When it comes to sparking imaginations, a children’s playhouse is a brilliant foundation for a whole host of games. Choose wisely and you’ll get years of play out of it, so rather than wincing at the cost of some of the hefty price tags, see a playhouse as an investment piece for your family.

It’s not strictly an outdoor affair anymore either. While the traditional wendy house style is for the garden, playhouses come in all shapes and sizes nowadays and in a variety of materials too, from scandi-inspired wooden designs to luxurious linens and cotton teepees.

The decision of which playhouse will naturally be impacted by the space you have available to you, and how many kids will be playing with it at one time.

If you’re opting for an outdoor playhouse for your garden, the first thing you should check is that it has been EN71 certified, meaning it’s safe for play. It’s also worth remembering that wooden ones will require some DIY skills, but the outcome pays off. They can also require maintenance, as some need to be treated to keep the wood looking good over time.

To get an overview of the options available, we’ve tested everything from purse-friendly playhouses to deluxe showstoppers.

Our top five children’s playhouses for 2024 include

Lifetime Adventure Tower Playset – Earthtone

Give your children and grandchildren a space where they can let their imagination soar with the Lifetime Adventure Tower Playset – Earthtone .

Ideal for children ages 3-12, the Adventure Tower provides the perfect location for your child’s physical and mental development. Let them swing in the jungle, climb mountains or achieve their dreams of becoming an acrobat as they use the many features included in the Adventure Tower.

Children can enjoy hours of fun outside while parents enjoy a low maintenance design that retains its look and function for years.

With the Lifetime Adventure Tower Swing Set, your children will spend hours outside with friends and family.

Phoenix 9×6 Timber Playhouse – Various Colours

The Phoenix 9×6 Timber Playhouse – Various Colours from Little Rascals is a fantastic 6ft x 4ft playhouse for your little rascals to turn into their own private Den.

You can let them play to their hearts content, safe in the knowledge that it is built to all EN71 certification requirements.

Choose from 10 different shades of colour to enhance any garden setting, let us do all the hard work for you.

The Phoenix playhouse is the ultimate private hang out for your child. Not only is it a room to call their own and spend hours and hours re creating fun and roll play but is has an upstairs balcony. This can be used as a bed or chill out area.

Window are strategically placed at eyes level of the bed to maximise light on to the area and give perfect viewing. The upstairs balcony is accessed by a permanent ladder.

The Phoenix is all about the play area. Not only is this playhouse big enough to accommodate an upstairs balcony but it can also house a desk, work station, play kitchen or even a second bed.

Another big feature of the Phoenix, is the double set of barn doors. These open outwards allowing enough space to push a bike, trike of scooter in should you wish.

The Phoenix Playhouse has 6 windows, designed to maximise light at all angles.

Rowlinson Timber 8’x6′ Country Cottage Playhouse

Felix 6×4 Timber Playhouse with Veranda and Slide

The Felix 6×4 Timber Playhouse with Veranda and Slide- Various Colours from Little Rascals is a fantastic 6ft x 4ft playhouse for your little rascals to turn into their own private Den.

You can let them play to their hearts content, safe in the knowledge that it is built to all EN71 certification requirements.

Choose from 10 different shades of colour to enhance any garden setting, let us do all the hard work for you.

The Felix playhouse itself is finished off to the highest detail, including all edging, windows, doors and roof finals painted in 3 coats of white.

The Stilts are painted in our modern, Dolphin Grey colour which contrasts superbly against the playhouse colour of your choice and the white detailing.

The Felix comes complete with one side window and two front windows, add a 4th window should you wish from the optional extras that are available.

As the Felix is designed to be modular, you can decide which side of the playhouse the window panel is fitted, left or right, depending on your garden to suit best.

A big feature of the Felix, because it is modular means that you can decide where the ladder and slide fit within the Veranda, either at the front or left or right to the side.

The floor of the Veranda is made of non slip, decking wood, painted a darker shade of grey to contrast further against the Dolphin Grey of the stilts.

To add yet another dimension and creation to the Felix playhouse, why not purchase a climbing wall from the optional extras.

Mercia 12’x5′ Poppy Timber Playhouse with Tower and Slide

The post Children Playhouses – New for 2024 first appeared on ShedMaster UK | Garden Sheds | Garden Buildings Installations.

Entertaining kids at home isn’t an easy tasks. The trip to parks and playground daily can be stressful for working parents. So why not create your own playground in your backyard? Buy climbing frames and garden play equipment to keep your children busy and active all year around in your home. Here at SHEDMASTER we have a huge range of wooden climbing frames which includes slides, swings, ladders and monkey bars. It’s every child’s dream to have their own little playground in their backyard which is accessible to them any time of the day. What’s more it also keeps them away from watching television or from computer screens.

Our playground equipment collection comes in many varieties and sizes which are carefully selected from the most reliable manufactures. They are durable and safe for children and suitable for children from 3 to 12 years of age. Playcentre installation service is also available for those who need help to install these large climbing frames. For more outdoor fun ideas please see our categories like pools and inflatables and outdoor play

Lifetime Teeter Totter Ace Flyer – Primary Colours

Keep all kids entertained at once with the Lifetime Ace Flyer Teeter-Totter – The Ace Flyer features a double teeter-totter, spinning propeller, interactive dashboard, and can hold up to seven kids at once. Comes in Earthtones (Green, Brown, Tan) naturally complimenting the garden. 1-year limited warranty.
All-Weather Resistant. Will Not Crack, Warp, Rot, or Split
Double Teeter-Totter
Heavy-Duty Powder-Coated Steel Construction
Seats Up to Seven Children at Once
Up, Down, and Side-to-Side Movement Design

Lifetime 7′ Swing Playset – Earthtone

Soar through the skies with the Lifetime 7-Foot Swing Set. Your children can enjoy hours of fun flying through the air like birds, twisting on the trapeze like an acrobat, and going on adventures anywhere in the sky. This set features a free-standing design that doesn’t require cement for setup. The swing set is all-weather resistant and UV-resistant to hold up against the elements all year round.

The low maintenance design keeps the swing set looking great without the need of paint or upkeep. Give your kids and grandkids more time outside by turning your backyard into the perfect playground. With the Lifetime Swing Set, kids can go anywhere their imaginations can take them.

Features:

1 Trapeze Bar and 2 Swings
All-Weather Resistant – Will Not Crack, Warp, Rot, or Splinter
Free-Standing – No Need for Cement
Hard Edges are Rounded or Covered with Plastic Caps
Low Maintenance – No Staining or Painting Required
No Lead-Based Material
Passes Playground Performance and Safety Standards
Soft Rubber Grips on Swing Chains to Prevent Pinching or Snagging

Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Playset – Earthtone

Bring the jungle to your backyard with the Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Swing Set! Kids can enjoy hours of play while exploring their imaginations and getting plenty of exercise. They can swing through the vines on the monkey bars, glide through the air on the trapeze bar and swings, or cruise down a river using the slide.

The set is built for durability and is all-weather resistant to protect from the elements. The low maintenance design requires no painting and looks great for years. Kids can enjoy the playground right in their backyard with the Lifetime Monkey Bar Adventure Set.

Features:

3 Belt Swings, 9-ft. Wavy Slide
All-Weather Resistant – Will Not Crack, Warp, Rot, or Splinter
Fireman’s Pole, Monkey Bars
Free-Standing – No Need for Cement
Hard Edges are Rounded or Covered with Plastic Caps
Low Maintenance – No Staining or Painting Required
Passes Playground Performance and Safety Standards
Soft Rubber Grips on Swing Chains to Prevent Pinching or Snagging

Lifetime Adventure Tower Playset – Earthtone

Let your child’s imagination soar as they play on their very own Lifetime Adventure Tower Playset! Ideal for children aged 3-12, the Adventure Tower will provide the perfect location for your child’s physical and mental development. Let them swing in the jungle, climb Mount Everest, or achieve their dreams of becoming an acrobat as they use the many features the Adventure Tower comes with. From the slide and swings to the climbing walls and clubhouse, your kids will spend hours outside with friends and family.

All-weather resistant – will not crack, warp, rot, or splinter
Clubhouse with hardtop roof
Four storefronts
Free-standing – no need for cement
Hard edges are rounded or covered with plastic caps
Integrated car map on tower floor
Low maintenance – no staining or painting required
No lead-based material
Soft rubber grips on swing chains to prevent pinching or snagging
Two sturdy 3-D climbing walls – UV-resistant – retains strength and maintains colour
8.9cm diameter steel pole construction
Safe and strong steel construction, passes playground performance and safety standards

The post Review: Lifetime Children’s Play Equipment first appeared on ShedMaster UK | Garden Sheds | Garden Buildings Installations.

Children’s Climbing Domes

Many people decided to upgrade their backyards during the pandemic. It offered a convenient way for caretakers and children alike to get outdoors. Instead of wrangling everyone into the car to head to the park, kids can simply open their backdoor to find adventure. And one of the most popular outdoor activities is a climbing dome.

Climbing equipment encourages kids to get off their electronic devices and outside for some fresh air. It promotes physical exercise and helps develop hand-eye coordination, balance and spatial awareness.

A dome gives youngsters the freedom to climb independently and safely. You can sit back and supervise, knowing your kids are climbing on a stable structure to their heart’s content.

What to consider before you buy a climbing dome

Climbing Dome Size

Children should use their climbing domes outdoors since they are too big for the average home. However, you can install some smaller versions both inside and out. These are great for climbers who like to stay active all year round. However, the smaller the frame, the more quickly your little ones will grow out of it.

Make sure you have plenty of space surrounding the dome, so there’s no chance of hitting an object, like a tree or stump. Also, be sure to remove any tree branches that might hang too low above the climbing dome.

It’s important to follow the company’s age recommendation for a climbing dome. These guidelines ensure children won’t fall too far to the ground if they take a spill. If you have a toddler, they should use a soft foam playset for climbing adventures. Once they’re old enough, you can upgrade them to a climbing dome.

Climbing dome weight capacity

If you’re using an outdoor climbing dome, opt for a power-coated or galvanized steel option. A steel frame is likely to support more weight than a plastic option, though this will make it heavier and more difficult to manoeuvre. Both materials are incredibly durable and safe for hours of climbing. Although coated steel is weather-resistant, you’ll still want to cover it or take it down during the winter months. This will extend the life of your climbing dome.

Climbing dome safety

As with all climbing equipment, your number one concern should be safety. An adult should always supervise children when they are climbing on the dome. Make sure they wear fitted clothing and take off any jewelry or other items that could get caught on the frame. Children should not use the climbing dome when it is wet as they can slip and fall.

Make sure you fit the dome securely to a flat, level surface. If you’re concerned about the dome rocking or tipping over, you can try using a ground anchor kit.

Since falling is a possibility, setting up the equipment on a soft landing surface is crucial. Positioning the frame over grass is the cheapest and easiest option. If you require extra protection, playground tiles are an affordable choice.

Additional climbing dome features

Most kids have other interests besides climbing, so it might be wise to purchase a dome that has some additional features. Some climbing domes include a cover, which doubles as a fort or tent for little ones to escape the sun. Others have adjoining slides, such as the Slide Whizzer Dome, or swings, like the Jugader Dome.

Climbing dome assembly

All of the products listed here require assembly. And you’ll likely need two people to put everything together. If you’re purchasing one as a gift, consider setting everything up beforehand so it’s ready for use right away. Alternatively get a professional to install the unit.

Our Top Children Domes

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