A playhouse is a great way to add extra fantasy to your children’s childhood. Providing a safe and controlled outdoor environment will allow your little ones to express themselves by letting their imaginations and creativity run wild! Simply fill it with a multitude of toys and furniture, then let your kids run wild. The best way to make your playhouse as fun as possible is to decorate it!
In both residential and commercial settings, playhouses have proven to be very popular play units. The variety and scope of “added extras” for a playhouse now means that as well as being great for social play, they can also provide a lot of benefits for childhood development.
Developing Imagination
In the beginning, children’s playhouses were designed to provide children with a place to play on their own and a safe environment in which to play. This is still very much the case today. There are a variety of playhouses available, from traditional styles to innovative designs with play panels, slides, sand and water play areas, and more.
By playing in the playhouse, children can practice their teamwork skills, including adopting another persona within the house. This role play builds social skills and confidence in children later in life.
Social and Emotional Play
A playhouse is often the starting point for these interactions between children when they are about two years old. Children can develop their creativity, communication, empathy, cooperation with their peers, and confidence through social and emotional play.
It is often empathy that is highlighted during this initial stage of friendships. Having a friend over to play in the playhouse can be a big boost to the child’s confidence and sense of belonging. Inclusion in a playhouse is a critical part of the development of good social and emotional skills because a playhouse is often a place where children congregate.
Physical Development
Despite not being your typical playhouse, an outdoor playhouse offers children more opportunities to move and play than at first sight. Here, the focus is on fine motor skills, increasing muscle strength in the hands, and developing coordination of small movements in the hands; all of these skills are being developed within a playhouse space.
Hand-eye coordination often plays a big part in a playhouse, whether it be opening and closing of the door, moving play panel features or enjoying a picnic inside with friends.
Inclusive Play
The great thing about playhouses is that they are great for inclusive play! A playhouse can be used and interacted with by children of all ages and abilities. Most are on the ground level, so wheelchair users or less mobile children can get inside with their friends or gather around the seating area for games and activities. Play Panels are prominently featured and designed for ease of use, so children can enjoy puzzles, spinners, or role play interactions at the kiosk partition.
High Play Value at Low Cost
A playhouse is usually much cheaper than a multiplay unit, but offers the same amount of fun. Since most of the units have a low fall height, there is no need for a safety surfacing, lowering the price and installation considerably. Due to the unique styles and shapes of some playhouses, there is something for everyone’s outdoor space. The small footprint is another selling point for sites with minimal space.
Conclusion
Playhouses give children the freedom to play without the prying eyes of their parents. In their own world, children can enjoy being in charge despite constantly being told what to do. In addition, because of that privacy, children can plan and negotiate make-believe games with their peers, which makes playhouses excellent for social development. Furthermore, children have ample opportunities for imaginative play, which fosters creativity and helps them make sense of real-life situations.
In a nutshell, unstructured and unsupervised play — that can happen in a garden playhouse — can provide the building blocks necessary for children to become physically and emotionally sound adults. It can also be the best place for parents to make great memories with their children. For the best results, you should also personalize your playhouse!
