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.
Cozy Cottage: A kid's outdoor playhouse allows your kids to engage their imaginations and "play house". This charming cottage features a front entrance, retro windows, two plant boxes, and two adorable planter pots.
Colorful Childhood: This kid's playhouse has bright colors, a fairy-tale appearance, and a wide interior space to create a colorful activity space for children.
Outdoor Use: Crafted from fir wood, this outside playhouse is built to last and won't delaminate over time. Its well-designed roof is tilted to efficiently divert rainwater away, preventing the wood from getting soaked and ensuring a shaded area for your child.
Educational playhouse: Encourage your children to enhance their imagination, socialize, and develop language skills by engaging in imaginative play with friends and family in this delightful outdoor playhouse.
Wooden Playhouse Info: Overall Dimensions: 44.9" L x 49.8" W x 53.1" H. Eave Height: 39" H. Suitable for 3-8 years old. Assembly required.
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.
Perfect Gift: This sturdy and durable playhouse will be an ideal present for your loved ones this season. The Cottage Playhouse promotes dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and is ideal for creative role-playing sessions and a perfect gift for kids and toddlers.
Durable and Long-lasting: This playhouse is made from strong sturdy wood that is safe to play with for kids and toddlers. This wooden playhouse is easy to assemble so the kids can play in it for hours without worrying.
Easy to install: It comes equipped with easy-to-install instructions that make it usable as an indoor or outdoor kids wooden cottage style playhouse. Our wooden playhouse greatly saves more house space and is easier for mobile use.
Play, Learn and Create: Big Game Hunters’ realistic kids and toddlers wooden playhouse cottage style set is ideal for entertaining your kid for hours with a realistic design, multiple windows with working wooden door, supports role play, develop social skills, make sense of real-life situations.
DIY: The little ones can draw, scribble or paint over the surface as they play grownup all day with this wooden cottage playhouse for indoors and outdoors that is made with a realistic design that mimics a cottage cabin look, and have fun playing with the multiple fun features.
【COZY COTTAGE】: Enhance your child's playtime with the UHOMEPRO Outdoor Playhouse! Featuring an upgraded chimney and eaves, it looks more realistic and beautiful. Custom-style planters, and a fully-equipped kitchen with pots, pans, a sink, and a working doorbell make this playhouse truly magical.
【THOUGHTFUL DESIGN】: Animals are family too! The UHOMEPRO Outdoor Playhouse features a charming, curtain-covered pet door on the back, making it easy for your dog, cat, or other small pets to join in the fun. It's the perfect addition to create a welcoming space for all family members.
【EDUCATIONAL USE】: Foster learning and creativity at Kid's Playhouse. Designed to encourage imaginative play, it features two clocks to help develop cognitive skills, social interaction, and communication abilities. It's the perfect space for your child's growth and fun!
【SAFETY FEATURES】: The UHOMEPRO Playhouse offers years of fun for your child! Crafted from high-quality, safe materials, this outdoor playhouse features pre-cut wood and shatterproof, glass-free windows. Inside, all tools are made of durable plastic, ensuring a secure and enjoyable playtime experience.
【WOODEN TOY HOUSE INFORMATION】: Overall dimensions: 45.3"L x 43.3"W x 64.6"H. Door height: 35.8"H. Suitable for children aged 4-8. Assembly required. (Have questions? Contact UHOMEPRO customer service for warm and friendly assistance!)
【Best Gift for Children】Children can play pretend games with this wooden play house. It can cultivate children's social skills, improve their hand-eye coordination, motor skills, cognitive skills, social skills and independence. This wooden playhouse is a perfect gift for boys and girls on birthdays, Children's Day, Christmas or special holidays.
【Solid Wood Material】This house for kids is made of natural fir wood, which is durable, rainproof and anti-corrosion, and can withstand harsh weather conditions. It is very suitable for outdoor use, such as: backyard, garden, lawn, terrace, etc. It can also be moved indoors for use.
【Country Style Design】The toddler play house features a cute half front door and country style details. It includes flower pot racks on both sides of the front door, windows and side snack windows for holding drinks and various other games. The design with openings on all four sides provides air circulation and keeps your child comfortable.
【Easy to Assemble】The outdoor house is pre-drilled and provided with screws. It adopts a panelized numbered design. It can be easily assembled according to the steps in the instruction manual. Our product details page also has a detailed video installation tutorial.
【Rest Assured Service】Our outside playhouse has passed ASTM F963, CPSIA, SOR safety certification. Ensure the safety of children. If you have any questions or suggestions about our products, please feel free to contact our customer service team. We will do our best to provide you with the most satisfactory service.
Kids Outdoor Playhouse: Give your kids a place to play outside with this outdoor play house. It includes a door, windows, an open serving station, and flowerpot holders.
Easy Access: The toddler playhouse has an open serving station and 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 playhouse for kids 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 outside playhouse is made with solid fir wood forms a strong structure for daily use. Suitable for outdoor use.
Kids Playhouse Information: Overall Dimensions: 46.75" L x 38.25" W x 54.25" H. Door Dimensions: 14.25" W x 15" H. Suitable for children 3 to 8 years old. Certification: ASTM F963, CPSIA.
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.
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, 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.
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
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 hours with pretend sink, oven, stove, grill, doorbell, and skylight, supports role play, develops social skills in children, makes sense of real-life situations
INTERACTIVE TOYS: Realistic sounds, 52-piece toy kitchen play set, enhance playtime with cooking pot, tongs, oven mitt, trays, plates, utensils, s'mores, food (batteries not included)
FUNCTIONAL STORAGE: Offers abundant storage to keep all toys in order, making clean-up a breeze, assembled dimensions 50" H x 63" W x 36" 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
Imaginative play: The playhouse includes 2 hinged windows, 1 letter box, 1 cat flap, and various stickers to decorate the home, fostering creativity and pretend play.
Durable construction: It is made of high strength plastic, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, ensuring long-lasting fun and durability.
Easy assembly: Assembly is very simple with included tools and an instruction manual, allowing you to set up the house quickly and effortlessly.
Perfect for young children: Recommended for boys and girls from 2 years of age, providing a safe and enjoyable play environment that suits young imaginations.
Veterinary kit included: The playhouse includes a kit of 11 veterinary accessories, adding an extra layer of fun and educational role-play opportunities for your child.
Indoor and Outdoor Playset for Kids: Portable, roomy, and folding playhouse offers kids endless adventures in the comfort of your own backyard or inside your home
Realistic Play House Feel: Cottage features bright colors, tiled roof, open windows, uneven wall textures, and a lockable door with rounded corners and open design to protect your kids as they play
Safe Materials: Kids playhouse is made with high-quality, environmentally friendly plastic that is odorless and durable while maintaining a safe and odor-free environment for your kids
Toddler Playhouse Easy Assembly: Foldable playhouse is easy to assemble inside or out with detailed assembly instructions and a screw-less design; Easily folds down for storage or travel
Kids Cottage Playhouse Specs: Kids plastic playhouse dimensions (L x W x H): 38.5 x 36 x 45.5 inches; Weight: 21 pounds; Recommended for kids ages 2 years old and up
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.
