With Christmas right around the corner, getting the perfect gift for the younger members of your family can seem like a challenge, but here at Waltons we’ve got that problem sorted. A Waltons Playhouse is a great gift and with the right care and treatment can last for many years to come. With a large range to choose from the question isn’t whether or not your child will like a playhouse, the real question is which playhouse will they like the most!
Why a Playhouse?
Playhouses are such a special gift for any child as they’ll be a staple of their playtime for many many years. A sanctuary out of the house to hide and play, come rain or shine, to bring friends or stuffed animals, countless memories all in their private imagination haven. Certain playhouses even come with an activity centre, including a slide and swing, just like the Poppy Tower Wooden Playhouse with Activity Centre or another entertaining addition is in the Snowdrop which has not one but two floors for even more toys and room to play. In the end a playhouse gives a child their own space to explore their imagination, yet still safely under your supervision but just far enough that you can catch a few moments of peace and quiet.
A Safe place to Play
Waltons playhouses come with a number of safety precautions:
- safety hinges
- smoothed and planed timbers to prevent splinters
- shatterproof styrene windows
- non-slip ladders
- 12mm gap around doors to prevent trapped fingers
When it comes to your child's playhouse, safety is non-negotiable. Our playhouses include essential features such as safety hinges on doors and a 12mm gap around them to prevent trapped fingers. Smooth, planed timbers help avoid splinters, while shatterproof styrene windows ensure durability without the risk of glass breakage. For our elevated designs, non-slip ladders are a must to prevent accidents during play. Finally, our playhouses meet the EN71 Safety Testing Standards, guaranteeing it adheres to strict European safety regulations. With these features in place, you can create a fun and secure space for your kids to enjoy.
Will a Playhouse work in my garden?
Any garden is suitable for a playhouse provided you have the space to create a level base. Once you’ve decided where to put it, you can work out what size to order. Go for the largest size your space and budget will allow so that children (young and old) can enjoy it for as long as possible!
Once you’ve found a good spot, remember that you’ll need enough room to move around easily during the initial assembly. It’s also essential to leave space around the playhouse for future maintenance.
It’s very unlikely that you’ll require planning permission, but give your local planning office a call if you’re not sure.
What to do with a Playhouse?
Once your playhouse is up, deciding how to decorate and furnish it is lots of fun. Help your children create a ‘mood board’ to start mapping their ideas. Do it on paper, or even create a Pinterest board - it’s up to you.
Smaller children may not be able to help with construction or painting, but it’s important that they get to have a say in the finished design. After all, it’s going to be their special place, and they’ll love the feeling of ownership that comes from making decisions. (If you find yourself constantly tempted to take over, perhaps you should get yourself a summer house or log cabin!)
Here are some of our favourite ideas:
- Paint the outside: We recommend keeping it simple or to choose a theme. Seaside stripes are very popular. Give your children a say in how it's painted; it's their space, after all!
- Decorate the interior: Interior walls are a blank canvas to paint and decorate as you wish. Make it as welcoming as you can. Hang pictures, chalk boards and curtains.
- Make it comfortable: Add rugs and beanbags and provide storage to keep it tidy. A doormat is a good idea to keep (some of the) mud outside.
- Light it up: Invest in a few battery operated or solar lights for a warm and cosy glow.
- Encourage change: Reinvent the space as often as possible to keep it interesting and age-appropriate.
Do I need to maintain my playhouse?
Our wooden playhouses are made from high quality timber but should be treated annually with specialist wood treatment or paint to protect against weather damage. A little TLC every year will keep yours looking great and help prolong its life.
The Features that Add to the Fun
We’ve already mentioned the safety features and the playhouses with an activity set or two stories but there are also certain features that are universal across all Waltons playhouses. Every playhouse allows for natural light to flood in with numerous windows for playhouses with the Swiss Cottage featuring five windows, all shatterproof of course. During the winter months keeping the playhouse secure from harsh weather conditions is important so we use high quality roofing felt but if you want some added protection consider upgrading to EPDM, check out this helpful blog.
A few of our recommendations
We thought we’d leave you with some of our favourite playhouse designs to make your decision a little bit easier. The Snug Tower Playhouse inspires a child's imagination just by the fact it’s been raised off the ground, raised like a princess's tower or the giant's castle atop the beanstalk. Another great playhouse, The Poppy Tower with Slide, not just a tower… but a slide too, what more could a child wish for on Christmas Day! Small enough not to consume your entire garden but big enough to avoid a growth spurt that ruins any chances of your child not fitting into the playhouse. Or if you want to pull out all the stops consider having a tower, slide and swing! With the Snug Playhouse with Tower & Activity Set. Either option will have your child grinning from ear to ear and spending, not just the Christmas season, but many years to come enjoying their new gift.
