When In Doubt, Ask The Internet!
This is not to imply that I’m not seriously considering many of the sexy ideas you’ve all given me to cure this Godforsaken Writer’s Block, because I have many a Nat story brewing in my loins, but now I have a serious question for you brilliant folks.
So, for Christmas this year we planned on buying a swing-set for our backyard, because as I understand it, this is what all the cool kids do, and I’m desperately trying to be cool. But when we researched it further, it became apparent that most of the play-sets we were looking at were going to take up enough of my yard that I balked at it. They also were approximately the cost of a used subcompact car, which was prohibitive enough to make me weep a little.
We came up with a Plan B: buy a playhouse for the kids for the backyard. A sweet wooden playhouse, not a plastic one, because I hate plastic stuff. Unless it’s in my boobs. Then I like it a lot.
But now I’m wondering if this is what 2 little boys need in their backyard. It’s kind of…girly.
What do you think?
I think it’s mostly the flowers that make it look girly. But if you are really worried you can install a laser canon and radar dish on top. Then, no matter how girly it is, it can be used to repel alien invaders.
And boys dig that.
I agree that only the flowers make it girly. It looks kinda small though… You sure a swingset wouldn’t be more fun?
I think kids like hiding places. It could be like a treehouse without the danger of falling.
A deck, for sure
a little dog house nextdoor (for Auggie, but not really, just for looks)
a satellite dish that someone else no longer needs…(free)
a sign….stating “No Girls Allowed!”
Looks on the girly side to me…
Just remember: it is never to early to start them on power tools!
My 2 nephews love theirs, but it’s of the big plastic Little Tykes variety. They also have a slide and some tube lookin’ thingys and stuff. I think they’d like it regardless of what it looks like though. And they are safer than a swingset.
I think they would enjoy it. Agree with Dr. Grumbles: it’s like a safe little tree house.
I’m not into the girl/boy thing, so I think it’s great — I know Bella’s school has a playhouse on the yard, and all the kids dig it. they don’t necessarily play “house” but hide and seek, “store,” etc. You can always get a play mower and have them take care of the “lawn” in front, and a lot of people sell cute kids bbq sets (I’m thinking of one of those myself). Also mini outdoor furniture for in front, play mini fridge inside, and they’ll be set! Also, we inherited a jumbo fancy/shmancy playset with our house and Bella gravitates to the tire swing, and the cheapy plastic disc sing on a rope that someone left on a tree. Really, don’t need the whole set I don’t think.
Lose the flowers, and it looks like a barn – especially with the split door. And what boy isn’t at home in a barn? Dress ’em in overalls and let ’em play!
Take out the flowers and replace them with severed doll heads on stakes and you’re good to go. Add some red paint to the walls to give it that true murder house feeling, if you’re so inclined.
i like it.
I have to agree – a little girly. What about some sort of kick-ass pirate ship or tree fort? You’ve got to man up a little…
Oh. My. God. Aunt Becky! I knew it before I clicked the link! THAT is the EXACT playhouse I’ve been nagging E to buy our kids! We’ve also been wavering about the damn swing set. We went to this one company to look and the cheapest set was $950 with the most expensive coming in at $46 THOUSAND dollars. Hell, yes, they need a playhouse instead. I’ll buy it if you do 😉 .
For that price, I’d investigate a shed with windows at the hardware store. Then it would still be useful when the kids outgrow it. My sister and I built a shed with my dad with a large recycled window out of my grandparents red wood fencing. We used it for a play house, then my parents used it for the lawnmower and recycling bins later on.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=92737-25-LX1014&lpage=none
Like that.
I think, they’ll love it!
No doubt.
My two kids would for sure!
As long as you put the sign “NO GIRLS ALLOWED EXCEPT MOM” then it won’t be too girly.
1) Who gives a shit if it is girly?
2) I have no idea why anyone would label it that way.
3) The big answer is that kids get tired of things like the playhouses if they are in their own backyards. If you buy this, they will play with it for a week and then it will sit there. You are better off getting a few smaller things (like a collapsible tent) that you can cycle in and out so the kids don’t get bored. Better use of your money, by far.
Do they want one? I guess that’s the real question. It doesn’t look overly girly to me but then I have both boys and girls.
My oldest would have wanted the swing set and something to climb (and shoot preferably while climbing). The second would have loved the playhouse and would be shooting out of that lol.
OH another idea is a sandbox. Gotta love the dirt factor. It’s always a winner!
I don’t think it’s girly…just don’t put the fake flowers in the window box.
We had a swing set growing up, I played on it forever. One of my friends had a little playhouse similar to this one. I was so jealous. So either way you go, I’m sure the boys will have fun with it.
I was once a small boy, and I probably would not have played in it nearly as much as I would have if it were just a card board box I could cut my own holes in, paint, and reshape into a space ship, or star port, or whatever I was thinking. Cardboard boxes were the best toys.
Oh, and they were mostly free. And when I got tired of it, my mom could throw it out without feeling guilty. When we got another box, the game started again. When I was too old to want to play in cardboard boxes any more, my mom stopped saving them for me.
I was weird though. Many times I played with the box more than I did the toy inside it.
I’m on Team take the flowers out and add something dude-like.
A skull and crossbones should suffice – though I enjoyed the murder house visual provided by SciFi Dad.
I think that my two boys would have a blast with it… we have been having the same trouble with out door toys… Swing Sets are rediculous $$– so I have been buying other things. Plastic toys, ride on toys– and bubbles– I am going this weekend for a sandbox– because Sam will be occupied for HOURS… and I so need that!
I’m not a mom (a real one) or a little boy so take this with a grain of salt. But I think it’s rad.
If they want to tough it up, they can run a military perimeter around it to patrol, or start pretending like they’re sniping from the roof. Let’s hope not, but you know, kids have imagination right?
I used to have to make my playhouse out of big cardboard boxes when I was a kid. I put real bits of fabric in it for curtains and totally pimped it. I would have pissed my pants to have one of those real wooden houses!
I vote for the swing set…..they will have a lot more fun for a longer period of time swinging and climbing and being little monkeys
It’s not girly. That’s the most masculine play house I’ve seen. And I love the fact that it’s wooden. Playhouses are the coveted toys for daycares. All the kids want to play in them. I also agree that it’s a safer alternative to a tree house!!!
I have to agree that if you are looking for something for them to spend hours playing in – this may not be it. As the parent of two toddlers, the swing set is a much bigger hit. And as someone who “inherited” a set for free I say if you live close enough to a park that you can walk – you don’t need a swing set. They will always want to have the friends to play with.
If you, however, are not one of the park friendly few, might I suggest:
http://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Playful-Playhouse-Climber-Extension/dp/B00066LFT8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1211386402&sr=1-2
or even this:
http://www.amazon.com/Step2-745000-Naturally-Playful-Clubhouse/dp/B0003UJ0VW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1211386402&sr=1-6
The footprint is not TOO big and you get a lot more bang for your buck.
Oh, And I think the playhouse is perfect – boy or girl. But I have never been all that aware of gender specifics with toys.
Good luck.
Very cute! Get rid of the flowers for some sort of weapon storage and it is perfect. Believe me, you do need weapon storage. as a mom to 3 boys, I can attest that there are never enough racks to contain all the home assembled guns, swords, light sabers etc.
I really want a swingset, one of those big cedar ones with the tree house and climbing wall…. but at 1500 bucks I think I have to keep dreaming.
Our trampoline gets lots of use though.
Call it a fort, not a playhouse and it’s not girly at all 🙂
Oh jebus, please do NOT give your kids weapons as toys! So disturbing.
Idig the little weather vane. It doesn’t seem girly at all to me, unless you’re saying it is girly by virtue of being a house (Which is women’s domain??? ummm… Men live in houses too!)
That depends… are you going to plant flowers in the flower boxes on the outside?? (HeHeHe!!) 🙂
I think it’s one of the least girly playhouses I’ve seen. I say buy it. My kid has one of the ugly plastic variety (it was a gift) but she loves it to pieces. She would move out there if I let her.
I don’t think it’s girly enough. I think you should paint it pink and install eylette-lace curtains.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
We had a house and spiders moved in and that was the end of it. On the other hand, they constantly play with their swingset. We have one of the big wooden ones that they really will use until they are at least 12. You get your money’s worth out of it.
Look at it this way…if it takes up most of your yard, that’s less you have to mow.
Yup, too girly – they’ll turn out to be gay for sure.
KIDDING.
My sons had one of those little tyke/etc -type plastic houses that they LOVED when they were little. (yes, my social conscious is hurting – but I picked it up super cheap at a garage sale. Recycling, no?) They used it more than the swing set. They only thing they used as much was the small climbing toy/slide combo. Though, when they outgrew the climbing toy they scaled the plastic house instead….
Anyhow, I’d save the fancy swing sets for the park, neighbors and friends and spend your money on something different for your yard. That way they’ll be hip and cool with their chums for having something different. I think the playhouse is cool!