Plastic Playhouses vs Wooden Playhouses: Which is Better?
A playhouse is every child’s dream. To children, playhouses are magical, empty structures waiting to be filled with their imagination; from roaming zombies stomping through the kitchen to elegant princesses gliding down the stairs.
To parents, however, playhouses act as the perfect springboard for imaginative play, helping children to develop their cognitive skills without cluttering their homes.
With so many different types of playhouses out there, it can be difficult for parents to know which one to choose. In this blog, we will weigh up plastic vs wooden playhouses to help you decide which is the best for you and your child.
The importance of children’s playhouses
Before we delve into the differences between plastic and wooden playhouses, it is useful to know how having a playhouse can benefit your child.
Lots of parents make the mistake of thinking that a playhouse serves no other purpose than to entertain children, which is actually not the case.
Here are some reasons why a playhouse is so important to your child’s development:
Garden playhouses promote healthy outside play
In this digital age, trying to pry a phone or gadget out of your child’s hands to encourage them to go and play outside is nearly impossible. The lack of outdoor play is increasingly becoming a concern for many parents and it can be difficult to know what to do.
A playhouse is a great way to encourage children to leave their gadgets behind and step outside into the fresh air.
Fresh air can offer limitless benefits to children including improved mood, increased vitamin D and helping to keep weight at a normal level, which can give them a healthy start in life.
Not only this but being outside and amongst different kinds of smells and feels and sounds can naturally develop their senses.
Develops a sense of independence
When children are exploring outside by themselves, they can take risks and push the boundaries, which helps to develop a sense of independence. This can lead children to feel more confident in their decisions, which is crucial for developing emotional intelligence skills.
A children’s playhouse lets children be themselves because, for them, it basically acts as their own little home. A private little spot, away from the house and the rules, where they can do whatever they want in. This is the ideal way to help children to develop a sense of independence.
Strengthens cognitive skills
Playhouses encourage children to use their imagination, which strengthens cognitive skills and brain development in the long term.
Playhouses require children to exercise physically and to overcome challenges and obstacles, while also thinking of better ways of doing that.
How to choose between plastic and wooden playhouses
With so many different types of playhouses to choose from, it is important that you weigh up these important factors to help you make the right decision.
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a magical and enchanting playhouse for your little one:
Age of child
The age of your child is a big factor to consider when looking for a suitable playhouse.
If you have a creative little genius who loves to live their life in a fantasy world, then it is a good idea to invest in a durable wooden playhouse that will grow with them. However, if you just want a couple of years while you’re little one is into playing house or pretend adventures, then go for a lightweight plastic option which you can move around the house and pass on once you’re done.
Plastic playhouses are targeted more at toddlers as they are affordable and easy to move around but quickly outgrown. If you want a playhouse that will last, it is best to choose a wooden playhouse.
Budget
In terms of budget, plastic playhouses tend to be cheaper because they are designed for toddlers and therefore not very long-lasting. On average, you will find plastic playhouses are usually around the £100 mark.
Wooden playhouses, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive. This is because they are made from quality timber and are guaranteed to last a long time. Wooden playhouses tend to cost anywhere between £700-£2000, depending on size and accessories but they will last for years to come.
Assembly
An important factor to consider is how difficult the assembly of your child’s new playhouse is. Parenting is a busy job and most parents don’t have the time to spare on building a playhouse for days on end.
As a general rule, plastic is easier to put up and theoretically should be possible to do with hand tools.
Wooden playhouses, on the other hand, are generally harder work to put up and require power tools, however, no playhouse is more difficult to put together than your average IKEA flat-pack so most parents should find it easy enough.
Accessories
While most playhouses come with windows and a couple of flowerpots, playhouses will offer different accessories and extras depending on the style you choose.
Generally, plastic playhouses will offer more built-in decorations and occasionally added furniture pieces like tables and chairs while wooden playhouses are like miniature houses that you need to buy furniture and accessories for.
So, with wooden playhouses, you’ll spend more money, but you’ll end up with beautiful, long-lasting wooden furniture that resembles an actual home.
Another thing to consider is that wooden playhouses are much easier to customise. You can hang pictures, attach a sign above the door, paint the walls etc whereas if you drill or cut into a plastic playhouse you risk compromising the structural integrity or affecting the weatherproofing.
Plastic playhouses are limited to what decorating you can do whereas wooden houses are completely customisable and waiting for you to unleash your inner child with vibrant colour schemes and personal touches.
Size and weight
As mentioned earlier, plastic playhouses are much more suited to younger children as they are smaller and much more lightweight than wooden playhouses.
One of the biggest benefits of plastic playhouses is that because they are so lightweight, they are able to be moved around easily. However, most children will outgrow a plastic playhouse by the time they reach the age of 6 or 7 because of the low ceilings and lack of space.
Wooden playhouses are more similar in size to a garden shed and have tall ceilings designed to grow with your child. These are built from high-quality timber wood so cannot be moved around easily once built.
While wooden playhouses are a beautiful staple piece for any garden and provide years of entertainment for your child, it is worth considering that once your child eventually does grow out of it, it is not as easy to load in the back of your car and give away.
Longevity
While plastic is relativity long-lasting, it is more susceptible to breakage and extreme weather conditions.
It will fade in the sun and can warp and grow mould more easily in humid climates while wood will stay looking in great condition in all conditions, aside from the need for the occasional lick of paint to keep it looking good as new.
Aesthetics
When it comes to aesthetics, your ideal playhouse will come down to your individual preferences. If you are looking for a vibrant, colourful playhouse to spark your child’s creativity, then a plastic playhouse might be the best for you.
However, for a more natural and realistic-looking playhouse, wooden playhouses are a popular choice for many parents.
Timclad Ltd (York Timber): High quality wooden buildings
Are you looking for a beautiful wooden playhouse to enhance your child’s play? Well, look no further than Timclad Ltd (York Timber)!
At Timclad Ltd (York Timber), we offer a range of high-quality timber garden buildings, including everything from playhouses and summerhouses to garden sheds and dog kennels.
Our children’s playhouses come with either one or two floors in a range of sizes, so you are guaranteed to find something that suits your needs best.
Delivery and installation from trustworthy experts can be booked throughout Yorkshire and surrounding areas, while we also supply the exact materials you need to create any bespoke timber garden buildings.
If you are interested in any of the products we offer or have any specific queries regarding our products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our friendly team here today. We are always on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have and point you in the right direction.