Wooden Playhouse Blog

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If you have a wooden playhouse kit, lots of people and about 10 days, you can put together a playhouse fairly easily.

Actually, if you’ve thought of building a playhouse, then this video will give you an idea of how one family put together and documented the construction of a playhouse.  The playhouse was built in one place and then moved to be on top of another structure on the property.

Here’s the video….

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Turning a wooden playhouse into a theatrical playhouse and stage for a gaggle of puppets is easy and super fun! Children will love the idea of their kids playhouse taking on the role of puppet land, and the friends won’t be able to get enough of it either.

Puppetry has an amazing way of reaching children, regardless of their sentiment or feelings. There is something magical about a puppet, whether it’s a sock puppet dog, a bag that is made to look like a crocodile, or a fan-like paper stick puppet appearing to speak to them. It’s almost as if their imaginations are instantly put into overdrive and a whole new world is unfolded before their eyes. It’s a wonder to see their reactions.

To help your child convert your family’s wooden playhouse into a puppet stage, follow these simple tips:

1. Use the window of the wooden playhouse as the stage. Already, the window probably has a curtain or shutters of sorts which will allow for the “actors” to enter and exit the “stage”. Using the window can expedite time too because you won’t have to spend gobs of time trying to build an alternate stage. Another benefit of using the window is that the voices behind the puppets can hide below the window ledge.

2. You can have your child and their friends write play or just wing it. Either way, children will almost always have something wacky or funny to say. Imagine the crazy exchanges that they will come up with when they are actually TRYING to entertain an audience. The performance should be classic!

3. Let the puppeteers select their own puppets or make them if they want. Who says the puppets have to be Muppet quality? A sock, some markers, and a few odds and ends that you have around the house is more than enough to get them started. They could even construct puppets from regular paper and use popsicle sticks to move them across the stage.

Using a wooden playhouse as a puppet stage is very easy and can be a huge part of a very cool afternoon for kids. If you don’t have a lot of time for prep work, keep things simple. No matter what they see up there, little ones will love the show and are likely to ask for an encore!

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Before you purchase a wooden playhouse for your children, you should seriously consider one very important design aspect…whether or not you want the playhouse to have a porch. For some playhouse owners, this will be an open and shut case if the playhouse’s design is based on their current residence. But, believe it or not, a porch can be about more than design. Here’s how:

A wooden playhouse porch can serve as a gathering place for children. Prior to entering the playhouse, kids may want to take time and meet on the porch for really quick talks. If your neighborhood is full of children that visit from yard to yard, then, your child may not actually want everybody to be able to come directly into their wooden playhouse, which is their own private space. So, having a porch allows for them to socialize on their own terms.

There are many funky things that you can do on a wooden playhouse porch such as putting rocking chairs or a hanging swing. Children will be able to rock and swing their days away while being near some of their most precious and special things, which they may house in their playhouse. Imagine how cool it will be for a little girl to get her favorite doll and rock her in the rocking chair on her own porch. That would be absolutely sensational.

The porch of a wooden playhouse can also be a major welcoming space with loads of flowers, whether real or artificial, that makes the playhouse itself seem more inviting. Your child may want to start a container garden on his or her porch. The sky is the limit, but the more foliage, the more beautiful the entry could be for your child and his or her friends.

Your family’s wooden playhouse may be greatly enhanced by having a porch, which could serve as an extension of the playhouse. If a porch would make the structure too large for your space or would cause it not to blend into your yard as well as another style, then leave it off. But if there is any opportunity for you to add a porch, then go for it, sit back and smile as your child rocks and sways in comfort.

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Decorating a kids wooden playhouse is an excellent excuse to take the kids garage sale hunting.  Not only will it allow your kids to find some cheap yet chic items to make their playhouse look absolutely perfect; but, it will also give you the opportunity to spend time with your children and to interact with them in a different way.

Through your shopping experience together you will learn a lot about each other, personal taste, and of course what makes each of you say, “Eww” when you see something that you don’t like. It will be a great time and here are some of the really great stuff that you should be on the lookout for:

1. Anything that is girly! Whether you are looking for lacy remnants to decorate pillows, fancy curtains, or accent rugs to make the playhouse look more feminine, chances are you will find tons of possibilities at a garage sale. If you or your little one should identify some pieces that would fit into the décor of her wooden playhouse, buy it then because you may not see another for such a good price. If she spies a crochet pillow that looks like it was made by someone’s aunt, let her get it even if you don’t particularly love it. It’s her playhouse.

There will never be a lack of doll stuff either. Just about any home that has a girl in it or an older female will have something doll related. From bags of Barbies to Strawberry Shortcake pocketbooks, there is sure to be something that your daughter will “need” to add to the collection that she stores in her wooden playhouse.

2. Cool retro furniture will abound.  If your son or daughter loves the retro look or just can’t get enough of a certain era such as the 80s or 90s, then, checking out local garage sales will be a sure bet. Even if they don’t want “old” looking furniture, you can get the pieces and cover them with hip and updated fabrics or slipcovers. From sturdy wood tables that will stand the test of time to light fixtures and chairs, your child may be able to furnish his or her whole wooden playhouse with these repurposed treasures.

3. Building a book collection couldn’t be easier with garage sale books. Most people will sell their children’s books for as little as a dime. Some may even have a “freebie” box full of books. These books are fantastic for encouraging your child to be an avid reader without spending massive amounts of money on retail priced volumes.

4. They will never be able to find room for all of the toys that they will come across when shopping at garage sales. Their wooden playhouse would have to be palace to cull them all! But, for a parent that would like to provide a few choice pieces of toys that will make their playhouse even more fun, then garage sales are breeding grounds for these things. No matter if your son is in to action figures or your daughter is in to stuffed animals. They will find gobs at local garage sales.

Sprucing up a wooden playhouse is easy and very cheap if your family seeks out garage sale finds. Just let your children pick through and choose items that they really like and everyone will get what they want from your shopping adventure. Take care to clean everything before use and then let your kids enjoy!

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Kids need exercise. A kids wooden playhouse is a perfect place for making that happen. Fitness is an extremely important part of life. For a child, it is essential for their psychological and physical development. Children need to exercise daily to grow up big and strong. As parents, we have a responsibility to provide space and ways for children to be able to get their exercise in. Here are a few strategies for helping your children get the workout that they need in a fun and simply way:

1. Encourage the children to run around the outside of the kids outdoor playhouse with a rousing game of chase or tag! From one corner to the next, children will absolutely love the repetitive action of a good game of chase.  As they run and run, switching off who will be “It”, they will be getting a healthy dose of cardiovascular activity in the process.

2. Creating a garden outside of the kids outdoor playhouse could definitely be a wonderful source of exercise for children. Digging, pulling weeds, raking, and moving dirt are all great ways to get moving. Being out of doors also provides a magnificent way to ensure that they are getting lots of fresh air into those growing lungs.

3. Learn yoga together and practice it in the kids wooden playhouse. Pose by pose, the children that use the playhouse will stretch their way to a healthier life. Yoga is very easy for kids to pick up and will, in time, help them to develop greater flexibility and they will learn to focus and concentrate in a more effective way. Inside of the kids outdoor playhouse, there is often plenty of space for doing all types of yoga moves. So, why not make the most of this peaceful, outdoor environment.

With a kids wooden playhouse, fitness is snap. Running, jumping, digging, and stretching are a large part of what makes life fun for a kid. Doing these great activities and more in and around a kids outdoor playhouse will provide them with the tools that they need to learn to value exercise and good health. That is something that they can hold on to for the rest of their lives.

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How many times in a summer do you hear your kids say, “I’m bored?”.  To solve the boredom problem, get a wooden playhouse so that your kids can have a more exciting and fun-filled summer.  The best thing about a kids playhouse is that you can make it a family activity by involving your spouse and kids in choosing the playhouse location, size, style, decor and even the color.

Let’s start with choosing the location of the playhouse.  Your property lot size and space availability will generally determine where the playhouse will go on your property.  If you have a lot of space, then choose a place close to your house to keep an eye on the kids, in a shady location to keep the children’s playhouse cool in the summer months, on a flat piece of soil for easier leveling of the foundation, and close to electrical source if you plan to have electricity to the playhouse.
Once the location is finalized, you need to determine the size of the outdoor kids playhouse.  Playhouses come in many different sizes but typically they are between 6 ft – 12 ft in length and width.  The height of the kids play house is generally 10 ft – 12 ft but will depend upon if you plan on having a loft on the second level.

Take height measurements of your children.  According to the growth charts put out by the Center for Disease Control, the average (50 percentile) height of both males and females for a 5 year old is about 43 inches, 50 inches tall for an 8 year old, and almost 60 inches for a 12 year old.  Take into consideration whether you want the playhouse to be used only when your children are pre-Kindergarten or if the playhouse will be used beyond elementary school.  Deciding this in advance will help you choose the size of the playhouse.

One you’ve decided upon the size of the playhouse, get some rope and stakes and begin to lay out where the playhouse will be.  You probably have one or two little helpers who would love to help you with this activity.

The fun part is next because you can choose many different styles of playhouses.  There are many different styles of a wooden playhouse, from traditional cottages or Victorian houses to log cabins or pirate playhouses.  What tickles the fancy of your children and would look great in our backyard for at least several years?

Lastly, begin to think about the decor or accessories that can be added to your playhouse that could enhance the style.  Whether the wooden playhouse is built from scratch or purchased, your family can have a great time by looking for accessories at garage sales, discount stores, hardware stores or on-line, that can complement the playhouse theme.

The next time your child says they are bored, you can put them to work on a wooden playhouse project that will ultimately keep them interested many years into the future!

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Here’s a luxury playhouse that goes far and beyond the average wooden playhouse – it’s amazing.  It’s a playhouse any child would be thrilled to have as their own play space.  The playhouse was constructed by Judy and Tom of Cutest Little Things Blog by creatively keeping within their budget using free scrap wood, searching Craig’s list and ebay for deals, and surplus materials from discount home builders.

The unique features of this children’s playhouse are a garage/workstation, a loft area, an upper deck, dormers and entrance porch.  The finished exterior details like flower boxes, lanterns, and a frog door knocker are incredible.  Your kids certainly wouldn’t be bored in this outdoor playhouse!

Here is a picture of the interior playhouse.  Look at the loft and door going to the upper deck.  There’s also a palladium window (not in this post) that you have to check out.

The wooden playhouse has a garage that actually is like another play room.  Check out the workbench.

I always find it interesting to see other wooden playhouses that parents have for their children. Whether small or large, luxurious or rustic, a playhouse provides hours of joy for your child.

Technorati Tags: Kids outdoor play, luxury, Wooden playhouse

Want to “wow” your kids by giving your children’s wooden playhouse a new paint job?  You can be their hero by sprucing up the appearance of the playhouse while at the same time keep it looking exceptional for years to come.

Follow these painting tips and you’ll be on your way to impressing your kids as well as learning how to expertly paint your wooden playhouse so it will last for years:

1.  Prepare your playhouse for painting ahead of time.  Gently scrap any loose, dried or flaking old paint from the playhouse using a putty knife or sander.  Take care to not damage the wood underneath.

2.  Seal cracks around windows or doors with caulk. This keeps the moisture outside of the playhouse.

3.  Use a high quality primer to paint the wooden playhouse surfaces.  This helps to increase the adhesion of the paint to wooden surfaces.  It also aids in increasing the waterproof qualities of the exposed wooden surfaces.

4.  Purchase an exterior grade paint because it is formulated to withstand the weathering that a wooden playhouse will experience in its lifetime.  Interior grade paint will not stand up against rain and snow and if used in place of exterior grade paint, then in a few months after painting, the paint will begin to flake and come loose.

5.  Paint over old paint using the same type of paint the was used previously.  If an oil based paint was used last, then use an oil paint this time to paint the playhouse.  Use a water-based paint if you don’t now what type of paint was used previously.  Water-based paint is easier to apply, fast-drying, it helps prevent moisture problems, and the clean up is easier.

6.  Start painting from the top down.  Start with the fascia board and gables first.  Then move to painting the sides of the playhouse, followed by the windows and trim.  The playhouse door is the last thing to be painted.

7.  Plan to paint around the weather by painting in the shade.  Work your painting around the shade.  Paint the west and south sides of the playhouse in the morning and in the afternoon, paint the east and north sides.

Once you’ve used these tips, you’ll not only be painting like a professional but you’ll be the hit with you kids.  Your kids will be thrilled with their newly painted wooden playhouse that will last for many years to come.Be

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It’s the special touches that make your child’s wooden playhouse stand out from the crowd.  All kids like to feel special.  When their outdoor play house is outfitted in unique accessories, there’s no stopping how excited your child will feel knowing they have the coolest playhouse in the neighborhood.

Here’s a list of 15 awesome wooden playhouse accessories your kid will absolutely love:

1. Bell – Won’t you child love to have a bell to ring to call their friends in for a visit to their playhouse?  What kids doesn’t love to ring a bell?
2. Door bell – Kids love door bells and just like Mom and Dad’s house, they’d like to have a doorbell for their own playhouse.
3. Door knocker – A door knocker, especially one that has their name on it, is a fun accessory for when neighborhood kids come visiting the playhouse. This feature is a nice alternative if a door bell isn’t a real possibility.
4. Telescope – Kids are intrigued by the stars and night sky.  A telescope encourages this interest in astronomy.  Just mount a telescope to a porch rail and the playhouse is easily propelled into a universal space station.
5. Flower boxes – In the spring and summer, flowers boxes filled with overflowing colors brighten up the entrance of a wooden playhouse.   Flower boxes come in all sizes and can makes their playhouse look and feel more inviting.
6. Mail box – Who doesn’t love getting mail?  Kids have fun playing post office and sending post cards and packages to their friends so don’t forget to add this essential accessory to the playhouse.
7. Address plaque or marker – Of course, if you have a mail box, you need to have an address marker!
8. Curtains – Curtains help to personalize a playhouse and make it more appealing and tailored to your child.
9. Tiles for the floor – Self-adhesive tiles can help transform an unfinished, wooden floor into a more beautiful and nicer looking playhouse.  These tiles can be found in numerous colors and styles and the best thing is that they withstand the wear and tear of child’s play.
10. Cork board for art work – How much art work is generated by a growing child?  Lots!  Children need a place to display their numerous drawings, posters and pictures.  Give them the opportunity to display their art work with a cork bulletin board.
11. Shelves – Kids have a lot of toys, books and treasures they like to have readily available for play or show.  Shelves in a play house allows your child easy access to these items.
12. Toy box – Toy boxes in a playhouse can be used for multiple purposes.  Not only can a toy box be used to store toys, but it can be used as a make shift table or certainly for extra seating as a bench.
13. Weather vane – Not every house has a weather vane and that’s true for a child’s playhouse.  Weather vanes come in many shapes and styles and can set your child’s playhouse a part from other wooden playhouses in the neighborhood.
14. Flag pole – With so many different flags, banners and pennants available today, it’s a fairly inexpensive and fun way for your child to express their individuality.
15. Solar powered accent lights – When children are having fun with outdoor play, they don’t realize how quickly it can get dark out.  Lights that outline the playhouse at dusk and at night are a great safety feature to have for your kid’s playhouse.

Help set your child’s wooden playhouse apart from other neighborhood playhouses by adding special features or elements  Make your child feel special by helping them pick out accessories to personalize their play space.  The 15 awesome accessory tips will get you thinking about what elements your child will absolutely love for their very own playhouse.

Technorati Tags: Children's playhouse, Kids playhouses, Play house ideas, Wooden playhouse