 Kid's Playhouse Buying Guide
When it comes to your kids, it is only natural that you would want nothing but the best- even when it comes to
their toys. Not exactly a toy per se, but a playhouse is definitely something that every child would love to
have. It is a place where they can play and have fun for hours on end - as long as you get just the right
one. So here is a kid’s playhouse buying guide to help you find the perfect playhouse for your special little
guy or gal.
Is The Playhouse For A Boy, Girl Or Both ?
The number one thing that you have to consider, of course, is who you are buying it for- a little boy or a
little girl, or even for a little boy and a little girl - not to mention the age.
Looking for a girls playhouse is actually quite easy, when it comes to the color and design that is. You
can never go wrong with with a pink playhouse. You can also look for princess castle themed ones and the
like. You can actually check out some of the best playhouses for
girls here.
When it comes to boys playhouses, look for something that, well, isn’t so girly.
There some pretty cool army type designs. Or you can just stick to something that is blue, red, orange -
basically stay away from pink, flowers, hearts, and the like.
You can have a look at some of the best playhouses for boys by clicking
here.
If you are buying for both a little boy and girl, you can always get a neutral color - yellow, or white, or red,
or brown. If you know your child’s favorite color, that would be great too. Or maybe get a themed playhouse
that would interest boys and girls. For instance, a service station style playhouse may be as interesting to girls
as it is to boys and might make a good compromise. Or even a stable style playhouse that may be more appealing to a
little girl will also appeal to boys too.
When it comes to age, be sure to check out the specs and the size. Practically all of the manufacturers
give you a recommended age group - so that should be a big help.
Actually finding playhouses for the bigger kids is much easier than finding ones for the little ones since you
need to think more about size and safety issues for little ones. Here are a selection of the best playhouses for toddlers to help you out a bit and narrow down your
search.
Is The Playhouse Going In The Backyard Or Indoors ?
This is another thing that you should definitely consider before you buying a playhouse- where it will go.
This will help you decide on the size as well as the material of the playhouse. So think if you want an
outdoor playhouse for your backyard, an indoor playhouse to put in your child’s room, or one that is good for both
outdoor and indoor use.
We will actually get more into that in the next section - the different types to choose from
Types Of Playhouses:
You may be surprised to find out that there are quite a lot of types to choose from when looking for kids play
houses. So here are the 5 main types that are on the market today - complete with details and tips to help you
decide which is best for you and your child.
 Cardboard
Cardboard playhouses, put simply, are made out of cardboard.
You know how kids, especially the younger ones, would always play with the box when a big package arrives at
your door? So think of that but a much more glorified version.
There are a lot of perks about getting a cardboard playhouse - it is easy to assemble, it ships in one piece,
and you can always just fold it flat when you want to keep it.
It is definitely lightweight, so moving it around won’t be a problem at all, but it may not be really good for
the backyard on a windy day though. It may also be damaged if your kids are boisterous as most kids can be at
times. But that can happen with any toy I guess - wear and tear is an inevitable part of any toys
life.
What is especially nice about these cardboard playhouses is that most of the ones on the market aren’t colored
yet or even have no design at all. So this is where your child’s imagination and creativity come it.
Coloring the playhouse is just part of the fun after all.
Plus, it is really affordable. You can find these in the Playhouses under $100 range. Of course, they may
not last given the wear and tear factor but your kids will have a good time wearing them in or
tearing them up!
A good tip though would be for you to look for some that don’t really have any pointy edges, especially when
buying for toddlers.
Inflatables
You can also opt for an inflatable playhouse too. These are usually good for both outside and inside
depending on the size. Set up usually only takes less than a minute given that a blower is part of the
package, which it usually is. Then when you want to take it down, simply deflate, fold, then store.
These are definitely cute, not too pricey either (a bounce house of course is a different story), but aren’t
very durable. Remember, there is always a chance that your kids might puncture it one way or the other during
play.
Tents
 Another alternative would be the tent style,
also known as fabric playhouses. This is
actually one of the most popular styles around. It is really practical.
It is easy to set up, doesn’t cost too much, and kids still love it. If you want one that can be used both
inside the house as well as in the backyard, a tip would be for you to look for ones that come with a floor- unless
you want to add a mat yourself.
Also, try to look for the ones that have thicker, sturdier poles- especially if you plan on leaving it up.
But, if you plan on setting it up and taking it down after every play session, look for tents that have the twist N
fold feature so that the whole thing just pops up when it is time to play, then you just have to fold it after.
Plastic
Plastic playhouses for kids are definitely common. So if you want something more durable, something that
you won’t put away for storage after playtime- assembly will usually take an hour or two at the least, then plastic
is a really good choice.
These are great for both inside the house as well as outside. But again, if you want a plastic outdoor
playhouse, try to find ones that have a floor unless you want to add one yourself. These will definitely cost
more than the first three types - the cheapest would probably be over
$100, but they will last longer too.
Another tip when buying a plastic house is to look for ones that have open designs so that you can keep a
watchful eye on the little ones and try to look for some that have cool features, like shutters that they can open,
maybe a little table, a working doorbell too so that you will get the most out of your money.
 Wood
Out of all, wooden playhouses are definitely the most beautiful, however, these are the most expensive too. Plus, wooden playhouses are more permanent than the
others so they are usually set up in the garden or backyard.
So think carefully about where you want to set it up because chances are you won’t be moving it after
that. You can order them and just set it up yourself, but be prepared to spend some time working on it, or
you can even get them custom made too.
A good tip that you ought to look out for is to make sure that the wood is weather resistant. Again, it
will be staying outside rain or shine.
Popular Brands Of Playhouse
There are three main brands that stand out as far as this toy goes.
These are Step2, Kidkraft
and Little Tikes.
Surprisingly, Step2 has the biggest range. They seem to specialize in
playsets and active toys for kids. They also make ride on toys, slides, swings and other toys mainly aimed at
letting your kids play outdoors.
Kidkraft also seem to specialize in playhouses and sets but also
make themed furniture and beds for children. Their playsets consist of outdoor wooden playhouses through to indoor
plastic kitchen sets.
Little Tikes is a well known toy maker. They also have more of a focus on outdoor toys but I'd say their
range is greater than the first two. For instance, along with their playhouses you can also get inflatable bouncers, ride on toys,
playgrounds, swing sets and furniture.
There are other well known toy makers like Fisher Price who make these sorts of toys but their selection of
Playhouses aren't great. A company called Play Hut make themed tent like playhouses that can be set up quickly and taken
down just as quickly too.
Set Your Budget
One of the most important things, actually, when looking for a playhouse for your child, whether it
is indoor or outside is knowing just how much you are willing to spend on it.
So, to help you find the perfect playhouse on just about any budget, check :
Top 5 playhouses under $100 for some cheaper options, also
the
Top 5 playhouses under $200, the
Top 5 playhouses under $500, and, if money as well as space is
not a problem, then check out the
Top playhouses over $500.
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