrails and wooden floors. Soft rubber mats help cushion the inevitable falls.

Planted more than 50 years ago,  the tree holds fond memories for older residents in the area as it was the only tree used for climbing and games even before a kindergarten ever existed.

It seems like a truly magical spot. You can almost imagine that the tree also has fond memories of its half century of children playing on it too.