Playhouses and Treehouses

Playhouses and treehouses can be plain or fancy.

New environments and a sense of independence often enhance children's imaginations. Playhouses and treehouses provide inspiration without the children leaving the area surrounding their homes. These structures can be simple or grandiose, as well as temporary or permanent.

Playhouse Types

A conventional playhouse has rooms and accessories similar to a real house. The playhouse can be a full-scale house, or consist of just one or two rooms. Highly crafted playhouses have electricity and running water. The playhouse is usually built near enough the family house to monitor the child's activities.

Treehouse Types

Treehouses are typically elevated, although they don't require construction in the branches of a tree. Because treehouses are high off the ground, they appeal to children seeking privacy and solitude. The new perspective of the world afforded by a treehouse often fascinates young minds.

Other Types of Playhouses

Less sophisticated playhouses are constructed using tents, large cardboard cartons, and combinations of tarps, blankets, and wood. As long as children have a place to go that affords them autonomy and privacy, they are generally not fussy about the elegance of the location.

References

• A Place Imagined: Playhouse Types