If you are planning on a childrens play house for your offspring, you have about as many choices as you have when purchasing an actual home. Playhouses vary in sizes, styles and materials. There are a few decisions you are going to have to make before you get started.
How big do you want the playhouse to be? It can be small enough to fit inside your home. Or it can be large enough for several children to use at once. Ideally, you will want one large enough that all of your children can use it, accompanied by a friend for each of them.
You may choose to either build your playhouse from the ground up, or purchase one that you only need assemble. This will partly depend on how comfortable you are with a hammer and saw. If you are not really handy, you will have far more options with a prefabricated house. If you are handy, then you are far less limited by building your own.
If you choose to go with a prefabricated playhouse, you need to decide what type of material you want it built from. The typical choices are either wood or plastic. The wood variety will last longer and be sturdier. Wood houses are also easier to add your own personal touches to. Seeing what is available to buy can give you some ideas, even if you prefer to build your own.
Your biggest decision is going to be the design of the house, particularly if you have more than one child to consider as they may have different tastes, especially if different sexes. Girls often want a place that is perfect for a tea party while boys may be thinking more along the lines of a command post. In the case of boys and girls both using the playhouse, you can try to come up with something that both enjoy, like a pirate den or a ranch.
Try to get everyone to take part in the project. Although it can open you up to all kinds of impractical ideas, actually ask the children what kind of playhouse they would like. You will get points for listening if you at least try to use some of their concepts.
If you build the playhouse yourself, you can really get them involved. Ask for their input on colours and have them help paint. Your kids will feel like it is really their place and, if you are lucky, they may take better care of it as well.
When you have the playhouse itself the way you want it, you can then stock it with furniture and accessories that fit with the theme. Accessories can be added both inside and outside. After all, no pirate den would be complete without a Jolly Roger flying over it.
Prefabricated or home built, your childrens play house is going to be a hit. Your kids are sure to have hours of fun, both with and without friends. And, maybe best yet, it will be a type of fun which will fire up their imaginations.