What's So Great About Playhouses?

"What's so great about outdoor playhouses?" ...Muttered no parent ever! Imagination and creativity were apart of our childhoods, in the forms of trees forts, little wooden houses, and anything else we could construct from all the elements of nature in our backyard. Modern kids should have the same experiences! In a technologically advanced world where video games and reality television reign supreme, it's important to show your children the beauty of their natural surroundings. A playhouse is a great way to get kids interested in something other than a big screen.

My personal favorites are:

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KidKraft Outdoor Playhouse

This playhouse looks like a log cabin! Cottage-style and large enough to accommodate at least 4 tiny tykes, this rugged lodge is weather resistant with wide windows and a mailbox next to the front entry. The only downside would be no floor, which means you'll have to place this play-set on a smooth surface, such as a patio or near a garage.

Buy it @ Amazon Toys

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Step2 Sweetheart Playhouse

Overflowing with wholesome fun, this playhouse is comprised from molded plastic with heart decorations, perfect as a cozy spot for your youngsters. The full-size door is small enough to accommodate the tiniest of tots and big enough for those who've had growth spurts. A skylight provides tons of natural light, along with decked out window shutters in a stunning lavender hue. The inside is equipped with the best playtime accommodations, from a cordless phone to a flip-over range.

Buy it @ Amazon Toys

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Little Tikes Secret Garden Playhouse

Straight out of a storybook, this fairytale-based beauty comes complete with a gated side entrance that doubles as a garden crawlspace. Your kids can pretend they've ventured to another world, surrounded by a built-in table with a premium awning and awesome outside décor. It's a dream area for all your little bookworms-to-be!

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Your Kids, Their Friends, & Playhouses

Backyard playhouses are where every little girl and boy will want to be when the summer swelter hits. Do you remember romping in your neighborhood with your group of friends until the outside lights clicked on? It was a carefree feeling; one of independence and personal freedom that so many kids seem to lack nowadays. And there was always that one house where everyone would gather because cookies, lemonade, tree forts, and the great things about summer happened there. It was a paradise in the mind of every preteen and post-toddler on the block!

Now, you have the chance to be the safe haven for your kids and their friends. Plus, your kids will be the popular talks of the neighborhood, while you'll gain status as the "cool mom" or "super awesome dad."

Even if your children choose not to share their summer retreat with others in their community, playhouses give kids a reason to go outdoors and enjoy nature. Too many are stuck inside with a television or video games as their only companions, when there is so much to enjoy right outside their back door.

Some of the current popular choices for outside fun are:

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KidKraft My Woodland Playhouse

Complete with paned windows on every wall for a 360 view, this cottage-style playhouse is lined on every windowsill with flowerpots and little decorations. The inside can hold multiple mini-occupants, whereas the outside is equipped with a grill counter for those mock BBQ meals.


Buy it @ Amazon Toys
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Step2 Gather & Grille Playhouse

The built-in grill and 2-seater bench are great for entertaining several tykes at one time. The large windows and Dutch door offer optimum opportunity for your little ones to amuse their closest friends. Colorful and cozy, this playhouse has all the perks of home without the hassle of chores.

Buy it @ Amazon Toys