Playhouse Plans for Children

Playhouse is a place for children to develop qualities like independence and creativity, which will give flight to their imagination and will also be fun. Here, they can live in their own magical world and fantasies and have an illusionary world of "home", "family" and "friends". Sometimes they can be kings and queens and other times they can be brave knights and ladies. Kids can also pretend to cook in their tiny utensils in this house. Playhouse is a perfect abode for children to have an all-together different, imaginary life that they dream about.

As playhouses are like doll houses, it is a general misconception that they are meant only for girls. Contrary to this belief, we find a variety of playhouses in the market which are meant for boys as well. These include playhouses that come in shapes of spacecrafts, caves, tents, tree playhouses, etc.

Playhouses can be wooden, plastic or even made out of canvas. Before buying a playhouse, parents should take into consideration their child's age. Playhouses should be selected such that they last long and children do not outgrow them soon. Even after children grow old, playhouses can be used as storage sheds. The effects of the changes in weather should also be considered while building a playhouse. You should also be mindful that the material used is not harmful for your children. Let your child take the final decision on buying the playhouse. This way, he/she will feel attached to it and have a sense of belongingness towards it. Here are a few designs of playhouses.

• Indoor playhouses-These are smaller in size as compared to the outdoor ones, as they have to fit into a single room. They can even be made out of cloth. These houses also contain beds and dressers or desks. They may be modeled like spacecrafts, princess' cottages, or playhouses based on Disney themes. The princess-themed playhouses are adored by most little girls.
• Outdoor playhouses-These are life-sized. They have to be long lasting, weather-resistant and sturdy. These houses may contain slides, swings and also a picnic table. There may even be shades provided for storage. A variety of designs are available viz. Victorian mansions , cottages and firehouses. Tent is a favorite amongst many children.
• Cardboard/Canvas playhouses-These can be easily built and also packed after use. Therefore, they do not occupy space at all. As they are made of canvas, they provide ample opportunity for kids to design and paint in their own creative way. Besides, these playhouses are eco-friendly and can also be recycled. The various shapes available are tent and den and they can be assembled at home.

These playhouses are available in a wide range of prices. Apart from these ready-made ones, you can create playhouses for your kids at home and that too at affordable prices.

Here are a few plans:
Big boxes of T.V. sets or refrigerators can be stuck together using a cello tape and made into a playhouse. They can be painted with bright colors and can also have designs and pictures painted on them. These are quite simple to make. Moreover, they are quite cheap!

There are also do-it-yourself kits available in the market. They contain plans and step-by-step instructions on how to build playhouses at home. All you need is lumber and some basic tools like hammer, drill, etc. Sometimes, a video of the procedure may also be available with the kit, which makes your job a lot easier. You can even involve your kids in doing this (if they are no longer toddlers) and they will only be too happy to help!

Another option can be that of buying an already used playhouse. Many parents tend to give away their kids' playhouses once they have outgrown it. People may also give away the playhouses on shifting their residence. Hence you get a ready-made playhouse and that too at a cheaper price.

Parents may help kids personalize their playhouses with attractive name plates, pictures, etc. A variety of outdoor furniture is available in the market. Bright colors should be used as they help in creating a lively atmosphere. The creativity of the kids should be given importance. There is more scope for creativity in case of canvas or home-made playhouses. You will be surprised to see how imaginative and talented your kids are!

One of the many advantages of having a playhouse is that kids have a safe and personalized place to play, which can relieve the parents of a lot of worries. Children can also spend their time well and enjoy in their playhouses during rains or snowfall. It also gives them a feeling of freedom and a sense of accomplishment. Children can be closer to nature and stay away from video games and television.

So, think over the ideas to get that perfect space for your kids that will be fun and also ensure their all-round growth.