Children need a special place that’s completely theirs, where they can have their own space and pretend and play. Playhouses for children provide a hideaway as well as a stage where they can act out their imaginings. They can take their favorite toys with them and pretend to be kings, queens, soldiers, or perhaps the Mommy or Daddy of a special family. Fun playhouses allow children to develop their skills and test their limits uninhibited.
When we were kids a blanket thrown over a few chairs served the purpose of a playhouse, or an old sheet clothes-pinned to some branches in the trees out side our house. And while those are probably still the most fun (because you get to build them too), these days, you will find all designs and sizes of fun playhouses for children. Especially if you have a small outdoor space and/or a large indoor play area, you should consider the fun and memories a playhouse could provide to your children.
We don't own any of the first 3 (yet) but have enjoyed them at other places and homes we've visited. These are a few our little ones would love to have.
Step2 Naturally Playful Front Porch Playhouse
This is a beautifully designed playhouse with a large front porch. A built-in porch bench provides a place for kids to sit away from the sun or rain. The interior includes a table, sink with swivel faucet, and a stove top. A working Dutch door has an electronic doorbell and mail slot. The playhouse also has a side window with shutters and a pretty peaked roof with skylight for a brighter interior. An electronic play phone comes with the porch playhouse.
Recommended for small children from 18 months to 5 years old, this one would be a lot of fun for the littles. Although it is durable, some parts are a bit flimsy. The porch bench, for instance, cannot support adults. One or two small children can comfortably play inside.
Little Tikes Endless Adventures Tikes Town
This fun playhouse for children really lives up to its name, offering an endless number of role-playing opportunities. The four walls have different themes. One side is a schoolhouse/firehouse wall and comes with a table and chalkboard, door with mail slot, and a molded-in bell and alphabet. Decals are provided to make the wall a schoolhouse or firehouse wall. Another side is a gas station wall complete with gas pump, phone, crawl-through tunnel and other details. The third side is a sports wall. It features a basketball hoop, soccer or hockey net, targets for ball tossing, etc. The fourth side is a grocery store/bank wall with drive-up window, ATM machine, shelves and molded-in details. The interior features more details and includes a kitchenette, workshop and bank.
The Little Tikes Endless Adventures Tikes Town is perfect for creative individual or group play. It’s relatively easy to assemble and well worth the money. The playhouse is large enough for a few kids to have loads of fun together. Kids from 18 months up to 6 years old will adore this playhouse.
This playhouse may be shorter than most, but it is big on features. For one thing, it has a molded-in floor, which is something you don’t often see in a playhouse. Integrated drain holes on the floor keep water and dirt from accumulating. The cottage playhouse has an open design and provides a clear view on all sides. It features a Dutch door, shutters, kitchen table with faucet, burner and molded seats inside. The playhouse also comes with a doorbell, electronic phone, and mail slot.
The Neat and Tidy Cottage is a great playhouse for children. It is fun, a bit less expensive than the others, compact and easy to assemble. The floor is a very nice touch and it’s the perfect size for toddlers.
Knight Castle Prince House Kids Play Tent by POCO DIVO
Our kids did receive this indoor castle playhouse as a Christmas gift last year and they love it! It is easy to put together with it's tent-like poles and the mesh windows allow great airflow and light. I love that it packs away into a small zippered bag when they are finished conquering their imaginary lands and I can conquer the mess easier!
Playing, pretending and imagining is such an important part of childhood development. Any of these playhouses would be great for indoor or outdoor use, at home, at church, or at your neighborhood park, and all in all probably less expensive than a wooden construction. Do your kids have a favorite playhouse? Did you make it? Buy it? Create it daily with blankets? We would love to hear about it!