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The 7 best playhouses on the market
Outdoor and indoor playhouses are flying off the shelves - catch yours while you can...
To many people, young and old, playhouses are the crux of our most fantastical childhood memories. Come rain or shine, they not only give children a bit of space to call their own, but a home for expanding their imagination.
But with so many different styles and unique features available, it's not quite as easy to find the perfect playhouse as it once was.
To help, we’ve put together a guide to the very best playhouses on the market to help you find exactly what your family needs.
The best playhouses available to buy now
1. TP Meadow Cottage Playhouse and Kitchen
If you have a wannabe chef or two in the family, they will love this adorable (and affordable) wooden playhouse and kitchen set-up. While the outdoor kitchen isn’t functional, per se, the set comes with play utensils and stencils to create a fun and safe place for breakfast-, lunch- and dinner-time play.
The FSC-certified wood (European pine and spruce) does have to be treated and painted before it’s used outside, but neither requires any particular expertise. You also have the added flexibility of painting it in your child’s favourite colours. For ages three and up, one-year manufacturer's guarantee included.
2. Kid-Eco Cardboard Igloo Playhouse Kit
If you’re not sure whether it’s worth investing in a full-sized outdoor playhouse yet, a recyclable playhouse is a brilliant and cheap alternative. In this case, you can put together a life-sized cardboard igloo and tunnel with your child. Made out of 80 per cent recycled and fully biodegradable cardboard, the non-conventional playhouse is incredibly easy to build and spacious enough for a six year old to stand up inside (with two to three other small children sitting down). If your child is artistically inclined, it’s also a brilliant canvas for little snow sketches.
3. Keter Wonderfold Plastic Playhouse
Though this smart little playhouse is on the cheaper end of the playhouse spectrum, it comes with many handy features. Its roof actually doubles as a folding carry-case when the house is out of use and takes only a couple of seconds to assemble or disassemble. Of course, its hard-wearing resin is not quite as strong as a fully-built wooden playhouse, but the option to move the playhouse indoors or outdoors when needed is an added bonus. It can even be popped into a car boot for day trips or adventures. For ages two and up.
4. Shire 8 X 9 Ft Lodge & Bunk Large Wooden Playhouse With Veranda
If you’re in the mood to spoil your little one, splurge on this gorgeous, luxury playhouse (which, thanks to a large veranda, looks like an actual house) from Shire. Size-wise, it’s the biggest of the lot - eight feet wide and nine feet tall - with more than enough room for friends and family to join in the fun. The FSC-certified wood comes unpainted, as typical, ready for the paints or stains of your choosing, and all fixings. Instructions are as clear as its plastic-glazed dormer windows. As an added bonus, Wickes offer an optional installation service to help busy parents focus on the fun.
5. TP Wooden Multiplay Playhouse
Active children will love this wooden playhouse, which not only has a deck to play on, but a ladder, swirly slide and shaded sandpit (liner included) to keep their adventures moving. The FSC-certified wood can also support up to 150kg, making it a safe and sturdy choice for boisterous little ones. For ages three and up, one-year manufacturer’s guarantee included.
6. Kid-Eco Cardboard Rocket Playhouse Kit
Like the igloo playhouse, this rocket-shaped cardboard creation is not only environmentally friendly (80 per cent recycled cardboard and fully biodegradable), but a dream come true for wannabe space explorers. Complete with a launch window and planetary cut outs, this playhouse can be put up inside, outside (in dry conditions) or stored away for rainy day adventures. No tools required - unless you have a future space engineer around, of course!
7. Little Tikes Cape Cottage
The delight is in the details with this cute plastic playhouse. Starting at its entrance, ‘Cape Cottage’ comes with an arched doorway, contemporary door and mail slot (perfect for some reading and writing play), working window shutters, and brick detailing. Thanks to large plastic pieces and screws, it’s also fairly easy to put together, meaning delivery to play time takes less than an hour. For ages two and up, one year manufacturer’s guarantee included.
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