Outdoor play houses...

Another question on gifts...

DH and I are disagreeing on this. I say NOW is the perfect time to get one of those Little Tikes outdoor houses, cottage, etc. They are about $149.99. He disagrees and thinks they are too young for it(this would be for their birthday next month). He thinks it's something for NEXT year. I think we may miss the window of opportunity. I also think it's perfect because it's a toy for OUTSIDE. We have a play area he is working on with wood chips, the swingset, and the Kangaroo climber.

I asked a friend and she said 150% she would get it. Her son has it and loves it-and played in it all winter long. I can ask for it from the grandparents, or I can look online at Craigslist.

So-what do you seasoned parents think?

 

Good Question! We are actually thinking about getting one for Christmas. It looks like mine are just a few months older than yours. I think we are at a good age for them to like a playhouse and get some use out of it. I can't wait to see what others say!

 

It's on our list for Birthday/Christmas this year too, unless I find one on Craigslist before then. I have two local friends with twins about the same age and their kids all love their play houses. We are planning on putting ours indoors most of the time.

 

This year would be better... and definitely see if you can get one second-hand from CL. My girls already outgrew their interest in it, so we got them a big wooden playset.

 

Keep the yes's coming ladies! I need to show this to DH! :yahoo:

 

I have to agree with you on this! :good: We got it when the kids were 18 months old (christmas) and they have loved it and used it A LOT since day one.

 

OMG yes! Go for it! Get it now! Get it yesterday! :lol:

The park we go to is a dumping ground for everyone's secondhand baby/toddler toys. In the spring, somebody anonymously gifted an old playhouse. The minute my kids saw it, they went nuts. Made a beeline for it. They still like playing in it. Every time we go there, I see kids from 12 mo - 5 yrs having a great time with it.

 

Mine got their outdoor playhouse with swing extension when they were 16 months. That summer and the next (when they were 2) they played in the playhouse part a lot. This summer (age 3) they rarely play in the playhouse, but still love to swing. They'd rather go to the park and climb on things and use the bigger swings now. So try to find one used, mine didn't use it long enough to play for new!

Next spring we're going to try to sell ours and get a bigger wooden structure.

 

I would get it now!!!

We had a Kangaroo climber and playhouse when they were about 18 months old....they used them DAILY until this summer (at 3.5) and then wanted 'bigger' stuff---(playground, wooden play structure) and rarely played in the playhouse or climbed the climber. We sold both on Craigslist a few months ago and they dont miss them at all. We got 2 years good use out of them! When they were small, the shutters and doors were a big hit and then as they got older they used it as a 'house'.

**added** mine were really getting too tall this spring/summer too and that made it crowded (with both of them in there) and cramped when sitting or standing--it just wasnt as much fun for them.


KC

 

Nadia got one for her second birthday, and she STILL plays in it. Of course, it's in our basement, not outside, but it's the same concept...and now, Kevan & Karina love it, too. All three kids are often packed in there, with food and dishes and dolls and everything else under the sun.

We have a swing set outside that has a little fort area at the top, where I've put a table and a couple plastic chairs -- my little ones love climbing up there, too. In fact, I often have to drag them out kicking and screaming.

I think right around age 2 is the perfect time, and definitely not too early!

 

Without a doubt..this year! My boys got one for their 1st bday but they were not walking until around 14 months. They crawled and pulled up on it at first and when they could walk, they were all over it! They loved opening and closing the doors/windows. This year when spring came, they were about 2 years 9 months and played with it a very little. I think because they had so many other things to do in the yard.

 

GET IT!!!! :clapping: Definitely research craigslist. We got a $200 playhouse for $50!!

 

I have to agree with everyone - get the playhouse now! The key age seems to be 18 months to about 3, so if you wait a year, you'll have missed most of the months where your boys will be interested. My girls are not quite 2 and a half and they're already tiring of the playhouse concept. They much prefer jungle gyms and rock climbing walls and ignore the playhouse.

 

I got the big playhouse for my b/g twins when they were 18 months and they are 4 and still love it. We have it inside. It is the one that has 4 different themes. The front looks like an old school house one side has a gas pump (station), atm and one side is like a market and the back side has a basketball hoop and soccer net on it. They play all kinds of make believe with it. They love just sitting in it on their lil rocking chairs and looking at books. I am glad I bought it.

 

Definitely NOW!! We (the ILs) actually got one for the girls when they were about 18 months old. We keep it outside in the play area. They loved it then and still play in it now.

 

We got one about 2 months ago and they LOVE it. Now is the time, Meaghan!! We keep ours indoors because of the sweltering AZ heat but it will go out once it cools off.. if I can convince Jacob to come out of it for long enough to move it. He loves it SO much. Jack likes it, too.

 

I agree, NOW! We got one for my oldest DD when she turned 2 and she loved it. Honestly she would have loved it a earlier too. We still have it and now the twins play with it. Definitely worth the money. :good:

 

Thanks for all the great responses ladies! I've semi convinced DH about it. Although he keeps saying, "Let's just get them a truck or something." MEN! I've been checking CL every chance I get. I did fine one-for $25! However-it was snatched up pretty quickly...

I have less than a month left to convince him-and GET IT!