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Backyard Discovery vs KidKraft

Wednesday, December 4th

2024 Playhouse Reviews

Backyard Discovery Review 3.5 Star Rating

Backyard Discovery

3.5 Star Rating
  • Prices starting at $249
  • 10 playhouse choices
  • Free shipping
  • 4-5 day shipping
  • $50 off your order of $499 with email signup
  • Professional assembly available on some playhouses
  • 30-day return policy
  • "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Backyard Discovery has a selection of 10 playhouses, so you can quickly glance over the inventory and see if anything strikes your fancy. Their products are built for outdoor use, so you won't find any indoor playhouses here. Prices are reasonable and you'll get free shipping on your order. We really like the designs of playhouses at Backyard Discovery, since they are cute and highly-rated, but we wish there was a bigger selection.

KidKraft Review 2 Star Rating

KidKraft

2 Star Rating
  • Prices starting at $399
  • 4 in-stock playhouses
  • Assembly available in some areas
  • 30-day return policy
  • Unfiltered customer reviews

KidKraft has a big selection of kids toys and furniture, but only 4 in-stock options for playhouses. Their inventory is cute and modern, but the reviews from customers say the materials are flimsy, orders are often missing pieces, and customer service is hardly helpful in rectifying it. They also have a "D-” rating from the Better Business Bureau, so needless to say, this isn't a fantastic place to shop online for playhouses.

Where Can You Find the Best Playhouses?

Parents are always looking for ways to keep their children entertained for hours while nurturing their imagination. Playhouses are a great way to allow a kid to explore new worlds by playing store, kitchen, princesses, knights, or whatever their limitless minds come up with. They're plenty of fun for one kid alone or a bunch of siblings and friends who join in too.

Playhouses are one of those toys that never goes out of style and is enjoyed by those young and old - sure to be a huge hit for a birthday present, Christmas gift, or just for fun. And, there are plenty of different types of playhouses to fit the space you have and the style you're going for.

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Playhouse FAQ

Playhouses are used for having fun! They are a place where children can make memories and use their imagination. They might pretend to be adults and make meals, take care of babies, and have sleepovers with siblings or friends. Playhouses often look like mini replicas of real homes and can be as simple or fancy as you want them to be. The selection available online for children's playhouses is extremely impressive.
It's not uncommon to put a children's playhouse in your backyard or playroom. As long as you have plenty of space and a good area for adult supervision when necessary, a playhouse could really go anywhere. Just make sure it's on level ground to ensure doors can open freely so that kids can play safely!
The simple answer is that playhouses should be big enough for children to easily walk in and out and play inside without feeling too constrained. Most people don't have an area in or outside of their house for a giant playhouse, so it just needs to be big enough to play comfortably. The technical answer is that some experts say playhouses should be between 50 and 100 square feet with a maximum wall height of 6 feet.
When buying a playhouse, you could either go with a wood exterior or an all-weather durable plastic. Wood is easy to paint and customize whereas plastic won't show as much wear and tear overtime like dents, paint chips, or scratches. When deciding what you want your playhouse to be made of, consider the weather in your area, how hard your kids will be on it, and if it will be inside or outside. You also might decide just based on the style.
Playhouses can be expensive if you want your children to have a mini mansion in the backyard! If you want a multi-level, fully accessorized playhouse, you can easily spend a few thousand dollars. This is definitely not necessary though. You can get a fun, long-lasting playhouse your kids will love for barely over $150. The end cost will really be determined by the style and size of the playhouse you choose.
Playhouses are most commonly used by kids between the ages of 1 and 12. But let's be honest, adults have a blast playing with children in the playhouses too! They are a staple "toy” that everyone can enjoy and they'll entertain children for hours on end. Whether you have boys or girls, playhouses are one of the most fun purchases you'll ever make for your kids.
Most retailers allow you to return playhouses within 30 days if it is in new condition. However, you'll probably pay hefty shipping costs that might deter you from deciding to send the playhouse back. If it comes damaged or has missing parts, you'll be able to exchange it for a new playhouse at the expense of the company you purchased the playhouse from.
Playhouses are built to last for years! It's not uncommon for parents to buy a playhouse for their children and hang onto it for their grandchildren to use as well. As long as it is well taken care of, your playhouse will probably be around longer than you will, and the memories too! It's a purchase that will be worth the cost tenfold.
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Continued from above...

Some people like having an indoor playhouse while others prefer to have one outdoors. You could even choose to move your playhouse indoors and then outdoors as the weather changes, to switch things up throughout the seasons. Be sure to consider the type of materials your playhouse is made out of if you choose to do this, to ensure it can withstand the elements on rainy, windy, or snowy days.

For simplicity, you may choose to buy a pop-up type playhouse. This requires almost no assembly and could even be stored away as your kid gets older or for times when you need a little breathing room and want some of your space back for a while. Others are made of wood, which gives the playhouse a beautiful, classic look, but may require some repainting over the years, especially if left outside. Plastic materials are popular since they often are good for all types of weather and are easy to clean.

Consider the ages of the kids who will be using the playhouse. Do you want something with a tall tower or rock climbing wall and big slide to add a challenge to playtime? Or would you rather stick with a simple structure with a play table and sink that's safe and fun for all ages? Some have water tables connected, a sandbox, little shelves for displaying trinkets, or bridges connecting separate spaces. These are great additions for kids young and old.

These days you can get so many types of features included with a playhouse, even super-realistic ones that resemble a home with flower boxes, drapes, a mailbox, and a front porch. Think about how mobile you'll want the playhouse to be, who will be using it, and what types of weather it will be exposed to to help you start narrowing the hundreds of fun choices you're about to explore.

There are many places online that sell playhouses. Some are stores you may be familiar with while others are smaller, family brands that have a fun variety of products. So who do you choose? Consider these key areas when shopping for a playhouse:

  • Selection. Does the store have a variety of materials that their playhouses are made of? Do they have good size options that would cater to your indoor/outdoor areas? Are they mostly meant for toddlers? Or would big kids find these playhouses enjoyable as well?
  • Price. Depending on the size, features, and material of the playhouse, prices can range quite a bit. Find a retailer that offers you options on the low and high end to give you the best selection. We like when websites have filtering tools that let us set our budget so we aren't tempted to spend more than we should.
  • Delivery. How long does it take for the company to ship their playhouses? Are they made-to-order and require a lead time of weeks or months or are they ready to go? On top of the price of the playhouse, pay attention to how much the company might charge for delivery and see if it seems reasonable.
  • Reputation. What have other customers said about the quality of playhouses from the retailer? Do they hold up well over the years? Is their customer service responsive and easy to deal with if you're trying to track down a shipment or if your playhouse happens to come with missing pieces or some other issue? How are they with cancellations and returns?

The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched the best, most fun playhouses available online. We hope this information helps unlock your inner child and find something that your own children will love and spend years playing with!

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