Choosing the Right Playhouse: Wood vs. Plastic – A Comprehensive Comparison
ᐅ PAGE CONTENTS
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.
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.
❤ KIDS WOODEN PLAYHOUSE: Give your kids a place to play outside with this kids playhouse outdoor This outdoor playhouse includes 1 door, 2 windows, 3 serving station, 1 blackboard, 1 curtain and 2 flowerpot holder. Wooden playhouse is perfect gift for kids boys girls Birthday, Children's Day, Christmas or Special Festivals.
❤ OUTDOOR PLAYHOUSE FOR KIDS: Overall Dimension: 44.6" L x 39" W x 50.9" H, outdoor playhouse is great gift for 3-6 ages boys girl Birthday, Children's Day, Special Festival, Christmas Day.
❤ FUN GIFT FOR YOUR KID: Your kid can play pretend with this play house wooden cottage for kids designed to look like a real home! This toddler playhouse can help your child express their creativity, develop their social skills and improve their hand-eye coordination. Suitable for children 3 to 6 years old.
❤ 1 DOOR & 2 WINDOW : The wooden play house has 1 door, 3 open serving station and 2 windows to provide air circulation and keep your little ones comfortable. The half-sized door allows your kids to enter and exit the house easily.
❤ OUTDOOR WOODEN COTTAGE: The playhouse is made with coated and natural fir wood for a structure that is solid and suitable for outdoor garden, lawn, patio, yard use. You can also paint different colors and show your children the different scenery in the four seasons.
Kids Wooden Playhouse: Give your kids a place to play outside with this outdoor playhouse! It includes a door, windows, bench, service station and flowerpot holders.
Easy Access: The wooden play house with tilt roof has 2 windows to provide air circulation and keep your little ones comfortable. The half-sized door allows your kids to enter and exit the house easily.
Fun Gift for Your Kid: Your kid can play pretend with this toddler playhouse designed to look like a real home! Help your child express their creativity, develop their social skills and improve their hand-eye coordination.
Solid Structure: The kids outdoor playhouse is made of sturdy fir wood forms a strong structure for daily use. Includes a bench for rest, which can hold up to 110 lbs.
Kids Playhouse Information: Overall Dimension(with roof): 44.5"W x 37"D x 53"H. Door Size: 15.25"W x 19.75"H. Suitable for children 3 to 7 years old. Certification: ASTM F963, CPSIA.
EASY ON THE WALLET: Our swing set was created for every family that is looking to give their kids a place to play and pretend, while, being easy on the wallet.
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.
OLD WEST SALOON: Features saloon doors with sunburst windows. Full play kitchen with cooktop, mounted sink and faucet. Your kids will enjoy pretending in this playhouse with so many fun and unique features.
IT'S TIME FOR A NAP! The Scenic Heights playhouse is more than just a playhouse, full home features with a comfortable green and white cushion on a wooden cot. Your kids won't mind nap time here.
RAISED PLAYHOUSE: One of a kind design, the Scenic Heights playhouse is raised with full wooden staircase and standard step ladder. Features two toy boxes so you don't have to worry about storage, the Scenic Heights playhouse has that covered.
Cozy Cottage: Spark your child's imagination with this adorable wooden playhouse designed like a charming cottage. It includes a left front door, six windows, and a plant box, which provides a cozy space for endless adventures and lasting childhood memories.
Outdoor Use: This versatile outdoor playhouse lets your kids enjoy the outdoors. Suitable for garden or patio use, it brings the fun and excitement of outdoor play right to their fingertips.
Educational Use: Foster learning and creativity with this kid's playhouse. It encourages imaginative play and helps develop cognitive skills, social interaction, and communication skills.
Internal Flooring: Ensure comfort and safety for your child with internal flooring. They can play, sit, and crawl, knowing they are in a secure, more clean space.
Outside Playhouse Info: Overall Dimensions: 41.1" L x 43.3" W x 53.9" H. Qualified Age: 2+ Years. Recommend Age: 3-8 Years. Qualification: CPSIA, ASTM F963. Assembly required.
WEB SWING: It's a playhouse and swing set in one with the addition of the attached web swing. This sturdy spider-like rope swing attaches to the wood beam jutting from the playhouse.
PLENTY OF PLAY: Enter the scalloped half door with magnetic closure to role play house. The outside of the wooden house has a graphic fabric wall for extended storytelling. House can accommodate up to five kids, ages 3 to 7.
INDOOR KITCHEN: Play kitchen includes sink, faucet and burner with fire-inspired graphics. Kids can turn the knobs for realistic role playing. Also includes three accessories: pot, pan and spatula that conveniently store on the hanging pegs.
BUILT FOR OUTDOORS: Made to withstand the weather, this wooden backyard set is pre-treated with a water-based stain that includes UV and mold protection to hold up against the elements.
EASY-TO-FOLLOW ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS: Download the free BILT App from the Apple App Store or Google Play for digital and 3D assembly instructions to make setup and installation easy to follow. Average assembly time is 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
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.
LEARN & PLAY: Year-round entertainment for toddlers ages 2 to 10, outdoor in the backyard or inside a playroom, multiple kids can engage in active play
SENSORY PLAYSET: Allows toddlers to engage in activities, develop skills, and acquire important abilities by engaging various senses for holistic development
REALISTIC FEATURES: Functional doorbell with dutch-style doors, windows, tabletop, fireplace, skylight, molded-in sink and storage, ready for kids to play Restaurant, Backyard BBQ, or Drive Thru
EASY ASSEMBLY: Effortless assembly process, with authentic stone, faux wood finishes, flowerboxes, blends nicely in the backyard
DURABLE: Built to last and easy to clean, durable double-walled plastic construction, years of use with colors that won't chip, fade, crack, or peel
SENSORY PLAYSET: Engages multiple sense for holistic development, allowing toddlers to play, learn, and develop essential skills
KID-FRIENDLY: Accommodates wheelchairs, making it accessible to every kid, suitable for indoor and outdoor play, assembled dimensions 60" H x 47.5" W x 47.5" D
INTERACTIVE ACCESSORIES: 16-piece accessory kit to play, enhance playtime with grill and sink, snack table, water table, cover for sand included, food models and sand not included in set
REMOVABLE CANOPY: Sun protection during outdoor fun or easy to remove for space-saving indoor play, pretend and play on a realistic outdoor kitchen that looks like the grown-ups
UNMATCHED STRENGTH AND DURABILITY: Built to last with double-walled construction, this playhouse is easy to assemble, ensures years of fun and adventure for your children
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.
LEARN and PLAY: Year-round entertainment for toddlers ages 1.5 plus , outdoor in the backyard or inside a playroom, multiple kids can engage in active play
SENSORY PLAYSET: Allows toddlers to engage in activities, develop skills, and acquire important abilities by engaging various senses for holistic development
REALISTIC FEATURES: Functional shutter and doorbell with Dutch-style doors, play phone, windows, tabletop, fireplace, skylight, molded-in sink, backyard BBQ, and drive thru
EASY ASSEMBLY: Effortless assembly process, realistic stacked stone and a classic color palette, assembled dimensions: 49.75"H x 53.25"W x 33.75"D
DURABLE: Built to last, double-walled plastic construction, years of use with colors that won't chip, fade, crack, or peel, low maintenance
HOURS OF ENTERTAINMENT: Stimulate kid’s imagination with the House of Fun from Palplay; a detailed spacious & sturdy playhouse resembling a real house for pretend play & backyard fun!
EVERYONE CAN PLAY: There is enough room for several kids to play at the same time. So roomy you can fit a table & some chairs inside!
PLAYHOUSE FEATURES: Every detail sculpted for a real-house feel: open design with clear views, door mail slot, balcony, hinged windows, & working doors that open & close soundly.
DURABLE & DEPENDABLE: Made from the highest quality raw materials, this playhouse for kids is designed to last. For indoor or outdoor use, the Palplay House of Fun is perfectly safe.
SPECIFICATIONS: Recommended for children ages 2 & up. Overall dimensions: 50.7'' H x 42.5'' W x 44.9'' L. Overall Product Weight: 32.56 lbs. Simple assembly required.
Creates a fun vibrant space for kids to call their own
Ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments
Fits through standard 36” doorways
Requires two AAA batteries, not included
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.
