Boys Playhouse

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Boys of all ages will love the idea of having their own clubhouse or fort to play in with their friends or siblings. Providing them with a safe space for imaginative play, socializing with friends, or simply relaxing with a book, is an important part of allowing them to become independent. We’ve hand-picked some of the best boys playhouse ideas to help you find the right one for your outdoor space.

Tara Gosselin Interior Design Expert

Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.

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Updated 15/06/2023

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Boys Playhouse

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Giving your little boy an outdoor playhouse will ensure it gets vitamin D and fresh air daily. As it will be playing outside, it gets time away from the ever-present screens. Playhouses are fun, stimulating activity centers, so the market is filled with all types of outdoor playhouses.

We’ve compiled a couple of tips for you to choose the right outdoor playhouse and ensure your young adventurer fills its boots with tons of fun while it’s within safe parameters.

What are outdoor playhouses typically made of?

Your material options are wood and plastic when it comes to outdoor playhouses for boys. Both choices have their own pros and cons, so weigh them and decide on the material based on the criterion that’s most important for your child’s safety, learning, and enjoyment.

Plastic - Plastic outdoor playhouses are easy to clean with an ability to stand against all weather conditions. You don’t need a base for a plastic playhouse, so you can simply lay it on the grass in your backyard. There's no risk of trips and splinters with the material, unlike wood. However, units made of plastic can be small for older toddlers.
Wood - A wooden playhouse is great as it often comes with swings, ladders, and a slide. It makes for an attractive addition to a garden and it’s less likely to be afflicted with moss or mold. The problem with wooden playhouses is they can’t be transported as easily as plastic units. They're made for permanent installations, but they are the best playhouses to go for.

Is plastic better than wood in terms of longevity?

Plastic playhouses are quite hardy. There are hardly any complaints regarding their construction. They're also less likely to fall apart or deteriorate. Most families pass plastic playhouses around like baby clothing. The lightweight construction and the portability aspect of the units allow them to be easily thrown into the backs of minivans or trucks to take into another house. However, they require some scrubbing and the color of the material can fade.

As for wooden playhouses, the longevity can vary. There are types of wood that warp, so it’s important that you ensure the one that you get is made of hardwood. It is worth investing into as when your child outgrows its playhouse, you can use it as a storage option for your kid’s outdoor toys or your gardening tools. This is only possible, of course, if the wooden playhouse is made of either oak, maple, or cherry.

How to decorate a boys' outdoor playhouse?

For wooden playhouses, you can inject some color into them by painting the interiors. You can also add wallpaper inside. We suggest you do the decorating with the child as it makes for a great child-parent bonding time and activity.

When decorating the walls of the playhouse, use light-colored paint so you can bring brightness into the room. Create a theme based on your child’s tastes like pirates, animals, or the army. Whatever your kiddo likes! To create a more “homey” feel, add blankets, cushions, bean bags, and rugs on the floor. You can also add curtains to the windows.