Choosing the Right Playhouse: Wood vs. Plastic – A Comprehensive Comparison
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A playhouse is the perfect addition to any garden! Not only does it offer endless possibilities for children’s imagination and creativity, but it is also a place where children can exercise and play outside in the fresh air.
A garden playhouse is more than just a place to play, it is also a place of relaxation and retreat for children. They can create their own little kingdom and have their own adventures. It is also a place where children can learn to take responsibility by keeping the house clean and tidy.
Nevertheless, there are some pitfalls and points to consider if you want to buy such a playhouse. We will now show you what to look out for and what you should think about.
What You Should Look Out for When Buying Playhouses
If you want to buy a playhouse, you should pay attention to a few things to ensure that you can enjoy and have fun with the house for a long time:
Material: Garden playhouses are made from various materials, such as wood or plastic. Wood has the advantage of being natural and durable, but it can also absorb moisture and needs to be painted regularly. Plastic is easier to maintain, but is more difficult to repair and extend.
Size: Before buying, think about exactly where the playhouse is to be built and how much space you have available. Make sure that the house will fit in the designated space and that your children have enough room to play in it. The child’s head should not hit the ceiling when they are upright. Otherwise, the extended stay can lead to a misalignment of the back.
Safety: Make sure that the playhouse is sturdily built and that it has no sharp edges or corners. It should also have non-slip steps and a secure door lock.
Base plate: some models also have a base plate. This makes the house stand even better on the ground and it doesn’t get dirty so quickly inside.
Age recommendation: Make sure that the playhouse is suitable for the age of your children. There are models that are suitable for children aged 3 and over and for children aged 5 and over.
Accessories: Some playhouses come with accessories such as swings, slides and sandboxes. Think about whether you want these things and whether they fit into your budget.
Maintenance: If you buy a wooden playhouse, you should be prepared to paint or oil the house at least every 2 years to protect it from the elements.
BUILT FOR OUTDOORS: Made to withstand the weather, this wooden playhouse is pre-treated with a water-based stain that includes UV and mold protection to hold up against the elements.
HOMEY TOUCHES: Fabric curtains, a mailbox and chalkboard help make this outdoor playhouse feel like a real home.
COOK & SERVE MEALS: A BBQ grill has a click-and-turn knob and removable lid so kids can cook up food. Serve it to friends and family at the attached picnic table and benches.
INDOOR SINK: Wash hands and play food at the pretend sink and faucet with moving lever.
EASY ASSEMBLY: Make assembly easier with more help. Two people can set up this item in approximately 2.5 hours or less.
Spacious Interior: Measuring 41.3"*43.3"*66.3", this generously sized playhouse can comfortably accommodate 2-4 children at once. The ample space allows for group play, promoting social skills and cooperative play among friends.
Interactive Small Kitchen: Features a delightful kitchen area complete with a doorbell, flower pot, stove, sink, and clock. These interactive elements foster role-playing and enhance the fun, offering endless hours of entertainment.
Realistic House Design: Meticulously designed to simulate a real house, this playhouse includes fine details such as windows, a front door, and even a doorbell, giving children a true-to-life experience that sparks imagination and creativity.
High-Quality Wooden Construction: Crafted from premium wood, this outdoor kids playhouse offers a beautiful texture and lasts through years of adventurous play. The natural materials ensure a safe environment for your children.
Strong and Sturdy Build: Engineered for durability, this playhouse is robust and stable, providing a secure space for children to explore and play. Parents can feel confident in its ability to withstand energetic play from multiple kids.
MADE OF WOOD: Crafted of premium wood construction and with a timeless, cheerful design with the intent to be passed down from kid to kid.
FOR BIG IMAGINATIONS: Standing at four and half feet tall, this mansion provides an impressive 4 levels and 8 rooms for multiple kids to play without getting in each other's way.
HANDS-ON PLAY: From moving the elevator up and down between floors to opening and closing the double garage doors, there's plenty of role playing for kids to experience.
FULLY FURNISHED: Includes 34 pieces of durable accessories so kids can make the house a home and redecorate over and over again.
EASY ASSEMBLY: Make assembly easier with more help. Two people can set up this item in approximately 2 hours or less.
Kids Wooden Playhouse: Give your kids a place to play outside with this backyard playhouse. This outdoor playhouse includes a door, windows, mailbox, blackboard, bench, service station, and flowerpot holder.
Easy Access: The outdoor play house with a sloping roof has three windows to provide air circulation and keep your little ones comfortable. The half-sized door allows your kids to enter and exit the house quickly.
Fun Gift for Your Kid: Your kid can play pretend with this play house designed to look like a natural home. Help your child express their creativity, develop their social skills and improve their hand-eye coordination.
Solid Structure: The kids outdoor playhouse is made with solid fir wood forms a strong structure for daily use. Suitable for outdoor use.
Kids Playhouse Information: Overall Dimensions: 48" L x 42.5" W x 53.25" H (with roof). Door Dimensions: 15" W x 19" H. Suitable for children 3 to 8 years old. Certification: ASTM F963,CPSIA.
【Material】Use solid wood material made from,100% Firwood can withstand bad weather conditions. Our wood is rot resistant. It's more sturdy and durable for daily use.
【Product Dimensions】42" L x 45" W x 55" H (with roof),Weight: 81 lbs.
【Children's Wooden Playhouse 】Suitable for children 3 to 8 years old. The wooden playhouse is fun for your kids. It will look perfect in your backyard. It has wide windows for breezes and natural light and your kids can play games inside. Its front is with flowerpot holders and a cute half-door. The door helps provide fun and easy in and out. There is a side snack window ideal for serving up drinks and other tasty treats. With easy assembly you will have the playhouse set up and ready for fun in any time.
【Design 】The playhouse is with a cute-half front door and country style details design. It includes flowerpot holders on each side of the front door, windows and side snack window for serving up drinks and all kinds of other play. Our playhouse gives your KIDS a place to play game, explore and improve their social skills.
【Simple & Quick Assembly】Assembly Required, Average assembly time: 5 hours, Recommend 2 adults for assembly. It has Pre-cut, pre-drilled, pre-stained and insturction in AI by the step-by-step. So the playhouse is panelized for quick, easy assembly. If you encounter any problems during assembly, please contact us promptly, and we will respond and resolve the issue within 24 hours to your satisfaction.
LASTING QUALITY: Constructed of premium high-quality wood that is pre-stained and pre-cut for easy assembly
CONTEMPORARY DESIGN: The stylish design features white trim windows, a working door, flower boxes (flowers not included) and wide-open side windows
IMAGINATION ENHANCING: Creative design encourages imaginative play for your little ones to create their own lemonade stand, takeout restaurant, or puppet theater
SPACIOUS LAYOUT: Multiple children can play at the same time safely and conveniently fostering relationships and positive interactions
WARRANTY: 1 year manufacturer's warranty on all parts including wood, hardware and accessories
Realistic Simulation: Our children's playhouse is designed with realistic features, equipped with various simulated facilities such as a kitchen, doorbell, and flower rack. It stimulates children's creativity and imagination.
Sturdy and Durable: Made from high-quality cedar wood, natural and environmentally friendly, with no harmful chemical additives. Let your child play happily in a healthy and safe environment. Precisely cut to prevent any harm to the skin.
Rich and Diverse Design: Every corner of the children's playhouse is filled with surprises and the joy of exploration. It features various interactive elements that help develop their hands-on skills and creative thinking.
Togetherness and Fun: The specially designed spacious layout allows children to explore and collaborate together, fostering their team spirit and social skills. Whether placed in the family entertainment room or the outdoor garden, our playhouse adapts perfectly.
Easy Assembly: Our children's playhouse features a modular design, making the assembly process straightforward and hassle-free. No complicated tools or skills are required—just follow the step-by-step instructions, and you can easily build it.
CAPE COTTAGE DESIGN - The Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse is a stylish addition to your play room and backyard. It has a sweet victorian feel with blue and white color scheme pefect for both girls and boys.
DEVELOP YOUR CHILD'S SKILLS - Multifunctional play house that helps kids develop fine motor skills and cognative abilities. It can help child's social and emotional skills, improve language, encourage problem-solving and build other developmental skills.
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR USE - Our indoor playground for toddlers are water-resistant so you and your little one can use it outdoors too. It features a working door, 2 windows with working shutters, a mail slot and flag holder.
DURABLE AND SAFE - We made sure that your baby is safe as he plays that's why we created this indoor kids playhouse with robust and durable materials. It's cut with precision but with comfortable on every corner.
EASY ASSEMBLY - No hassle. This kids playhouse is straightforward to put together and assemble. Just follow the instruction, very easy like 1, 2, 3.
FUN PLAYTIME: Entertain your little children for hours with pretend sink, fireplace, doorbell, mailbox, and flower boxes, supports role play, develops social skills in children, makes sense of real-life situations
SENSORY PLAYSET: Allows toddlers to engage in activities, develop skills, and acquire important abilities by engaging various senses for holistic development (batteries not included)
FUNCTIONAL STORAGE: Offers abundant storage to keep all toys in order, making clean-up a breeze, assembled dimensions 49.75" H x 53.25" W x 33.75" D
EASY TO CLEAN & ASSEMBLE: Use disinfectant wipes or household cleaners to clean for sanitary play environment, adult assembly required, includes assembly hardware
DURABLE: Built to last, double-walled plastic construction, years of use with colors that won't chip, fade, crack, or peel
IT'S A RED CAPE COTTAGE PLAYHOUSE - Has a sleek and contemporary style. With modern windows, an arched doorway, and brick details this little house will be a perfect first playhouse for any boys or girls who would love to play outdoor and indoor.
IMAGINATIVE ROLE PLAY. Features two working windows and working door. Toddlers will love the fun role-play elements like a working mail slot (mail not included) and flag holder (flag not included) that will spark their imaginations.
EASY TO ASSEMBLE AND STORE - This toddler play house is not difficult or time-consuming to assemble, even your kids can do it with your supervision. Because of its lightweight materials and design, it's easy to move, transport, and store.
HIGH-QUALITY TODDLER PLAYHOUSE - This cute playhouse is sturdy and safely designed for children.
PLAY MATTERS! At Little Tikes, we don't just make toys, we make PLAY! So get out and play! Together, you and your kids can discover a whole wide world around you, unlocking their full potential up until before bedtime. Quality time well spent.
COZY COTTAGE: Showcasing a country half front door, country style details in the design of the playhouse. The Sweetwater includes custom style flower pots on each side of the front door, kitchen with pots, pans, sink, phone, and a working doorbell.
LONG LASTING, WITHSTANDS IN SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS: Why Cedar? Cedar thrives in damp climates, enabling it to withstand many conditions. Our durable cedar wood is rot resistant from the elements.
INDOOR OR OUTDOOR: The Sweetwater playhouse is sturdy and small enough to fit in any size outdoor or indoor area. So when the weather changes, you can keep your child entertained and bring the playhouse indoors.
SAFETY FEATURES: The Sweetwater playhouse provides hours of fun for your little one. The Sweetwater playhouse is made with quality, safe materials. The cedar is pre-cut and built safely, windows are made without any glass, indoor tools are plastic.
ASSEMBLED DIMENSIONS: Box 1: 46 1/2" x 14 3/4" x 15" Weight: 88 lbs. Small and light enough to enjoy outdoor or indoor.
FUN PLAYTIME: Entertain your little children for hours with pretend sink, fireplace, doorbell, and flower boxes, supports role play, develops social skills in children, makes sense of real-life situations
SENSORY PLAYSET: Allows toddlers to engage in activities, develop skills, and acquire important abilities by engaging various senses for holistic development (batteries not included)
FUNCTIONAL STORAGE: Offers abundant storage to keep all toys in order, making clean-up a breeze, assembled dimensions 58" H x 58.75" W x 50.13" D
EASY TO CLEAN & ASSEMBLE: Use disinfectant wipes or household cleaners to clean for sanitary play environment, adult assembly required, includes assembly hardware
DURABLE: Built to last, double-walled plastic construction, years of use with colors that won't chip, fade, crack, or peel
BUILT FOR OUTDOORS: Made to withstand the weather, this wooden playhouse is pre-treated with a water-based stain that includes UV and mold protection to hold up against the elements.
HOMEY TOUCHES: Fabric curtains, a mailbox and chalkboard help make this outdoor playhouse feel like a real home.
COOK & SERVE MEALS: A BBQ grill has a click-and-turn knob and removable lid so kids can cook up food. Serve it to friends and family at the attached picnic table and benches.
INDOOR SINK: Wash hands and play food at the pretend sink and faucet with moving lever.
EASY ASSEMBLY: Make assembly easier with more help. Two people can set up this item in approximately 2.5 hours or less.
Durable Design: Crafted from highly resistant plastic, this playhouse is designed to withstand active play and the elements. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, ensuring fun all year round.
Easy Assembly: The playhouse can be quickly and effortlessly assembled, allowing children to start playing without any long waits. The compact design makes it easy to move and store.
Encourages Imagination: Featuring a barbecue, folding windows, a letter box, and a cat flap, this cottage fosters imaginative role play, helping children to recreate and explore real-life scenarios.
Educational Fun: Role-playing in the playhouse enables children to practice imitation games that are crucial for their social and cognitive development. It encourages creativity and empathy.
Safe for Young Kids: The playhouse is designed for children aged 2 years and above, providing a safe and engaging environment. Its size (84 x 103 x 104 cm) is perfect for young adventurers.
CANOPY COVERED PLAYHOUSE: Kiddos can have their own backyard party with the Step2 All Around Playtime Patio and Canopy. It’s a shaded, open pavilion-style toddler playset with neutral colors and realistic stacked stone detailing for an attractive design.
INTERACTIVE, 360 DEGREE PLAY: Kids can use the grill playset and enjoy a meal at the table. They can wash dishes at the molded-in sink or play in the built-in sand and water table. A 16-piece accessory kit included for enhanced pretend play.
ROOM FOR MULTIPLE KIDS: Friends can play together inside or outside of the pavilion-style backyard playhouse. The working doors let little ones in and out, while the canopy cover keeps them out of the direct sun. Assembled dimensions: 60" H x 47.5" W x 47.5" D
UNMATCHED DURABILITY: This kids’ playset is made with durable, double-walled plastic construction with molded-in colors that won’t chip, fade, crack, or peel so it will last through generations. Plus, it’s low maintenance – just wipe down as needed.
SKILL-BUILDING FUN: A kids outdoor playset provides hours of fun for toddlers and preschoolers, encouraging little ones to develop fine motor skills, role-playing, language skills and critical thinking.
Spacious Design: Big playhouse for boys and girls from 24 months and up, offering a great play space for kids to invent and create fun stories with all their friends.
Imaginative Play: This playhouse helps children establish their own roles by emulating their environment and practising imitation games important for their upbringing.
Durable Construction: Made of strong, durable plastic, it ensures long-lasting use and can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors for versatile play options.
Easy Assembly: Features an easy click clack assembly system without requiring any tools. House dimensions are 122 cm x 103 cm x 104 cm, providing ample space.
Interactive Elements: Includes folding windows, a letter box, barbecue at the back, and a cat flap, making the playhouse even more engaging for kids and their pets.
FUN PLAYTIME: Entertain your little children for hourswith pretend sink, window shutters, flower pot, doorbell, and skylight, supports role play, develops social skills in children, makes sense of real-life situations
SENSORY PLAYSET: Allows toddlers to engage in activities, develop skills, and acquire important abilities by engaging various senses for holistic development (batteries not included)
FUNCTIONAL STORAGE: Offers abundant storage to keep all toys in order, making clean-up a breeze, assembled dimensions 58" H x 47" W x 53" D
EASY TO CLEAN & ASSEMBLE: Use disinfectant wipes or household cleaners to clean for sanitary play environment, adult assembly required, includes assembly hardware
DURABLE: Built to last, double-walled plastic construction, years of use with colors that won't chip, fade, crack, or peel
The Most Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ About Playhouses
Why Do I Need a Playhouse?
A garden playhouse has many advantages! Here are some of the reasons why you should consider a garden playhouse:
Encouraging child development: playhouses offer children the opportunity to exercise their imagination and creativity and develop their motor skills by climbing in and out, playing and moving around.
Creating a retreat: Children need a place where they can retreat and have their own adventures. A garden playhouse can provide this place and give children a sense of independence and autonomy.
Encouraging family time: A garden playhouse can also be a place where families can come together and spend time together. Parents can watch their children play and join them to spend quality time together.
Enhancing the garden: A garden playhouse can also help to make the garden more attractive and varied. It can become a focal point for the garden and help children learn to appreciate nature and the environment.
Entertainment: A playhouse can keep children entertained and occupied, offering them an alternative to electronic devices and TV. It can also be used to invite friends over and encourage children’s social skills.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of wooden garden playhouses?
Advantages:
Natural: Wood has a natural beauty and can fit well into a garden. It also has a pleasant smell and can provide an enjoyable play experience for children.
Durable: Wood is sturdy and long-lasting when properly cared for. A wooden garden playhouse can last for decades.
Customizable: Wood can be easily painted or varnished, making it easy to customize the playhouse to the child’s or garden’s wishes.
Easier to repair: Broken or worn wooden slats can be replaced quickly and inexpensively.
Disadvantages:
Maintenance-intensive: Wood requires regular care to stay in good condition. The playhouse must be painted or oiled annually to protect it from the weather and pests.
Sensitive to moisture: Wood can absorb moisture and become moldy. You should make sure that the playhouse is well ventilated and dry.
Difficult to transport: Wood is heavier than other materials and can be difficult to transport, especially larger models.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Plastic Playhouses?
Advantages:
Easy to maintain: plastic requires little maintenance and does not need to be painted or oiled. It is easy to clean and has a long service life.
Easy to transport: Plastic is lighter than wood and can be transported more easily, especially with larger models.
Weatherproof: Plastic is resistant to moisture, rain, snow and sunlight.
Disadvantages:
Appearance: plastic does not have the natural beauty of wood and can look out of place in some gardens.
Unsafe materials: Some cheap models can be made from toxic and unsafe materials and may not meet health requirements.
Less durable: A plastic garden playhouse may not last as long as a wooden one. It can fade and become brittle if it is exposed to a lot of sunlight or if it is affected by extreme temperatures.
