outside playhouse for older dc (9yr)?

[chel]

any suggestions for an outside playhouse for my 9yr dd?

we have a really basic swingset already (2 swings and a small slide). Currently dd mostly plays on the neighbours nice swingset, but really just likes the "club house" on top (our swings are just as functional so she does use those a lot, though mostly when not playing with the neighbours). Since I'm going to have a small one soon, I'd just as soon keep the basic swing set and get something more specific for dd.

[staceychev]

My dad bought this one for my DD, who's four. It's definitely a good size--it says it's 5x7 inside, but it's also tall enough that DH and I (both 5'6) can stand up in it.

I have no idea how much it cost as it was a gift.

[Jenivere]

A do it yourself option. http://ordinarylifemagic.blogspot.co...playhouse.html

[1growingsprout]

Shes 9?? How much longer is she going to be in the "playhouse" stage?? Probably not that much longer... I wouldnt get something that costs $$.... i liked the link above with the handmade crafty type playhouse.

[chel]

Originally Posted by Jenivere

A do it yourself option. http://ordinarylifemagic.blogspot.co...playhouse.html

that looks really nice. I've thought about just getting a camping tent. We do camp a lot and I know how much she loves to play in them.

Originally Posted by 1growingsprout

Shes 9?? How much longer is she going to be in the "playhouse" stage?? Probably not that much longer... I wouldnt get something that costs $$.... i liked the link above with the handmade crafty type playhouse.

since I'm pregnant, I do have another little one coming that should make anything we get worth the money.

[aelf]

I've thought about building a little platform deck at the back of our yard. My daughter (6) could put a tent on it when she wanted. Or she could use it to stage plays. Or have tea parties. I thought that a playhouse might not grow with her or offer her as many options. But she enjoys playing in gazebos...

[ChetMC]

Playhouse

We built a playhouse sort of on stilts. It's nothing fancy. It's very much like the elevated landings with roofs that you see on large play structures. It's large enough that DH and I can sit in it comfortably though. The front is completely open and the sides just have rails, but it's cozy because of the trees that are around it.

It's actually a very nice place to sit outside. I can definitely see the kids using it until they're 10 or 12. The plan when the kids aren't using it anymore is to drop the floor down to ground level and fill in the sides with proper walls to make it into a small storage shed. It's attached to a sandbox that we'll turn into a planter when the kids stop using it as a sandbox.

I'll look as see if we've got a picture I can post.

[karne]

Originally Posted by 1growingsprout

Shes 9?? How much longer is she going to be in the "playhouse" stage?? Probably not that much longer... I wouldnt get something that costs $$.... i liked the link above with the handmade crafty type playhouse.

You would be surprised how long the playhouse, tree house, fort, stage can last. My oldest is 11 and she and her friends definitely like to play around in such places. Of course they also climb trees, swim in brooks, etc, so we definitely encourage this kind of unstructured play. I actually think it's really important not to discount how much kids can still enjoy this type of play as they get older.

At this age, if you're handy, building a fort together is a great project. Planning the structure, getting lumber, using tools and nails, painting, etc. is an amazing project and great family time.

My sister and her husband helped build a platform lean-to type shelter for their kids at around this age. It was a fort, a reading nook, a camping place, etc. for many years.