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.
Pint-Sized Pine Playhouse
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber / Click image for larger view.
As the photo demonstrates, this cute little backyard playhouse is for small children, as in the preschool set. For not too much more money, I'd rather have a charming little abode like this to look at than a colorful plastic thing that fades within six months. And it's not just about looks -- this pint-sized playhouse is made of pine and features a real shingled roof. The windows have shutters that open, close and lock. It also has cute details like a windowbox and a four-"pane" window. For the adventurous, there's always that opportunity to paint or stain the wood whatever your little one's heart desires. Perhaps best of all, the manufacturer claims it can be assembled in three hours! Quicker than a bicycle on Christmas Eve!
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.
Backyard Inflatable Snow Fort
Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber. Click image for larger view.
You and your children could spend days making ice bricks for an outdoor igloo, only to watch them melt as the sun comes out just as your charming igloo has been built. Save time for more snow rompin' with an easily inflatable snow fort. There's a few different brands and models available, most are under $100. For children who live in warmer climes and merely dream of those legendary "Snow Days," maybe they can pretend it's snowing if they have an igloo to set the stage.
Tell your children this is their backyard "winter residence" if their playhouse is shut down for the winter, and they'll fly with the concept!
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!
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.
