Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

playhouses - worth it?

10 replies

Rowlers · 12/03/2006 19:27

DD = 2 soon.
Thinking of buying her a plastic type playhouse as she loves these when we are in the shops.
Anyone got one? Will it be used?
Must admit to thinking of getting an el cheapo one from Argos and not a £250 Little Tikes one.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 12/03/2006 19:42

We got DD (nearly 4) a Little Tykes country cottage house last year - was £139 in John Lewis. Although we got it right at the end of the summer and we've had some bad weather, she has still had some good use out of it and she plays with/in it all the time when in the garden. She is looking forward to playing in it more this Spring and Summer.

When looking we did find the Little Tykes ones much sturdier and stronger than the cheaper makes. And they have a good resale value apparantly.

However, you can get some bigger non-LT ones at much better prices.

1980cat · 12/03/2006 21:12

Got Dd one last summer when she was the same age and she's loved it. It's the little magig doorbell little tikes one. Was only £80 I think but might have had some money off it, although they did go down to £50 a couple of weeks after I bought it.
It's not to big so might not last as long as the more expensive ones but I plan on getting her a wooden one when I finally get a garden and the little one can stay at Granny's.
I would agree the cheaper ones didn't seem as good quality as the little tikes and some seem to be just as expensive.

Bozza · 12/03/2006 21:15

We got a cheapish one from ToysRUs last summer. It only cost £50 and although it doesn't look that sturdy seems to be doing OK. Also great for storing toys in.

Yorkiegirl · 12/03/2006 21:20

we've got a wooden one and it is fantastic. My DDs love playing in it. Keeps all the garden toys clean and dry too. Worth the extra money compared to a plastic one IMO.

Spatz · 12/03/2006 21:27

My two 4.9 and 2.10 have played in theirs for over 2 years and still have lots of fun.

I do wish we'd bought a wooden one, though - it is a bit of an eyesore

BettySpaghetti · 12/03/2006 21:32

We've got a wooden one and it gets loads of use. Its big enough for a kiddies table and chairs in so, in the summer, they can do drawing etc in there, have lunch etc.
In the winter all the toys get stored away in there together with garden umbrella and some plants.
If we're still living here when the kids are grown up the playhouse will become a shed I suppose.

alexsmum · 12/03/2006 21:33

my ds's love theirs.it's the toyrus £50 one.we had it in the house last winter and it's been in the garden since.they played with it loads in the summer.

JiminyCricket · 12/03/2006 21:47

Bit extravagent but we got the b&q £299 wooden one on stilts - fantasatic for storing garden toys underneath and we love it. Think it will last them for years so worth the money and the work

MrsBadger · 12/03/2006 21:51

Quadro - then rebuild it into something else afterwards?

Original poster
Rowlers · 12/03/2006 22:19

Thanks everyone for those tips.
Need to think again!
Was hoping to get away with a small spend but you've got me wondering now wether it might be a false economy.
More looking before buying I reckon.
Thanks loads.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page