Thoughts on playhouses

WasNotWas

So I'm going to make an outdoor wonderland for the kids and in traditional Was fashion I am overthinking it.

I want to have stuff out there that I don't need to maintain (no sandbox) or have to check for critters in (like a teepee or something).

I have decided that a playhouse fits the bill and can't decide if I need one with a floor. If I get one with a floor it will need to be cleaned, but one with no floor = having to pick an extra kid-friendly filler for the area.

Anyone have any suggestions/insight?

daffy2k

These crooked playhouses are pretty neat https://pinterest.com/pin/471259548481143531/ 

And I like something like this myself... You could skip the sandbox under the playhouse if you'd rather not do sand  https://pinterest.com/pin/326088829240029430/ 

daffy2k

Bump glitch

daffy2k

Double post...

WasNotWas

Those look awesome @daffy2k but them being so closed off worries me. I'd have to check for critters before the kids went in everyday...

Western Diva

https://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=/product/index.jsp?productId=12459963&cp=2255956.2273442.2255969.2257593.3130012&parentPage=family&domain=http://www.toysrus.com

We for this one for the boys and I really like it!

Western Diva

https://m.toysrus.com/skava/static/product.html?type=TRU_product_us&url=/product/index.jsp?productId=12459963&cp=2255956.2273442.2255969.2257593.3130012&parentPage=family&domain=http://www.toysrus.com

We got this one for the boys and I really like it!

daffy2k

Oh I guess... Things are different down there in the south. Up here the only critters we would have to worry about are squirrels, lol

WasNotWas

@daffy2k said:

Oh I guess... Things are different down there in the south. Up here the only critters we would have to worry about are squirrels, lol

My first thought would be snakes, but really, all animals are looking to escape the heat!

daffy2k

Yeah, I'd be scared of snakes too... It may be cold up here in canada, but I'm really happy I don't need to deal with dangerous critters like that on a regular basis. We have big dangerous animals, but a bear or a cougar probably aren't going to be hanging out in the yard, let alone the playhouse.

daffy2k

I'm just pinteresting ideas now, lol https://pinterest.com/pin/247416573251672631/

daffy2k

https://pinterest.com/pin/130956301638651214/

daffy2k

Or what about something like the second pin in my first post, but instead of walls on the playhouse just do a roof and railings. Then it would be easy to see in for critters. I would hang some fun outdoor drapes that tie off to the sides. Once they are older they could open as close as they like, but while they are young just leave it wide open

daffy2k

So I just added Florida to my Pinterest search (hoping others had the same concern as you and had a solution)... Well one of the pins that came up was of Octomom stripping in a Florida gentlemens club... Gross!

amie444

We got a plastic one for birthday. It has a floor. I just bought a toy broom set. We spray it out with a hose for now. I plan on N learning to sweep soon, now that she is walking. If the windows and doors shut, critters should not be able to get in

WasNotWas

Ok I really like this one, but @42Butterflies‌ @Western Diva‌ and others...is climbing all over the house something I want to encourage?

WasNotWas

And, not a playhouse, but this looks pretty cool, with like a grill too

ColieAnn31

I like both of those @WasNotWas‌ !! Here is a grill I found that looks pretty cool

WasNotWas

@ColieAnn31‌ that was the same one I was looking at!!

ColieAnn31

It's so cool! I've been looking at lots of outdoor toys now lol

Western Diva

I think if they're gonna climb, then they're gonna climb. Depends on the kid.

WasNotWas

@Western Diva said:

I think if they're gonna climb, then they're gonna climb. Depends on the kid.

Apparently the light on it is actually a light!!

daffy2k

I agree with @42Butterflies‌. While both of those are super cute, I wonder if Bradley would really get much use out of it.

WasNotWas

Great points @42butterflies and @daffy2k‌ what about this one? Gone away from a house and to a climber

BunnyLove416

My friend has that last one you posted for her daughter and she loves it. Her daughter will be 5 this month and she's been using it for the last 2 years pretty regularly. Last year they had her birthday party in the backyard and all the kids went wild climbing and sliding. 

daffy2k

I like the climber idea. Also backyard-y, but not even close to anything we've been posting... Have you considered a trampoline? Either as an additional toy or instead of a playhouse/climber? We ended up buying one for M even though she is way to young to really "get" it after she tried one out at a friend's house. I filled the enclosure with ball pit balls and she crawls and "jumps" (right now that involves bending her knees and making herself move up and down, feet don't leave the mat yet). Sometimes we take the balls out and she runs and plays with us on there. Her balance is amazing as a result of having to walk on such an unsteady surface. It would be something that would have to be approached more cautiously with two Littles, as B might not always be aware of Ty on there, but definitely could work for the two of them soon. I know as kids, the trampoline was probably the one backyard play thing we used the longest. My H's 14 year old brother has been using the hell out of ours the whole month he's been here. So great for all ages!