Playhouse Reviews

I got this playhouse for a smoking deal on eBay in new condition, but it is well worth the retail price and even more. We got it for my girls' 4th and 1st birthdays and nearly a year later they still absolutely love it. My almost 5 year old is very tall- has always been in the 100th percentile- and she can still stand up in the playhouse with no problem. They love the kitchen (the fact that it had a kitchen was a huge plus for me- I had wanted them to have a kitchen set too and with this they get both) and eat frequently at the table. They like putting their dolls in the highchair (although sometimes my 1 year old likes trying to "sit" in it herself and gets stuck!) and just love the mailbox and telephone. I love the openness of it- I can always keep a very close eye on them even if I'm in the kitchen or the other side of the yard gardening. We really like being able to open or close the table area too. That makes it really easy to keep the playhouse on the lawn and mow around and inside it, and the grass still grows and is a nice soft surface for the inside of the house. It's difficult to move but can be done, and is something we do occasionally to mow the grass inside really well and at the edges, and to aerate or dethatch the yard. It is *extremely* sturdy and looks brand new despite being used when we bought it and having had it a year. Sometimes I catch my almost 5 year old climbing on the roof and the playhouse doesn't even notice (*I* could probably sit on the roof and it wouldn't be a problem!). We love the window boxes too- my oldest daughter wants to plant real flowers in it but I think we'll "plant" some silk ones with a toddler around! The interior of the playhouse is very roomy- roomy enough for both of my daughters to play inside at the same time with no problem, or even move extra chairs or toys into it, and it's roomy enough for an adult to play along easily when the side is opened. There are so many toys and things for the kids that we've bought over the years that they played with a few times and then they just clutter up the house/yard but this is definitely not one of those toys. This was well worth every penny spent on it, and much more. We have another little girl on the way and I know this playhouse will stand up for many more years of use with no problem- it is Little Tikes after all!

I purchased this playhouse for my 2 daughters ages 10 months & 8 years. I keep this playhouse inside in their play room. The 10 month old loves it! She climbs on the chair & looks out the window & laughs at us, then she runs to the door & plays peek a boo! My 8 year old also loves it! I am glad they finally made a PINK Playhouse for Girls! This Playhouse is Beautiful & worth the price! Your children will get alot of enjoyment from it. Little Tykes also is very durable! My 8 year old's Little Tykes Country Cottage Playhouse is still outside on our patio & is in Great Condition!

My husband and I bought this playhouse for my daughter for her third birthday. She had seen it in the store and said she would love to play house in it. So, we bought it for her. It was simple to put together it took me and my husband about 25 minutes to do it. And when she finally got to play in it she played for hours. She took her 2 most favorite dolls and played in it until it was time for her to come in and have dinner. Then she wanted to go back out and play more until dinner. I was a little worried that she would get sick of it but she hasnt yet and it has been alomost a year now. The playhouse is very durable in the snow it was fine in the rain it was fine. We left it out there all year long and it still looks like new. And my daughter still playes with it almost daily. She can have 2 friends over and they all play in it together. It really is one of the best toys we have ever bought her. And it is well worth the money u pay for it.

I was skeptical because of the price, but my 2 1/2 year old and all of her same age friends spend a countless amount of time in here. They read, play with toys and I sometimes put a little table and chairs in for supervised snacks. I recommend this highly if you have the indoor room to spare. Folds and reshapes nicely.

My kids love this playhut. Not only do they use it to play "house," but we also take it camping with us. It has been very durable......but I CAN'T GET IT TO FOLD DOWN. I have tried the directions listed on this site, I have surfed all over the web(...). I still cannot get this thing to twist into 3 circles. I would say that this was still worth the money, and I would buy it again even if it doesn't fold down. (...)

This thing is the greatest. I bought this for my 18 month old girl. She absoultly loves it. Like everyone else said, it is quite large ~10' X ~5'. Although we have not used it outside yet, we will be. As for as folding it I wont lie, it took me almost 30 minutes to figure it out. Here's how I did it:

--Stand at the top of the house.
--Grab the Bottom of the house, one hand near (not at) each corner.
--Fold it down until shape resembles a "C".
--Continue until the top and the bottom almost touch each other.
--Now here the tricky part, slide your hands toward the middle and move the bottom metal rod inward toward the middle of the house.
--The sides will start to fold up and to the center.
--Once the the middle rod is in the center of the house.
--Grab the sides and fold them down one on top of the other.

The company's support phone number is posted on their web site if you need further assistance.

http://www.playhut.com/support.php

I didn't think that kids would actually like this. It seemed like such a stupid toy.

Yet I took my kids to playgroup and a group of 10 3 and 4 year olds spent over and hour crawling through it. (I think they were playing rescue mission or something). Then they kept asking for it every day after that! Go figure.

My daughter is 1yrs old and this is her absolutely favorite toy! She spends endless hours day in and day out in it. Her 7yr old Aunt plays with her in it everytime she comes over too. It folds up and expands with in seconds. It really is a MUST HAVE toy for any toddler!! We are even buying a second tunnel to attach them together for her 2nd birthday. My advice: "Just buy it"!

My kids ages 2 1/2 and 18 months LOVE this tunnel. We got it for the kids for Christmas and keep it put away and bring it out about 3X a week in the evenings when we have had a slow day and the kids didn't get any energy out. They go CRAZY, they play and run and scream and crack up! My husband drags them through the house super fast and they sit in it and laugh their butts off. You can play peek a boo, or roll balls through it, the possibilities are endless!

It's by far the BEST gift. The kids don't fight over it, no one gets hurt, it doesn't break, it's SO cool ! It folds in no time and folds so small, it doesn't take up any room. BUY THIS!!!

After an extensive research of outdoor toys, I have decided that this house would be a nice addition to our backyard. (...) Needless to say, I was thrilled to come across one at a garage sale.

I would like to share with those considering buying it, that this playhouse has been one of the best toys we have purchased for our kids (5 and 1 y. o.) Some of the things to consider:
1. It is extremely durable. The house I have purchased is several years old and none of the colors had faded except for the Step2 red square logo. There are no cracks, broken parts, or major scratches. The only thing I had to do with it is to wash it and reattach some of the stickers that had started to peel.
2. It is HUGE. I am 5'7 and can easily fit in the house. I do have to sit down inside, but there is still plenty room left for my kids, their "babies" and strollers, as well as a play shopping cart.
3. It is sturdy. Our 7-month, 70 lbs German Sheppard pup has been testing the house by stepping on the table and jumping in and out of the windows. The house stands up great to all this abuse.
4. It is fun. Our kids have spent HOURS at a time playing in it. It encourages their imaginations and development of language skills.
5. It encourages outside play. Did I mention that our kids now play outside even when it rains? The playhouse makes a perfect shelter for those days when it just "drizzles" outside.
6. You will be able to return at least some of the $$ when your kids outgrow it. As I mentioned earlier, the house is extremely durable and much sought after at garage sales.
7. It is easy to move. It took me about 15 minutes to disassemble the house and another 15 to put it back together.

Overall, it is a great toy and our kids enjoy playing in it daily.

We bought the playhouse for our daughters, then 5 and 3. The house was big enough for both of them plus a few friends. In comparing expensive wooden houses, little tykes and step 2. The decision was easy. This house is larger than others, was very little maintenance and blended great in our yard. The house traveled with us to another state and held up great through the move. The girls enjoyed the house for many, many years. Every spring we power washed the house and it looked as good as the day we bought it. Unfortunalty my kids now 13 & 11 outgrew the house. But, through these past 9-10 years,the play house has not aged at all. In fact, we gave it to a neighbor last year and her preshoolers are now enjoying this very house that it still on the market today. Good job step 2

We bought the Welcome Home Playhouse when my daughters were 2 and 1 years old and as soon as their baby brother is able to, will be sharing it with him as well. There is plenty of room for all 3 plus their friends to play inside this house - it's huge. There is a built in sink and cupboard, shelves, a table that can be folded down, a clock with hands that turn and a phone that makes lots of different sounds.
The window shutters and doors are easily opened and closed by the youngest of toddlers and my eldest daughter (now 3.5 years) has taken to climbing in and out of the windows! My other daugther likes to stand in the sink and sit on the table. All of this and it still looks brand new.

My husband and I have to bend down to get through the door but we are able to stand up inside. It is a big playhouse - I wouldn't recommend it for inside unless you have a HUGE playroom ... it takes up quite a bit of room.

As it is permanently outside ours has faded a little with our harsh Australian sun but that will happen with anything you leave outside. It shows no sign of deterioration despite being left in all kinds of weather (we don't have snow where we live)and sits easily on concrete, grass or paving.

The assembly instructions are detailed and recommend that there be two people to work together. We found it quite easy and it was up in about 20 minutes the first time. I say the first time because since we have bought it we've moved house 3 times (1 time to a new city). Pulling it down and re-assembling it has never been a problem and we are much quicker at it now. It's really easy to keep clean - being outside, it will get dirty and get the odd spider or two but we find a sweep down inside and out each week and a warm soapy wash and rinse every other week keeps it in good condition.

As with any playhouse big or small the kids have an amazing time playing everything - tea parties, hide and seek games, you name it- they play it. They are only limited by their imagination.

The reason we bought this plastic house over a wooden one was for its portability (we move house often with my husbands job), it's durablity, how easy it is to keep clean and the fact that many children can fit inside at once.

This was a HUGE purchase for us (especially in Australian $$)- but I've not regretted it. We've already got our moneys worth many times over in it's ease of moving it from one home to the next and, more importantly, the amount of enjoyment and fun my children and their friends have already had with it.

(...). it is the greatest for my one year old. even my black labrador loves going in and out of it and even laying inside right besides my son. it is not too big and not too small. it is just the right size. it does not take 30 minutes to put together. i did it all myself in only 10 or 12 minutes. i did not even need my husband to help. the only thing i would change about it is that the roof is not entirely covered. we have to put it under a tree for shade. other than that it is great.

I got very frustrated at first trying to put this together. It took me an hour to get 3 screws in. My husband came home and we finished it up together but it took a very strong person to force the rest of the screws in because it has crooked sides due to it being a ship. I had to hold my weight up against it while he beared down just to get the plastic screws in the holes. It was very frustrating and took way more than 30 minutes. I'm glad we bought it. My children love it!

this is by far the easiest little tikes product to assemble. the instructions say 30 minute assembly and anyone can easily do it in half that time. the kids ages 3 and 4 really enjoy the telescope and the steering wheel. seems to be very sturdy and something that should give years of fun.

I have a same climber just without the swings.
I've had this for a few years. Weather will
play havic on this toy. We'll be cleaning this
toy soon. My friend Dixie likes climbers.
Overall a great climber! A++++!

This is our second Step 2 playhouse climber. Extremly well made and durable, hours of fun for toddlers and older. Setup is possible with only one person, however, if you have a helper and a socket wrench(highly reccomended) setup should take 2 hours.

Our kids 1 and 2.5 love this set, they can spend all day on the swings.

I really llike this swing set. Because the swings hold 100 pounds each, the kids will be able to use it for a long time. The only thing I was disappointed about is that the deck isn't very big. It holds 250 pounds, but it's not that big. And the entry from the steps to the deck is small. My 3 year old has hit her head on the cross bar when standing on the deck. But, she's figured it out. It hasn't stopped her!! She loves it. I am glad the set comes with stakes to secure it. It will rock when not staked down. I would highly recommend this play set!

My daughter got this for 2. birtsday and she has always great fun using it together with the crawl n play house. We use it in the living room or outside and always its stored or changed in a matter of seconds. If she is playing with friends they are even sitting on it and falling over it, its so flexible that it doesn't hurt. Playing with friends she has big action going through the tunnel with them.

Like the first reviewer, I bought this tunnel for my dog. We are building an agility course for her. When I opened the package, the tunnel was bundled up with its stor-away ties, and when I untied the straps it just popped into place! That easy! I was suprised at how durable the material was and the metal wire that give it shape. I think this will last a long time. One thing I will warn, it was a little smaller than I thought it would be. Read the dimensions carefully, and make sure your child OR dog isnt too big for it! If my dog were two more inches high she wouldnt fit...and she is a 50lb australian shepherd. However, it is great for her!! I'm sure kids would love this too. Maybe I'll still have this when I finally have kids of my own!

I got this tunnel for my dog and she just loves it. I use it for practicing agility. But, she is also having fun running through the tunnel while play ball. If it's durable for a dog, then it would be great for children. I give it a A++++ all the way.

I bought this for my 5 year old and 9 month old daughters. There was a hole in one of the seams when we got it. They are enjoying it very much, but it won't last long with a hole in it!

I purchased this for my 5 year old and 9 month old daughters. One of the seams was already ripped when we got it. They are enjoying it very much, but it isn't durable.

We got this for our daughter when she was 16 months. I purchased it on sale at the store and saved $50. It stayed in our living room for two weeks as she loved it so much! My husband put it together and really the only difficulty he had with putting the screws in was that you need to get inside the house to do it and it's a wierd angle. Even with that it still took less than a half hour to put together. If you are putting it together inside make sure you have a door wide enough for it to fit through. We assumed it would fit through our slider and when we moved it out it was just a hair to wide with the roof on. So we had to take the screws back out. Still not really a problem and more our fault than anything. My nephews (3 and 6) have come over to play and also had a ball with the house. I'm glad we purchased it when she was small so that she'll get several years of use from it. It is very sturdy so I have no worries that it won't last for her and any other children we may have. It has a cute little kitchen inside and the doorbell makes quite a few different sounds. I see no reason to spend $300 or more on a house when this one is just as fun and durable and as I said you can get it for $99 on sale at the store. I only gave it four stars for educational because for older kids it probably isn't but the little ones can practice opening and closing the door and shutters and pushing the doorbell. It really isn't the type of toy you'd purchase for educational purposes. Overall it's a great product. One of the few toys we have that I don't feel was a waste of money.

My original review for this house was on Dec. 23, 2002. It's still in our living room and our almost 4 1/2 and 3 1/2 boys still love playing with it. Probably this Summer we'll finally put it outside! Anyway, I'm writting to let folks know that there ISN'T susposed to be any pre-drilled holes for the screws. The idea is for the insertion of the screws to bore their own "hole" into the plastic. This makes the installation more tight and secure. Yes, of course you're going to need an electric screwdriver! It really isn't that difficult to get the screws in with the electric screwdriver. Drilling holes first to enable "easier" screw insertion may very well leave you with a loose and wobbly house once together if you make the holes even a bit too large. Hope this is helpful for you.

My 20 month old loves it. Only one thing you should know before you start putting it together, you really need a cordless screw driver. You can do it without one, but it won't be any fun.

Great imagination and play potential. It was fun while it lasted. Unfortunately, we played with this outside. With the hot sun, it faded and the supports warped in about 3 weeks beyond repair. I have a 4 year, petite daughter who is not a rough & tumble kind of kid and it was trashed! A MAJOR disappointment.

My kids all love this castle! They also play in tents and a little tikes house - but this different. They are getting a lot of use out of it - and have been quite imaginative with it . . . somtimes I find it in the strangest positions. I have to say, surprisingly, it's holding up just great!

our two year old loves this and unlike so many other hideous toddler items, this is tolerable looking. the toy encourages imaginary play and is worth the money. really great item.