How to Make Your Play House Stand Out

Play House is the perfect place to let kids’ imaginations soar, promoting creative thinking and encouraging sensory and physical development. But there’s more to a playhouse than just fun in the sun: it can help them learn about their community, build self-esteem and social skills, and develop resilience.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a playhouse is what features your child will find engaging. For example, if they love water play, you’ll want to look for a model that incorporates a splash pool or a hose. If they’re physically active, a climbable rock wall or slide will be a big draw.

Some of the best playhouses feature a mix of these features to provide the widest range of options. One example is the Mainstay, a simple yet beautiful cedar playhouse that comes with rounded edges and a line-of-sight window design for safe play. The shingles are weatherproof and the interior space is large enough for multiple children to play at once. It’s also easy to assemble and comes in both natural cedar or a painted white finish. The only drawback is its limited age range—it’s suggested for use by children two-to-four, which means your little ones may outgrow it before they do.

Another way to make your playhouse stand out is by adding a welcome mat to the front door. This adds a cute and functional element that lets kids know they’re invited inside for a tea party, snack time, or any other reason you can imagine. The mat also helps keep the structure clean and reduces the amount of dirt that gets tracked inside when kids are playing outside.

You can also dress up your playhouse by lining the windows with flower pots or adding a shingled roof for extra visual appeal. To give your playhouse a magical touch, you can string outdoor twinkle lights around the perimeter, although be sure to use LEDs that are made for the outdoors.

While you’re shopping for a playhouse, make sure it has a long warranty and meets product safety standards. Look for certification logos from the Consumer Products Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials. These organizations set and maintain safety standards that manufacturers must adhere to in order to display their logos.

In addition to ensuring that your playhouse is safe, you’ll want to make sure it is easy to move and store. Some models, like the Radio Flyer treetop tower, fold flat, which makes them perfect for closet storage or to put in the trunk of your car for outdoor play when the weather permits.

Another option is the Play-Crafts Cottage, a modular building system that offers add-ons to expand the playhouse’s functionality. The basic package includes five Teslin panels, a hover platform, and hardware for assembly, but you can buy additional squares and rectangles to expand the size of your playhouse. The company also sells a variety of accessories, such as a whiteboard and chalkboard, to encourage children’s creativity.