Wooden Outdoor Playhouses... Are they worth it???

[madelinesmom]

I have searched pretty hard in the archived threads and have found links on where to buy and what to buy but nothing about should you buy them. The price differences are really big. You can get a pretty nice Step 2 from anywhere from $200-$400 then it is a huge jump to wooden playhouses. Are they worth it? I am looking at the $900 to $1200 range. We live in Texas so we wouldn't be using it that much in the hot summer (late June - Mid Sept) but, we wouldn't be using the Step 2 in the summer either. Also the cheaper wooden ones have the biggest windows which would be better for our climate. I really think Madeline would love it, I can even see us putting plexiglass in the working windows so rain couldn't come in. DH can put it together, he built her Gorilla Swingset last year all by himself. I just really get soft hearted, I can see me cooking, watching Maddie and Emmy in their little playhouse, I get all teary eyed...
So what do you think. To Wooden Playhoue or Not to Wooden Playhouse?

Jane
Madeline and Emily's Mom
1/20/03 11/29/05

[Tondi G]

http://www.byoswingset.com/playhouses1.html

Have you seen these?

[madelinesmom]

I love those but I think I like these a little better...
http://betterplayhouses.com/pine/

They have more windows which I think will be better for our climate...

But I also had you link saved already. I just love them all...

Jane
Madeline and Emily's Mom
1/20/03 11/29/05

[Beth568]

I have to say that I think those are absolutely beautiful. And your girls are young enough to get quite a few years' use out of them. I remember that a friend of mine had a great wooden playhouse, and I LOVED it - we spent many, many hours in there.

I do think the experience is quite different from what you get in the plastic houses - not to mention that you're not buying another plastic monstrosity that will take 30,000 years to degrade in a landfill, or whatever (and we have a Little Tykes plastic playhouse, so I'm guilty of that).

If you can afford it, I say go for it. It's a wonderful way to make memories. :)

[deannanb]

How about a wooden swing set (if you don't have one) My DH bought a wooden set for DS1 when he was 5 - he is 11 now. The company he bought it from is out of business, but similar to Rainbow quality. It has a sandbox underneath the fort - a ladder, slide, and cover. I'm sure if it were "properly" treated every few years it would look GREAT. But overall it is is really good condition. We are actually thinking about adding swings and whatnot onto the fort. We currently have a metal set next to the wooden one.

DS2 loves the fort.... he loves to climb up and down the ladder.

We usually play early in the morning - or in the evening when it is "cooler"


We live in Dallas.... so I understand the weather issue.

[madelinesmom]

We got a wonderful Gorilla Swingset last year for Christmas/Birthday from the grandparents. We love it... We are the only ones in the neighborhood who have one so actually everyone loves it...


Jane
Madeline and Emily's Mom
1/20/03 11/29/05

[madelinesmom]

I keep looking and we are probably going to try and swing it... We may do a "from all the grandparents for X-Mas and B-Day... We may actually throw poor Emmy on the card and get a nicer one... Emmy won't care this year anyway...

Jane
Madeline and Emily's Mom
1/20/03 11/29/05

[vikivoly]

I don't think they are worth it. I really wanted to get one for my girls and even looked into the possibility of having my Dad build one to save on cost. We have a Rainbow Playset and they play in the house part of that so much more than they do their Step 2 house. I'm glad we saved our money.

[kaitlinsmommy]

How much are these playhouses? They are really cute!

[madelinesmom]

This is the main page:
http://betterplayhouses.com/
When you click on each of the four groups it takes you to their own page and then click on each individual house and it gives prices. Don't forget to add shipping and also some add floor kits and also porch kits. I am just in love with them and the more I look the more I will probably get one...
Enjoy shopping...

Jane
Madeline and Emily's Mom
1/20/03 11/29/05

[BaileyBea]

Growing up I had a wooden play house and all the fun furniture to go with it. It was great! I have so many fond memories of the play house. I definetly plan on buying one or building one for DC's. I think in another year or so.

Right now price of wood is super high due to Katrina and the lack of wood to supply New Orleans rebuilding. So you may find some costs are higher than usual.

I personally think you should go for it. I live in Texas too but figured out a solution. I am going to buy and install large sails to hang over the house to provide some shade so the kiddos can play outside in it during the summer. Well see how that works out.

Nancy

[madelinesmom]

That is a great idea, I actually thought of getting a small window unit. I know that is really sad, but I may try the sail ideas first...

Jane
Madeline and Emily's Mom
1/20/03 11/29/05

[emmasmama]

Jane, what did you end up deciding? I have been obsessively researching playhouses and I really like the ones you mentioned from betterplayhouses.com the best. I'm wondering if you you ended up ordering from them and what you think?

I'm almost positive they have this brand at Samsclub.com if you are a member and haven't yet purchased something. The price difference isn't as huge on the smaller model, but on the loft model it's quite substantial. I really like the Pixie (Sam's Club) which seems to be the exact same as the Dreamsicle (Better Playhouses), but for $165 less. I'm not sure how sales tax would figure into all of this since it would depend where you live.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=149462

Laurie

edited to add: Just realized that this model from Sam's has two windows and is 6x4 which must mean that it is the "Home Sweet Home" playhouse, so the savings is actually more like $365 - pretty big chunk -- hope that helps!

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/36096.jpg

[emmasmama]

Also, I was going to add that if you couldn't swing a wood playhouse, but were interested in something more quaint and less plasticky looking, I really like this one from Step2 (which is all I have a feeling my husband would ever agree to).

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4837468



http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/36097.jpg