How to Buy a Playhouse Kit

If your child likes to play house, you can buy kits to construct their dream home. Kits come in preformed plastic, pre-cut lumber with accessories and blueprints, so they can feel like architects when it comes time to construct their houses.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ask your child for help in picking the perfect playhouse. There are so many options to choose from, so start by narrowing the choices to no more than five to consider. Have them make a list of things they would like in their playhouse.

2. Decide between buying a plastic, put-together house and playcenter, a lumber kit or just the blue prints and build it yourself.

3. Consider how much space is available for the playhouse, the number of children, and figure out the amount of room the children need to play in it.

4. Make a budget to calculate what you're able to afford. The playhouse requires paint, shutters, doors, windows and furnishings.

5. Pick a playhouse kit with easy instructions, or plan to get help. A playhouse isn't exactly a toy and essentially is a small version of a home built from top to bottom.

6. Compare prices from large retail stores, online stores and catalogs. There's a wide range of costs associated with purchasing a playhouse kit. Use the list created to narrow down the choices and pick the best kit for the family.

7. Buy the playhouse kit, and make sure you have all the screws, nails, bolts, tools and other accessories necessary before begining to assemble it.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can put the playhouse at the edge of the lawn or near the back of the yard, when your children get older they'll have an area to go to when they want some alone time.
• Remember children grow, and as they grow styles, wants and needs change. The playhouse will need to grow with them.
• Get your kids involved in the construction process. They'll appreciate the playhouse more.
• Don't be surprised if you end up buying replacement parts for missing or broken pieces during the construction process.
• Make sure the playhouse is safe. Railings need to be constructed properly, ladders secure and any rough or sharp edges smoothed.
• Never leave small children unattended in the playhouse.

Resources

• Find a wide range of playhouse kits and Playhouse Street.
• Playhouse Kits offers many full kits and playhouse accessories.