Children love adventure and the outdoors. How about encouraging your youngsters to spend more time in the fresh air with their imaginations by building them a playhouse?
I’ve just finished building my fourth playhouse because my children now insist on one wherever we move! However, I really enjoy building them.
My key tips on how to build a playhouse are:
Location. If you have a sturdy tree that looks like it could make a great treehouse, think about incorporating the tree into the design. It needn’t be accessed via a ladder, but could be useful if you decide to incorporate an additional floor level above the ground. Plus, children love them!
Size. Children grow! To ensure they get the most out of their playhouse, make the ceilings between five and six feet high. That’s short enough to make the playhouse seem small, but also tall enough to ensure it is used when the kids are older. If you’re incorporating a mezzanine, the overall height should be a little taller to ensure the upper level doesn’t require crawling.
Flexibility. Connected to the playhouse’s size is the theme of the playhouse. Old Mother Hubbard’s shoe-shaped playhouse may look great now, but it may fall out of popularity as your kids get older. Go for a design which is more timeless. A miniature replica of the main house is always popular, and will also look good in your yard.
Home Comforts. Depending on your climate, you may want to think about incorporating some insulation. This is very easily achieved and not very expensive. It will also ensure the playhouse is used throughout the year. A portable heater is also a good idea. In my latest creation, I included a power supply, but this will depend on how far the playhouse is from your house and how old your children are. If you want the playhouse powered, perhaps consider buying a small generator.
Materials. As the playhouse will be used by children, ensure that all of your materials are non-toxic. Children eat anything, so make sure they don’t have the opportunity to eat something harmful. Use non-toxic paint, and safety-glass or plastic for the windows.
Porch. I’d really recommend that you include a covered porch at the front of the playhouse to store muddy shoes.
Involve Your Children. Ask what they want their playhouse to look like and contain. Try to involve them in the process; they may be content with a much simpler design!
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