Good playhouse option?

[athompson]

So I've been going back and forth as far as what we should get for our girls to play with in the backyard. What do you think about this option? It's called a climbing cabin. I like that it is so open-ended. What do you think a fair price would be for someone to build, install and deliver? I was given a price quote, but want to find out what the real experts think I'd love it if I were handy enough to build this, but that is just not the case unfortunately. Just for background, my girls are four (almost 5), two and four months. We have two parks within 1/2 mile of us (and a very nice double jogger) so swinging, sliding etc. will happen at the park.

[athompson]

Bumping, anyone willing to take a look at the photo and chime in thoughts

[fivi2]

can they actually climb on it?

Honestly, I am not sure whether my girls would like it or not (just over 3 yo). It might be a little too abstract for my girls. (Of course, your kiddos may be different!) It is really cute and a neat idea, I am just not sure if my girls would dig it. But, if they could really climb on it, my girls would love it!

Have you seen this idea in Family Fun?
http://familyfun.go.com/decorating-i...proj_playhous/

not for climbing, just a cute DIY house.

I have no idea what a good price would be!

(sorry, I am not much help)

[athompson]

Yes, they can definitely climb on it. I'll attach another photo, but it gives the price away!
The Family Fun idea looks great. Thanks for sharing!

[fivi2]

okay - I like those pics better. The climbing would be a huge plus for my kids. It is really cute and I like the little fenced in area. They could corral their Rody Pony there

Sorry - I really don't know what to tell you! It is definitely cute. If it is what you like best, go for it. (I should add that my girls don't really seem all that into playhouses in general, so I am not the best person to ask!)

[LBW]

I like it a lot, and I vaguely remember playing on something similar when I was little.

[WatchingThemGrow]

It does *look* cute and maybe it would encourage more creative play. The playhouse we have is the most polar opposite thing on the planet, so I'm probably not a good one to ask either. Here's the plastic crap we have - and our kids love - http://www.littletikes.com/toys/6-in...08&gtkw=604317

[happymomma]

I like it but I feel like the kids might grow out of it soon. I like something where you can have more shelter and have them play inside. We have one where the kids can hang out when they get older. But it was here when we bought the house so I'm not sure if I would pay to get this build. But the kids love it and I think it will grow with them as they get older. Plus when it gets really hot, they can hang out in the house for a bit. Could you get one built that is a bit bigger so that more kids can easily fit in there. The kids might all fight to get inside the house.

[TwinFoxes]

I hope this doesn't sound rude, but I like all of the other playhouses posted here better than the OP's. To me (and this is only my opinion as a city-girl) it looks way too rustic. If I were playing cowgirl - or Mary Todd Lincoln -I would like it. But playing house or school, or castle or whatever, I'd rather have had something less log-cabin like. And I was a total tomboy when I was a kid, so it's not like I was into girlie stuff. It's not ugly or bad, I would just prefer something more colorful and finished.

ETA: Hey! I just noticed you're from the Land of Lincoln! I assume log cabins probably are seen in a different light in Illinois than in Cali where I grew up...