How to Make Your Play House Last Longer and Get Kids to Use Their Imagination More
A playhouse is a kid’s dream toy, and it can help kids spend more time outdoors, develop social skills and boost their creativity. But, no matter how cool the toy is or how excited they get about it in the beginning, kids usually lose interest and go back to playing video games or watching TV. However, if you know some tricks to keep the fire burning, then it’s possible to make your playhouse last longer and get kids to use their imagination more often.
One of the most important things that children learn by playing pretend is how to deal with emotions. That’s why it is so important for parents to encourage their children to express their feelings while they play house. This also helps them develop a strong sense of self-esteem and makes them more confident in their own abilities. Talking aloud to their toys or themselves is also a great way for children to practice using their words to communicate their feelings, expand their play plans and problem-solve.
As a result, many parents are now willing to invest in high-end playhouses that not only offer a great space for their children to enjoy imaginative play, but also serve as a kind of backyard installation art. Many of these structures are custom-built on site to the parents’ specifications, or prefabricated and shipped in parts for assembly by their contractors or handymen. Heather Hach Hearne, a screenwriter in Los Angeles, had hers built by Kids Crooked House, which sells whimsically wonky structures that look like buildings from cartoons. Hers cost about $2,450. Other companies produce playhouses with more modern aesthetics, such as an Illinois model that looks like the type of house that Mies van der Rohe might have designed if he had been into children’s playgrounds.
Another important feature of a good playhouse is privacy. When kids are in a playhouse, they can feel as though they are in their own world away from the prying eyes of their parents. They can also practice teamwork by working together to run their imaginary businesses or clinics for stuffed animals. They can even plan and organize their own play events with friends and siblings.
The first step in building a playhouse is to prepare the ground and build a foundation for the structure. You should use a level and pavers to construct a flat base for the joists to sit on. You should also use sand to fill in low spots so that the playhouse won’t settle later on. Once the joists are in place, they can be covered with a layer of plywood. This layer will protect the joists from moisture and help prevent the playhouse from becoming too damp or cold. If you are planning on installing windows, be sure to install them with a waterproof membrane. Otherwise, the windows could leak and cause serious damage to the playhouse later on.
