In short: The children’s playhouse is a small wooden house with a gable plank roof, log corners and an open entrance framed by a naturally curved branch. Inside there is a bench and a plank floor, and in the side wall a window with wavy surrounds. The size and finish are agreed individually.
What kind of children’s playhouse this is
This playhouse is made so that children feel cozy in it and adults can easily see what is going on inside. Its front is partly open: on the left stands a low plank wall, and on the right a wide entrance without a door. Children run in and out freely through it, and parents can watch them from the side.
The entrance is framed on one side by a naturally curved branch. It rises from the floor right up to the roof and, with its curve, recalls the door of a fairy-tale forest cottage. It is the detail that catches the eye most and gives each playhouse of this kind a face of its own, because two identical branches do not exist.
The four corners of the playhouse are made of round logs. They hold up the roof and also serve as a sturdy frame to which the walls are fixed. The side wall is made of thick horizontal boards, and the front wall of vertical ones. A combination of different directions like this makes the playhouse livelier.
The proportions of the playhouse are adapted to children: the roof is low, the entrance wide, and the window at a height where it is comfortable to look out of while standing. At the same time the construction is massive, so the playhouse stands firmly and does not look like a temporary toy. This combination is especially important where the playhouse stands in a spot where many children play.
The roof and the gable
The gable roof is made of wide boards laid overlapping one on another, as on old village buildings. A covering like this sheds water quickly, and the edges of the boards create a rhythmic, stepped roof surface. The roof projects well beyond the walls, so the rain does not reach them directly.
The gable is covered with boards, and its lower edge is cut in a wavy line. This detail softens the shape of the playhouse and gives it playfulness. Inside the gable you can see the roof boards from below and the crosswise beams, which to children look like the ceiling of a real attic.
The window and the inside
A window divided by two vertical slats is cut in the side wall. Above it and below it are fixed boards with wavy-cut surrounds, like the shutters of a real house. Through the window children can look out at the yard or play at selling their wares.
Inside, a bench is fitted against the back wall, and the floor is laid with boards. Several children can sit on the bench, put down toys or set up their own kitchen. The floor is raised a little above the ground, so it stays drier.
What the photo shows
The summary helps you understand which details can be seen in this typical example.
| Feature | In the photo |
|---|---|
| Gable roof of overlapping boards | Yes |
| Corners of round logs | Yes |
| Open entrance with a curved branch | Yes |
| Window with wavy surrounds | Yes |
| Bench and plank floor inside | Yes |
| Door | No |
The playhouse stands on a gravel surface in a fenced play area. Behind it you can see a lawn, a fence, a street lamp and houses on a hillside. The surroundings show that a playhouse like this suits not only a private yard but also a public children’s playground.
The wood is coated with a light, warm-toned layer through which the clear grain of the wood and the places where branches grew can be seen. The roof is a little darker, so the outline of the playhouse stands out well against the green lawn. The boards are fixed with screws, whose heads can be seen on the surface of the boards.
Why children need a playhouse of their own
A playhouse is a child’s own space, in which he or she is in charge. This is where games of house, shop, school or fairy-tale castle are born. Role-playing games like these develop imagination, speech and social skills, because children agree on who will be what and what they will do.
An open playhouse especially suits smaller children. It has no door that could slam and catch fingers, and adults can always see what is going on inside. At the same time the roof, walls and window create the feeling of a real little house, so children feel cozy there.
The playhouse is useful in practical ways, too. When a short rain comes, children can take shelter under the roof, and on a hot day they can stay in the shade. The bench inside becomes a resting place between more active games. After play, toys can be left on it so that they stay under the roof and do not get wet with dew.
It also matters that a playhouse lures children outdoors. Having a place of their own in the yard, they are more willing to play in the fresh air and not in front of screens. A wooden playhouse made by hand pleases the eye as well: it becomes a decoration of the yard and not only a toy.
Play ideas for an open playhouse
An open playhouse with a window and a bench leaves a lot of freedom for children’s imagination. It has no preset purpose, so each day it can become something different. Here are a few ideas that children often come up with themselves:
- A shop. The window becomes a counter through which sand cakes, pine cones or leaves are sold.
- A home. The bench turns into a bed or a table, and the low wall into a kitchen cabinet.
- A fairy-tale hut. The curved branch at the entrance recalls a forest cottage, so it is easy to imagine gnomes or little witches here.
- A hideout. In games of hide and seek the playhouse becomes the favorite hiding place and a home where you are safe.
Parents can add variety to the games with simple means: hang a little curtain, put a few cushions on the bench, or put up a small sign above the entrance. Small changes like these turn the playhouse into a new place again and again.
A playhouse for a kindergarten, a school or a yard
In the photo the playhouse stands in a public play area, so it suits educational institutions well, too. In the yard of a kindergarten or a school, a children’s playhouse like this becomes a place for quieter games among slides and swing sets. The open front lets teachers see the children, and the sturdy construction withstands intensive use.
In a private yard the playhouse can stand next to the terrace, at the edge of the garden or beside other play equipment. Before putting it up, consider:
- the base: in the photo the playhouse stands on gravel, which lets water through well;
- visibility: it is handy when the entrance faces the house or the terrace;
- shade: in summer it is nice when trees shade the playhouse for part of the day;
- the space around: free room must remain around the playhouse for play and for maintenance.
Small children must always be supervised by adults in a play spot. Once a season check that there are no split-off splinters or protruding screws and that the bench is holding firmly.
In a public play area the playhouse is worth inspecting more often, because many children use it. After winter, check that the base has not shifted and that the roof boards are not cracked. Small damage noticed in time is quickly and cheaply repaired.
Care and what to discuss when ordering
Periodically coat the plank roof and walls with a protective product made for exterior wood. Look especially carefully at the bottoms of the logs and the lower boards, as they are closest to the ground. Sweep leaves off the roof so that moisture does not linger between the overlapping boards. The gravel around the playhouse helps water soak away, so the lower boards dry faster. Small cracks appear in wood naturally and usually do not harm the strength, but in a children’s play spot the surface must stay smooth.
When you order, discuss how many children will play in the playhouse and how old they are, whether it will stand in a private yard or a public play area, and what finish you want. If you need an enclosed playhouse with a door, compare with the wooden playhouse for children with a terrace or the treehouse on a tree trunk. The sandbox with a canopy would also go well next to it. If you want swings nearby, look at the children’s swing set No. 5. You will find more products in the section swing sets, sandboxes and children’s playhouses.
How to order
UAB “Laukbaldis” has been making wooden products since 1996 and, according to the company, was the first in Lithuania to start making this production. Besides children’s playhouses, the company makes swing sets, sandboxes, gazebos and garden furniture.
Call +370 687 25388 and say that you are interested in the children’s playhouse with an open entrance. Only typical examples are shown on the website, so the size, layout and finish are agreed with you before production.
If you are ordering the playhouse for an educational institution, say how many children will play in the area at the same time and what the surface is there. For a private yard it is useful to know the age of the children and the place where the playhouse will stand, as this makes it easier to choose the right size and the side of the entrance.
Frequently asked questions
Does this playhouse have a door?
No, in the photo the playhouse has an open entrance without a door. Children can enter and leave freely, and adults always see what is going on inside.
What is inside the playhouse?
A bench is fitted against the back wall, and the floor is laid with boards. Several children can sit on the bench or put down toys.
Is the playhouse suitable for a kindergarten playground?
In the photo the playhouse stands in a fenced public play area on a gravel surface. The open front lets teachers see the children, and the size is agreed individually.
What is the roof of the playhouse made of?
The roof is gabled, made of wide boards laid overlapping one on another. A covering like this sheds water quickly and recalls old village buildings.
How do I look after the plank roof of the playhouse?
Several times a season, sweep leaves and twigs off the roof so that moisture does not linger between the boards. Periodically coat the boards with a protective product made for exterior wood.
How do I order a playhouse for children?
Call us and say that you are interested in the playhouse with an open entrance. We will discuss the size, the layout and the finish.
