Outdoor Houses For Toddlers

I have a 2 year old and 7 year old boy. The 2 year old loves the playhouses at his Grandma's house. The 7 year old has grown out of them a bit now but he has played in them lots over the last few years. They have played with playhouses not only at Grandma's house but at friend's houses, playgroups and nurseries. This article details the features my boys have enjoyed at the playhouses they have experienced. So if you're looking for a playhouse for your kids, you might find the information useful.

Choosing the Best Outdoor Playhouses for Toddlers

Consider the following features when choosing a playhouse for toddlers.

• Does it have a kitchen for toddlers to play with?
• Are there other features to encourage imaginative play such as a doorbell, phone or mailbox?
• Would you prefer an open plan design so you can keep an eye on your toddler or are you happy to have an enclosed house?
• Would you like to be able to comfortably sit in the house with your toddler at times?

What My Son Likes About A Playhouse

Window with shutters
My son loves opening and shutting the window shutters on the playhouse he plays with at his Grandma's house. 

Doors that open and close
Toddlers also love to open and close the doors and come in and out. Doors are great for imaginative play as well. You can let in  your guests and knock on the door to be let in too. 

Extra play accessories
Playhouses come with all kinds of accessories that toddlers love. Doorbells are often a favorite. Kitchens, tables, sinks, cupboards, mailboxes, phones and other accessories are all brilliant for imaginative play. 

What Parents Look for In A Playhouse

Able to see in the playhouse easily through a window or doorway

Size of the playhouse
The size of the playhouse you require will depend on the space you have to store it. For example, if you plan ot store the playhouse outdoors you may have a place in the shade where you want to put it. Bigger houses are great for fitting in lots of children and parents could possibly get inside as well. Having room for more than one child is advantageous. 

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Step2 Neat & Tidy Cottage

This outdoor playhouse is perfect for toddlers. Firstly its open design allows mom and dad to watch children while at play.

It features a molded-in kitchen table, faucet, burner and two seats

There's an electronic phone, working doorbell and pass-through mailbox, all features that toddlers will love.

The recommended age is between 18 months and 8 years.

Little Tikes Picnic on the Patio Playhouse

This playhouse has a kitchenette with pretend burners, oven, cupboards, and fireplace, as well as a working door, mail slot, and picture windows.

It includes play food, tableware, and pretend phone. Pass meals from the kitchen to guests at the patio table. Lots of options for imaginative play.

Electronic doorbell makes 6 fun sounds.

Lots of opportunities for imaginative play in this playhouse for toddlers. Suitable for toddlers from 18 months to 4 years.

Naturally Playful Welcome Home Playhouse

Wow! This looks fun! Not only is it a playhouse but it has a 4 ft slide, activity wall, loop ball target and ring ball toss incorporated too. 

This playhouse also features two fun entrances which include a Dutch door and crawl through portal. There's a snack table which features a built-in countertop and two seats. The playhouse / activity cener also comes with two balls, two red and two blue rings

There's enough room inside for parents to sit down and play with children. It's recommended for children between 18 months and 4 years.

Play Tents

A good alternative to a playhouse is a play tent. These can be put up inside or outside and give children a space for lots of imaginative play, quiet naptime, reading books or a shelter from the sun. 

Obviously the main advantages of play tents is that they are much cheaper. They can be moved inside or outside easily too.