It's simple and a given: kids love to play outdoors, and kids love to play on stuff outdoors. They delight in playhouses and play equipment that's tailored for their smaller sizes, and love having a space outdoors they can claim as their own.
As with any gift, you can go simple or elaborate: most children are appreciative and thrilled to have something that kicks off their imaginations or sets them free to exercise in their own environment. A bonus for parents: you can make sure they're safe.
Child-Sized Redwood Picnic Table
Photo Courtesy of Forever Redwood
The children's picnic tables made by Forever Redwood are fine-quality pieces of furniture made in the same way as the adult-sized versions. Forever Redwood is from Old-Growth Again Restoration Forestry and offers four grades of wood:
- Douglas Fir: No. 1 Structural Select Grade (or better) with a mostly open grain and eight-year warranty.
- Young Redwood: Con-Common Grade (or better) open grain with a 10-year warranty.
- Mature Redwood: Select-Heart Grade (or better) open grain with a 20-year warranty.
- Old-Growth Redwood: Select-Heart Grade (or better) tight grain with a 30-year warranty.
Children's Playhouses: Plans and Ideas by Tina Skinner
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
You and the child in your life will have a fun time bonding over this collection of hundreds of colorful and imaginative playhouses, from detailed Victorians to more modern mini-mansions, built in a child's scale. Many of the top playhouse manufacturers are profiled, and readers will get a chance to look inside and outside many of the featured playhouses. Some of the images show houses with a mix of recycled objects, while others are careful studies in scale and architectural design and detail. If you're toying with the idea of embarking on a DIY playhouse project, Skinner provides plans and blueprints for half a dozen playhouses. A resource guide will help you locate plans and kits featured in the book.
Melissa and Doug Lemonade Stand / Grocery Store
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Some of us have treasured memories of getting together with neighborhood friends and devising enterprising ways of making money, llike selling lemonade (often to each other). Melissa and Doug makes updated versions of classic children's toys, created with durable materials like wood and sturdy plastic. This wooden play center features removable plastic bins for pretend shopping, a removable chalkboard price signs, a spacious countertop and reversible fabric awning: on side says "Lemonade" and the other says "Grocery Store." So it can be a Grocery Store or a Lemonade Stand Groceries are sold Seperately Dimensions: 29.5 inches x 19.5 inches x 19.5 inches Ages 3 and up
Nostalgia Electrics Old Fashioned Lemonade Stand and Kit
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber
An adult will need to be around and lend a guiding hand as children mix citrusy concoctions in Nostalgia Electrics' Old Fashioned Lemonade Stand and Kit. Can be used with the Melissa and Doug Lemonade Stand or separately. The Nostalgia Electrics Lemonade Juice Stand mixes ice and other ingredients with lemons, limes and other citrus fruits. Easy dispensing spout on/off switch activates the juicer and stirring. The kit, sold separately, comes with a gingham tablecloth, large spoon, 24 disposable cups, and a sign panel with erasable marker.
Kids will have so much fun they'll forget that lemonade is actually made from something healthy: fruit!
Oval Ice Rink
Photo by Lisa Hallett Taylor
This winter, your backyard, front yard or other outdoor space will be the coolest place in the neighborhood. Get out your blades of glory! This "beginners" ice rink will become a prime spot for your family to hone its skating skills and practice hockey. Assembly is pretty straightforward: you just inflate the rink with an air pump, fill it with water, and let it freeze.
Winter Fun House
Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber
A backyard chalet -- aka snow fort -- may be just what your children need to get away from the computer games and into the fresh winter air. Made of cold-resistant PVC, this ski lodge has a diirm three windows and a chimney. Small-space alert: this winter fun house is inflatable, which means you can deflate it when not in use and it won't always be taking up room in your yard. Colors and styles vary; pump sold separately.
