Every adult was once a child, so we have all been there!
And since you were a child once, then you should remember how much you used to love the make believe games or pretend plays, or don’t you? Of course, you do, and we know you’re probably smiling right now.
The truth is, those make believe games weren’t just mere games, they were incredibly beneficial and integral to the development of children.
Sadly, due to the rise of technology and different digital inventions these days, most children of nowadays have found interests in other things.
However, research has shown that most of the social and creative skills developed by kids come from the kind of play bolstered by outdoor playhouses.
They learn important life skills in the process, including negotiation skills, conflict resolution skills, problem-solving skills and decision-making skills.
So, why don’t you take your kids away from the screens of their digital devices and encourage them to play outdoors by purchasing the best childrens playhouse for them?
With an outdoor playhouse, they will have a lot of fun whilst also developing their cognitive skills.
However, we don’t want you going through a lot of troubles just to buy an outdoor playhouse for your kids.
Thus, we have done all the dirty work for you by researching the best outdoor playhouses on the market, and separating the wheat from the chaff to present to you the best playhouses for kids.
In this guide, you won’t only read our detailed reviewed of the best outdoor playhouses, you’ll also get to read some important tips you’ll find useful when making a buying decision.
If you don’t have time to read the complete article, check out our top 3 castle toys with review:
- The WonderFold – Keter Easy to Fold Children’s Folding Playhouse
- Step2 Naturally Playful Storybook Cottage
- Backyard Discovery Timberlake All Cedar Wood Playhouse
How to choose the best playhouse?
Benefits of Outdoor Playhouse
If you are thinking about buying a children playhouse for your kid, you might want to know the benefits they offer first. Below are some benefits of a children playhouse to kids.
Stronger Muscles and Bones
All the crawling, climbing, and sliding your children will do on their playhouse will give them great physical benefits. The muscles and bones in their back, hands, and legs will become stronger and will improve their overall growth and health.
Keeps Them Healthy
Children need lots of exercise, particularly when they are still growing . It’s good to encourage them to engage in outdoor activities such as playing in a playhouse is an excellent way of keeping them active and healthy.
Besides, this will help them fight obesity and give them a beneficial and fun alternative to watching TV and playing video games.
Promotes Coordination
The different functions and elements of an outdoor playhouse are an excellent way of stimulating children and helping them to learn how to use their legs and hands simultaneously, and in a natural way.
A Good Night’s Rest
When your children play throughout the day in their playhouse, the probability of them being tuckered out and sleeping deeply becomes high.
Sleep assumes a vital role in your kid’s pleasant development, and sleep is a major factor that bolsters their mental and physical development.
Better Social Skills
Having an outdoor playhouse in your patio will offer your children the perfect chance to make some new friends and improve their social skills.
The friendships formed in the playhouse or playground are vital to the overall development of your kids and will lay a solid foundation for healthy, happy relationships as your kids grow up.
Teaches Responsibility
Playsets and playhouses are a great tool with which your children can learn about responsibility.
They need to learn to play responsibly and watch out for their friends, whilst also adhering to the rules you’ve laid for the playground.
How to Choose A Children’s Playhouse
With different makes and models of children playhouse out there, it is a bit difficult to choose the right children playhouse for your child. If you, however, take the factors below into consideration, we are confident that you will be able to pick the right model.
Safety
Safety is always a big factor when choosing anything related to kids. You want to make sure that the outdoor playhouse has been well-built and is durable, so make sure to read reviews online or check inside before buying.
Also, ensure that the manufacturer of the model you’re buying complies with the UK and Europe safety standards.
Size
Size will be another big factor in your decision making. Of course, you want something with adequate space for your kid to play in happily but do not want it to consume your entire garden since you also require some space for your personal things.
Look around your yard very well and check what you have in your yard already so that you can plan the area that is ideal for your kids’ playhouse. This will provide you with an idea of the kind of playhouse will that be ideal for your garden.
Budget
Also, you need to consider your budget before looking at the available options. From basic, small playhouses to big, sophisticated designs with climbing frames or slides incorporated into them, there is a wide variety of playhouses to choose from out there.
While there are playhouses with gorgeous designs, there are others with play designs, and this will also have a say in the price. Also, the material used to construct the playhouses will also determine its price and its overall appearance.
As soon as you have determined how much you want to spend on an outdoor playhouse, you can then narrow down your search and find the types that are within your budget.
Material used for building the playhouse
The material the playhouse is built from can make a big difference as regards portability and durability.
Wooden playhouses are by a very long way the most sturdy and are weather resistance.
Plastic models may be a little easier to put together but they are always less durable and they usually come with lesser lifespan when compared with wooden playhouses.
Also, there are mesh playhouses that are made for indoors. While they are more portable, they are not as sturdy as wooden or plastic playhouses.
A good playhouse must have a large window or windows
Outdoor playhouses, of course, are made for little kids. What this means is that you have to keep an eye on them while they play in the house. Therefore, you need to buy a playhouse model that has a large window.
Look for an outdoor playhouse that has large and wide cut outs, and the windows have to be low enough to enable you to look at what is happening. With that being said, a playhouse with windows and doors that can be opened and shut is more ideal.
Top 3 Best Children Playhouses
Based on the interests of your kids, there are different types of castle toys on the market. Below are our top 3 best castle toys and their reviews.
The WonderFold – Keter Easy to Fold Children’s Folding Playhouse
This is an extremely extraordinary, multi-purpose playhouse. It is regarded as a multipurpose playhouse since it can be used outdoors, indoors, and can even be easily folded away if you are going to grandparents’ house.
It’s very easy to put together, so you don’t need to be worried about its assembly. Besides, the pieces snap easily together and the manufacturer even claims it can be assembled in just 30 seconds.
Measuring 40.1 x 35.3 x 43.5 inches and weighing 21.4 pounds, this playhouse is very lightweight and compact, which makes it easy to transport and move around. Besides, this also makes it ideal for both outdoor and indoor activities.
The playhouse has a durable polypropylene resin built. These materials are rustproof, durable, and useful in every weather condition to improve durability and also UV resistance.
In addition, the playhouse includes a patented technology that allows it to fold away easily, thereby allowing you to move it effortlessly. Therefore, it can be taken with you during vacations to enable your children to have a nonstop playtime.
Furthermore, the playhouse comes with big open windows and working doors that make it look much like a real home.
The playhouse comes in different colors including blue/red, red/blue, and red/green.
Pros
- Easy to assemble.
- Locking pieces perfectly hold the roof.
- Easily folds up.
- Easy to move.
- Compact to fit in the house.
Cons
- Not too durable.
- Hard to realign the sides.
Step2 Naturally Playful Storybook Cottage
Step 2 is an household name when it comes to the manufacturing of playhouses and other kiddies stuffs, and they haven’t done their reputation any harm with this amazing playhouse.
If you are looking for a great looking, super durable, and outstanding playhouse for children, then you can’t look further than the Step 2 Naturally Playful Storybook Cottage.
Furthermore, this playhouse is very versatile that it can even be used as a landscaping piece in your front lawn or your garden.
The charming playhouse comes with a thatched roof to enhance the storybook-cottage feel of the house. It features large working doors with windows and a functional doorbell. Besides, there are large open windows, of which one of them has working shutters.
When it comes to the interiors of the playhouse, there is a drop-leaf table and a play kitchenette which incorporates a sink and a two-burner stove for your kid to enjoy. Also, the house includes molded shelves which enable your kid to store his or her play food. The house also features a functional toy phone and a toy clock with moveable hands. If you are looking for the perfect playhouse for your kids, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Pros
- Molded details
- Very study.
- Play kitchenette inside
- Drop-leaf table
- Working play phone and electric doorbell.
Cons
- Buyers stated sticker decals don’t stick well
Backyard Discovery Timberlake All Cedar Wood Playhouse
The Backyard Discovery Timberlake Cedar Wooden Playhouse is the perfect option if you are looking for a fun playhouse that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
It is so beautiful that it is sure to enhance any outdoor space and it comes with wide windows that enable a lot of breeze and natural sunlight to enter. The front of the playhouse is decorated with a pretty half-door and flowerpot holders for a simple, but sophisticated style that may turn out to become the heart of your yard.
On one side of the playhouse, you will find a snack window which is used for serving drinks on a hot summer day and during kids’ play. Further, there are different fun accessories inside the playhouse which include a play stove, sink, and cordless phone to make it look like a real house. Most impressively, this playhouse can be put together in less than an hour with the assistance of an adult.
Regardless of the number of kids you have got, this playhouse will keep them entertained them for several houses. With all the incorporated features and designs, the Backyard Discovery Timberlake Cedar Wooden Playhouse will rapidly become the centerpiece in your garden. And everyone can find a way to be involved, which is probably the best thing about it.
Pros
- Strong and sturdy construction
- Castle-like design
- With doors and side ladders to engage children’s physical skills
- Encourages kids to use their imagination
Cons
- Requires an hour of assembly, as well as a couple of power tools.
Conclusion
It is understandable that children like playing outdoors. Therefore, it is important that parents increase the fun in their playing experience by purchasing toys and accessories that encourage them to be active all the time for them. If you are in the market for a playhouse for your kids, you can’t go wrong with any option on our list. However, keep or buying tips in mind and we are confident you’ll buy the best playhouse every for your kid.
Images source: Amazon.com
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