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Consult the Experts: Enlisting the Kids in the Design of their Playhouse

Petite Pentagon: The Dutch door was key to making to the sale of this playhouse.

"Does it Come in Chocolate?"

Designing a Playhouse With Your Kids

It's not easy being a kid in a grownup world. Everything's adult-sized and you're rarely allowed your own space. That's why kids love Summerwood playhouses so much. It's all theirs.

We at Summerwood suggest involving your kids in the design of their playhouse. And why not, they'll be the ones spending the most time in it. 

You might not want to let them pick the exterior colors though!

They're Your Consultants

When choosing a playhouse, treat your kids like the expert little "consultants" they are. You may be surprised what you learn. Others customers did and have great things to say about the process.

Maybe have your kids join you at our Custom Design Center. It's an intuitive "drag n drop" tool that they'll love fiddling with. (And if you're not totally comfortable with computers, chances are good they can show you how easy it is to do.)

"We talked it over with the kids," says Sharon B of Brampton ON. "Then we talked to Summerwood. They were very helpful and knew the product inside out. We showed the kids the design online. They 'approved' it."

Sharon kept the consulting to a minimum, however. After all, her girls are just 5 and 3, "and one more on the way in the a couple of months."

As soon as they have grandchildren Ginny and Ken are converting this Palmerston garden shed to a playhouse.

They Might Be More Interested in the Decoration Than Design

On the other hand, designing can get complicated. Online, it may seem a bit abstract for little people.

Lora A of Kansas City MO tells a similar story to Sharon's. "We did (consult them) I remember." She and her husband Tim showed their twin daughters pictures of Petite Pentagon models. The girls were just 4 at the time so the consultation wasn't highly technical but sure enough it did result in suggested improvements. "They wanted shutters and window boxes because it looked like a country cottage."

She recalls that during the design phase, "they were most struck by the Dutch door. We could use any structure we wanted, just as long as it had the Dutch door." It was a good thing she and her husband listened. Countless hours of creative play have revolved around the door. And as for the playhouse: "It's been a restaurant, a school, a house."

Jennifer and Brad S of Fredericktown OH also knew their daughters, at just 2 and 3, were too young to make that mental leap. "They were just so pleased to have something their own, that's their own size." And while the girls didn't consult on the design, "They did help out with the construction," Jennifer laughs. "They handed us nails."

But if the design isn't as vital, what about the decoration? Apparently this matters a lot. "I chose the paint but knew they wanted green, so yes they were involved. Now they're landscaping, planting sees around it. They're learning to be mistresses of their own little domain."

Decoration mattered to Lora's girls too. "Their involvement in the Summerwood aspects wasn't as great," recalls Lora. "But certainly they had input into the decorating of it. I painted the wall inside with chalkboard paint. It's still a big hit."

 

Petite Pentagon: Brad and Jennifer's daughters are involved in the landscaping around this playhouse. "It's teaches them a bit of responsibility," says Jennifer.

Make Envisioning the Final Structure Easier

Perhaps the challenge is for kids to translate thumbnail pictures into fully structures realized on their property. But Lizzie C of Fresno CA talked this through with her kids and found an exercise to make it more tangible for them.

The summer heat in Fresno, she says, is almost unbearable. Her kids were very concerned and questioned the placement of the playhouse in the yard. "They know where the shady spots are. 'Mommy, would it fit beneath the tree?' they asked. So we took sticks out there, measured them and placed them in a square. It turned out to be an educational experience. "

This is a great idea, and not just for kids. Summerwood suggests doing this for any structure you build on your property. Most adults also find it challenging to picture a finished structure in context.

Kids might find details like this abstract. Bring them outside, measure the space and lay sticks down, so they can experience the size.

And in the Future?

Involve your kids in the design of their playhouse because they're the ones who'll play in it but, sadly, only so long. Eventually they'll outgrow it. But Summerwood playhouses are of the highest quality. They outlast those precious years if not the memories. So think ahead.

Lora is in no hurry but is still prepared for this eventuality. Their Petite Pentagon playhouse can convert easily to serve another purpose later when the twins are bigger. "An adult can stand up inside. It can be a garden shed or a studio in the future. We might even install electricity ... We (already) have a vent in there to keep it bearable in the summer."

Same goes for Jennifer and Brad. "I'm an amateur gardener... it's how I express myself. It's good to know that when the girls outgrow the playhouse, it has gardening potential." Observing its quality, she adds nervously: "People say it'll still be there for your grandchildren but I can't think that far ahead."

Or you could go the other way around like Ken and Ginny in California. For now their Palmerston functions as a garden shed. "I like nurturing things," Ginny says. "Gardening's a joy." But her own kids are adults now and she's ready to nurture even more. "When grandchildren come along, we'll convert it to a playhouse."

But what if Ginny and Ken want to in consult the grandkids on the decisions? Well they could always redecorate!

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