Which Playhouse Is Better for Your Kids: Plastic or Wooden Playhouse?

Play is an exciting way for kids to create magical childhood memories. A child's world is full of wonder and excitement, and each brand-new discovery is treasured dearly by them. Playing and exploring outside is a common favorite childhood pastime, and it’s quite vital for healthy child development. We all remember those beautiful days running around and exploring in the backyard, fully embracing the freedom of childhood. Kids learn primarily through the act of play. As they engage in play, they learn new skills and ideals, and many areas of their development are further strengthened, including cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and fine and gross motor skills.

Outdoor play is particularly important for a child’s overall health as well, primarily physical and mental health. Through engaging in outdoor play, your kids can get in some quality physical activity, get some fresh air, and interact with others. Playing outside can be very relaxing and calming for kids, which may contribute to lower stress levels for them. It can also build a child’s creativity, develop their problem-solving reasoning patterns, and allow them to participate in risk-taking activities.

Outdoor play toys and structures help to enrich outdoor play for kids. There are many outdoor play structures and toys on the market these days. An exciting and useful element to add to your kids’ outdoor play is a wooden outdoor playhouse. Outdoor playhouses create an imaginative and interactive play experience for kids.

Your kids are guaranteed to have many enjoyable play experiences with an outdoor playhouse in your yard! Playhouses have many different exciting features you can choose from, and they mimic a real house, which makes a child’s imaginative play feel even more exciting and tangible for them. They have windows and doors, and some include stairs and a loft, which can be removed as your kids grow. Wooden playhouses make a better option for children's play areas over plastic ones as they are safer, more customizable, more environmentally friendly, and more durable than their plastic counterparts.

There are a few factors you might want to consider as you navigate the playhouse purchasing process, such as safety, size, materials, cost, and any fun additional features or visuals that would enhance your kids' play. There is quite a variety of playhouses on the market and, if you’re not finding exactly what you're looking for, custom playhouses may be built to meet your specific requirements. DIY playhouse kits are another great option that would work well for those who like to have a fun project to do themselves.

There is a longstanding debate of sorts when it comes to plastic versus wooden playhouses. Ultimately, families should choose whatever type they think works best for their family; however, there are many benefits to opting for a wooden playhouse over a plastic one. Read on to discover these considerations below.

Durability
Wooden playhouses are much more durable and tend to hold up very well over time compared to their plastic competitors. They’re much better suited for outdoor use as they are less likely to crack, break, or fade from excess sun. Plastic playhouses are typically more brittle in the sun and outdoor elements.

Wooden playhouses are able to withstand natural elements with ease due to their sturdiness and durability. They are a more permanent and long-term option. These wooden playhouses are essentially tiny homes for your kids’ outdoor play scenarios! They are easy to assemble using a special panel system that allows you to assemble the playhouse with just two people in under three hours. The panels are easy to lift due to being made of spruce which is a strong yet light wood. Even better, the screws come already installed. You can rest assured that a wooden playhouse can take the wear and tear that years of kids playing may bring. Due to their durability, they can hold multiple kids at a time during play.

Appearance and Style
Wooden playhouses often have a more true-to-life and rustic look, which can be more visually appealing than plastic playhouses. Parents who prefer a more traditional look may prefer them as they are often more attractive and have a natural appearance. They look like real houses, just on a smaller and less functional scale. These houses are meant for play, not full-time residing (obviously); although, you may find yourself wanting to move in because of how stunning they are! Wooden playhouses contribute to the value of your home and enhance the beauty of your yard, rather than distracting from it with loud colors and patterns as a plastic piece may.

Safety
You might be wondering about the safety of a wooden outdoor playhouse. In fact, the major concern of every parent in all scenarios tends to be, “Will this be safe for my child?” Wooden playhouses are actually a very safe option for kids, as they are much more stable and stronger than their plastic counterparts. The wooden structure is very durable, which makes them less likely to collapse, and become damaged or topple over in severe weather.

Another safety concern to consider are the materials of which the playhouse is composed. Wooden playhouses are typically constructed of more natural and non-toxic materials, whereas some plastic playhouses may contain unsafe chemicals and substances. Although not all plastic playhouses contain unsafe substances, some of them might, and they’re harmful to children. You can feel confident that your kids are protected from unsafe substances as they play by simply choosing to purchase a wooden playhouse for them instead of plastic.

An additional factor to think about is the fact that wooden playhouses are a more environmentally-friendly option than plastic playhouses. This is simply because they are biodegradable, meaning they will gradually break down over time. On the other hand, plastic products cannot break down in the same way that wood products can, which can cause damage to the environment over time as they sit in landfills.

In addition to this, the method of constructing wooden playhouses is overall a more environmentally-friendly process than it is for plastic playhouses, as it minimizes waste and emissions.

Personalizable  
Wooden playhouses allow much more space and freedom to be customized and personalized for each family. Plastic playhouses, however, usually only come in a fixed design with minimal capability for personalization. With a wooden playhouse, you can choose your own color scheme, any themes that promote imaginative play, exciting features that enhance play such as swings and slides, and more.

There are many customization options for your family’s playhouse. Purchasing a DIY playhouse kit is a great option for those who enjoy DIY projects but may want a little guidance as they build. A kit is also a money-saving option as you will contribute the labor yourself, but the finished result will be more personalized to your child’s interests and your family’s needs. Playhouse Natural Wonder is also a wonderful DIY option, as you can paint this playhouse yourself.

Selecting and purchasing the right outdoor playhouse for your kids and family may feel daunting at first. Outdoor playhouses are quite an investment; although, it’s an investment worth making because of the enrichment, safety, and developmental benefits they will provide your kids. Whether you desire a pre-designed one or a DIY option, there is a playhouse option for everyone. It’s important to know your playhouse preferences and be aware of any considerations as you navigate the decision-making process.

It’s important to consider your budget, as outdoor playhouses range in price. You will also want to consider the available space you have in your yard to comfortably fit a playhouse. Make sure to measure the space so you can determine what size playhouse to purchase for your backyard. You will also want to consider the ages and physical sizes of your kids to make sure that your new playhouse suits their needs.

Taking the interests of your kids into account is another crucial aspect of selecting the right playhouse for your family. Younger kids may favor simple playhouses with slides and swings, while older kids may prefer more complex playhouses that have multiple levels and play features. By following these steps, you can select an outdoor playhouse for your children that is both comfortable and safe.

Wooden playhouses provide kids with a designated area for outdoor exploration where they can fully embrace the magic and childhood wonder of outdoor play. They can participate in imaginative play, physical activity, problem-solving exercises, and much more, in a safe and exciting environment. Playing in a wooden outdoor playhouse can solidify a child’s independence and increase their self-confidence. Having an outdoor playhouse to take care of and clean up after can strengthen a child’s understanding of responsibility, and it can teach them what it means to have ownership over something significant.

The main idea to hold onto as you select the right playhouse for your family is to make sure to choose one that is highly safe, caters to the interests of your kids, and fits the available space in your yard well. A wooden playhouse can provide hours of fun and imaginative play for your children while also adding value to your home. You will have a blast together exploring your new backyard play addition with your kids now and in the many years to come. Happy exploring!

Written by WholeWoodPlayhouses