Outdoor playhouses indulge kids in hours of entertainment. Not only that, they can also help them grow and develop, especially their imagination and skills. But, to ensure that, you and your kid need a quality playhouse—durable, with great design, and more. It's not enough to just purchase the first option you come across.
This guide aims to provide you with important considerations and advice to help you choose and purchase an outdoor playhouse. Get advice on how to shop wisely and make an informed choice. Find a list of the best choices you ought to think about as well, to make things simpler.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying an Outdoor Playhouse
Take into account the following elements and advice when looking for a playhouse, particularly if you intend to use it outside:
Materials
Playhouses that are placed outside must be strong enough to endure the weather. These consist of the humidity, wind speed, rain, and more. These include the rain, strong winds, humidity, and more. To ensure that, you need to check the materials used to build the playhouse. Among all materials, your top three options are:
- Wood
Wood is durable and long-lasting so it can withstand outdoor elements and can last for many years. Your kids can enjoy a wooden playhouse whatever the season it would be. At the same time, wood is sustainable and sturdy. So, wooden playhouses can support and withstand children’s daily use. However, they do require regular maintenance and wooden playhouses can also be quite more expensive than others.
- Plastic
Plastic can tolerate some external conditions, but not enough to keep its quality over time. Plastic playhouses are easily damaged and will eventually fade in the sun. Naturally, taking care of it and protecting it from too much sun exposure can help with this. Playhouses made of plastic are also easier to clean and less expensive than those made of wood.
- Fabric
Fabric playhouses can also do pretty well outdoors. In addition to being breathable, they may give kids a comfortable and open area to play in. They could be blown away or soaked, so they might not be the best option if it's raining and windy. Take note that fabric playhouses also tend to be the cheapest among the three.
Size and Location
Playhouses come in various sizes. But to determine the right size to get, you first need to pick a location for your playhouse. Where do you plan to set it up? Where in your backyard do you want your kids to play? Determine these things to know how much space you’ll be working with.
With the location, check how big and tall the playhouse can be. Most of the time, bigger is better as it means there will be more space inside the playhouse for your kids to play in. However, also have to make sure the playhouse will fit in what available space you have. Of course, if you think you won’t have enough floor or horizontal space, you can always go vertical. This means that for a bigger play space, you can get a two-story playhouse for your kids.
Age Suitability
Every playhouse, indoor and outdoor, is designed for a specific age range. This recommended age suitability is often indicated in the product description. It can be 1 to 4 years, 3 to 8 years, 3 to 12 years, etc. This is an important factor to consider since some playhouse designs can be too complex for younger kids to use. The design and parts may not match your kid’s motor skills and developmental stage. It can be dangerous for them to play in playhouses like those.
Design
This refers to the overall design of the playhouse. What style do you want the playhouse to be in? Should it look modern? Or do you want something you can paint on your own for more personalization? Aside from that, you also need to consider what design elements you want the playhouse to have. These include windows, verandas, balconies, benches, doors, and even slides and swings. Ultimately, this would depend on you and your kid’s preferences.
Safety Features
As a parent, you should never compromise on your kid’s safety when using the playhouse. To ensure their safety, make sure that the playhouse is built with various safety features. These can include:
- Safety hinges on doors
- Wooden parts that have been smoothened and planed
- Open windows or those made of shatterproof materials
- Non-slip stairs or ladders
- Gaps between and around doors and windows
- Meets safety testing standards
Top 3 Outdoor Playhouses For Your Kids
To make your shopping experience easier, consider these top outdoor playhouses as your options:
1. 2MamaBees Reign Two Story Playhouse w/ Swing
For a lot of playing space, consider getting this playhouse. It’s a two-storey playhouse with a slide and some swings, giving your kids a lot of options on how to spend their playtime. It also has built-in play-based features, like a kitchen, cedar window boxes, and more. Plus, it comes in a sleek black-and-white farmhouse design that can match almost any aesthetic you would want in your outdoor space.
Specifications
- Overall Dimensions (LxWxH): 204 x 152 x 108 inches (w/ Swing Attachment)
- Materials: Wood, Cedar
- Age Recommendation: 3+ years
2. 2MamaBees Oceano White Playhouse
For a more cottage-like playhouse, consider this Oceano model. Aside from 2MamaBees’ classic black and white farmhouse design, this playhouse is made with a built-in kitchen, cedar window boxes, and even a bench on one side. It also comes with wooden play food for hours of sensory play for your kids. Plus, if you ever want to move this playhouse, you can place it in an indoor space.
Specifications
- Overall Dimensions (LxWxH): 90 x 68 x 73 inches
- Materials: Wood, Cedar
- Age Recommendation: 2+ years
3. Whitney Brothers Nature View Playhouse Cube And Mat Set
If you want a more unique playhouse for your kid, this would be an ideal option. It’s a playhouse cube with a green floor mat and a nature design. It’s also made with shatterproof acrylic side walls imprinted with wildflower images, making it look more whimsical. This can be an inviting design for kids. Plus, the cube has a cozy interior and large tunnel openings on each end so you don’t need to worry about comfort and visibility.
Specifications
- Overall Dimensions (LxWxH): 30.25 x 29.50 x 29.50 inches
- Materials: Birch Plywood
- Age Recommendation: Not Specified
Conclusion
Outdoor playhouses need not only to be engaging and fun but durable as well. This is to ensure your kid’s safe and comfortable entertainment when outdoors. So, make sure to consider the most important factors when going through your options: materials used, size, age suitability, design, and safety features.
Additionally, if you want to check out more options, you can visit our outdoor playhouse collection. We offer more playhouses designed to accommodate all kinds of preferences and needs!