Moore County’s options for indoor family fun continue to grow. This winter, The Treehouse will add a new experience to the mix: a play space where children can climb, jump, explore, and burn off energy in an environment that’s designed to feel more like the outdoors than a traditional play center.
Leslie Morse, Corey Moore, and Molly Ellis are three Moore County moms who met back in 2022 through their children’s daycare. Their kids were friends, so they all began to hang out. The recurring topic of conversation was the lack of play places in the area.
A Moore County native, Leslie moved to Atlanta and had frequented many play spaces in the city with her son. It really hit home when she moved back to the area about five years ago, and her son asked her if they could go to a play place – but there wasn’t one. This was hard for her to believe after seeing the growth the county has experienced over the past 10 years.
The trio continued to yearn for a place to hang out, somewhere they could go on a hot or rainy day. Since it kept coming up, they decided to address it. Their search for a physical location began at the end of 2024, and it quickly became clear why there still wasn’t a place in the county – finding a space was difficult.
Leslie told Sandhills Sentinel that they “considered settling for something smaller just to make it happen, but they would always go back to wanting the trampoline and certain components of a play place like in the bigger cities.”
One of the hardest boxes to check in their property search was a ceiling tall enough to meet their needs, but their patience paid off because their realtor helped them find the perfect space. The closing occurred in January; however, the projected opening is set for this winter.
The location of The Treehouse has not yet been disclosed, but it will be on Highway 5. They did not say whether it will be in Aberdeen or Pinehurst. Leslie also shared that parking will be easy, with plenty of space at the end of a cul-de-sac so parents won’t have to worry about their children running into traffic while they unload the car.
The Treehouse will be geared toward ages 12 months to13 years, with a dedicated toddler area, but it will be open for older siblings as well. The goal is to create a place for parents and kids where they don’t have to worry about their kids being too loud or rowdy. Their tagline is “Where the wild things play.”
Birthday parties will be offered, with plans to have multiple party rooms. They will also offer group classes for kids. Once they open, they will be able to get a better feel for what the community wants and needs as they grow.
When asked where the name came from, the three women said it was picked because they want it to be like “bringing the outdoors.” The plan is to have a central area that is elevated, like a treehouse, with slides to go down, and kids will be able to climb up into it. They wanted more of an outdoor feel to save kids and parents from a lot of the overstimulation that some other play places can evoke. You will be able to stand at the front and see your child from anywhere in the room.
There will be vending machines with snacks and drinks, as well as food trucks. Outside food will be allowed, especially if a child has an allergy or preference.
A pumping/nursing room will be connected to the women’s restroom.
It will be a drop-in concept, not a drop-off concept.
For updates, including early access announcements, construction updates, and founding member specials, visit their website at thetreehousenc.com.
Feature photo: Leslie Morse (left), Molly Ellis, and Corey Moore—contributed photo.
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~ Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Megan Hall.
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