Backyard Playhouses

Playhouses are some of the best places around for imaginative and creative play. And there are benefits for Mom and Dad, too -- if done well, a playhouse can enhance the beauty of your property as well as increase it's value.

Types of playhouses

Simpler playhouses for young children come in nylon and strong plastic. These houese are easy to clean and move and are for the most part hazard-free, but have a rather simplistic look. For for older imaginations, playhouses are usually built from wood, brick, and stone as a real house would be and can range in style from a simple four-walls-and-a-door arrangement to a finely detailed miniture replica of the family house. Some designs are built up on stilts, for a tree house effect.

Location

One of the most important considerations in setting up your child's playhouse is the location. An easily accessible place where the kids feel safe and enjoy spending time is an ideal location. If there won't be electricity, choose a spot that receives lots of sunlight. Although playhouses are typically small, as with any garden structure, check with local authorites as to whether you'll need a building permit. Also think about the pros and cons of your chosen site in all four seasons. The surrounding foliage can change dramatically from one season to the next. Depending on your child’s age, you may want to build the playhouse in a spot that’s within sight and hearing range of the main house. If your property is large and the playhouse will be far from the house, consider an intercom or security system for communication in an emergency. In regard to landscaping, a playhouse can be highlighted and used as the focal point of the garden, or made into a secret hideaway camoflauged by the surrounding landscape.

Size

Ideally a playhouse will accommodate adults (even if quarters are a little cramped), so you can supervise the children and play along with them inside. The playhouse should be big enough to really play in, but not so big that your children feel lost. The whole appeal of a playhouse is that it's made to the child's scale. Before putting down money to buy or build a playhouse, check if the size your planning on will fit on your property by placing four stakes in the ground and outlining the four sides with a string or garden hose.

Let your children be part of the decision-making process in choosing the style. After all, they're the ones who will be using it. Upon taking a vote, make your final decision based the features you consider important (safety, style, price, etc.). Even if the it doesn't match perfectly, a little landscaping will help the playhouse blend in with the surroundings.

Choosing quality

For the children’s safety quality is particularly important in a playhouse. There should be minimal sharp corners, windows should be Plexiglas rather than real glass, and pressure-treated wood, which often contains arsenic, should be avoided. Walls and floors should feel secure enough to really use, especially if the kids are prone to rough-housing.

Contruction material
Wood, often red cedar, is one of the best materials, but Canexel maintenance- free wood fiber siding, which comes in many colors, is also sturdy and safe. If you choose wood, be sure splinter hazards are minimized -- all exposed wood areas are well sanded, nail and screw holes are filled. For a safe alternative to wood, try a drywall finish, which will provide a smoother surface than wood.

Paint and finishes
Many common building materials have certain toxic contents, such as arsenic in treated wood or formaldehyde fumes from plywood, particleboard, and chipboard. Safer materials such wood treated with Alkaline Copper Quanternany (ACQ) (rather than arsenic) and nontoxic and noncaustic paint may cost a little more, but will protect your kids' health. Also, keep in mind any allergies (to wicker or ceder, for example) or special needs your children might have.

Safety

Windows
Make sure the windows are Plexiglas, or if your budget allows, safety glass, which is stronger, less prone to scratches, and more durable.

Hardware
Hardware and other small frequently-used parts should be carefully selected. Give special consideration to window latches, drawer tracks, door knobs, shelving, hooks, drop-down counters or tables, and seats. Make sure metal edges aren’t too sharp and hinges and latches operate smoothly. Metal parts should be stainless steel to avoide rust problems.

Electrical
In playhouses with electricity, wiring must be up to code just as with a life-size house. Consider the placement of electrical outlets: they should be easily accessible to older children, but out of little ones' reach. If very young children are using the playhouse, place safety covers over the outlets. Avoid using lamps that are within easy reach of toddlers. Instead, look for pre-installed recessed lighting, which provides even light and keeps the bulbs out of small children's reach.

Lofts and balconies
Make sure all lofts, ladders, and stairs have safety railing and are sturdy and well constructed. If a ladder is used for loft access, opt for a removable one with hooks that anchor it in place. This way, if need be, you can store the ladder until the children are old enough to climb it safely.

Ventilation
Air ciculation is particularly important in a small area. Look for working windows to ensure adequate ventillation. If you're concern about insects like mosquitos and wasps, screens can be installed.

Playhouse landscaping

How the area around the playhouse is landscaped depends on how much space you want to allow it. Near the play house is the ideal spot for mini-garden for the kids. If the soil is less than ideal, build a raised bed filled with better soil. This also helps keep the garden bed organized. Child-sized garden furniture -- a set of tables and chairs, a hammock -- will also help the kids feel at home in the playhouse and give them a place to entertain friends. Children can also make their own decor -- windchimes, hanging baskets, and painted terra cotta pots are easy, inexpensive possibilities. A pathway make of poured-concrete steps that the kids designed themselves is another option that's relatively easy on assisting adults. [See BLI's A Child's Garden] for more on creating a beginner-sized garden plot that will hold the kids' interest all season long.]