Looking for a garden playhouse or Wendy house? Here’s everything you should consider before buying
Outdoor play equipment, a wooden playhouse or a Wendy house is the perfect addition for your garden. It will provide your children with hours of fun and provide a space to grow their imaginations and let them experience adventures in their own back garden.
With so many options to choose from, knowing which playhouse is right for your garden and your children can be tricky to navigate. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the perfect Wendy house or play equipment for your garden to help you find something that will not only spark your children’s imagination, but provide you with a solution that’s long-lasting and will stay looking great for years to come.
Whether you’re looking for a compact Wendy house for a smaller garden or a large two-storey wooden playhouse that will grow with your children, we’ve compiled a complete guide to help you make the right choice.
Where are you going to put your playhouse?
Before you start browsing, have a look at the space you have available in your garden. Find somewhere with enough space for you to create a level base and where your playhouse will fit comfortably without crowding any patios or flower beds. Remember you’ll need space for opening doors and windows too.
Think about whether the spot you’ve chosen for your playhouse will be in the shade, sun or a mix of both throughout the day to help you choose the best place to keep your children protected.
Try to avoid damp areas in your garden as this can cause the wood to rot over time and you want your playhouse to last for as long as possible.
If you have a more compact garden, consider our small playhouses. These offer all the same fun as a larger playhouse without the bigger footprint.
What type of playhouse or outdoor play structure should you consider?
Once you know where to put your playhouse or Wendy house, you’ll need to think about the type of outdoor playhouse or play equipment that will fit your family’s needs.
Classic wooden playhouses or Wendy houses
Our wooden playhouses are everything you’d expect when you think of a traditional Wendy house. They usually feature a pitched or apex roof, windows and a door so children can create their own mini home for playing and relaxing.
Wooden playhouses offer a long-lasting solution for your garden and tend to be larger than plastic playhouses, so will grow with your children for years to come. Plastic playhouses are great for smaller children but are soon outgrown and, once UV rays fade the colour of the plastic, they tend to look weathered much faster than a wooden playhouse.
Take a look at our range of small wooden playhouses and large wooden playhouses to find the perfect option for your garden.
Two-storey playhouses
If you want to add something extra special, a two-storey wooden playhouse is the perfect addition. With an upstairs level for children to enjoy relaxing in or playing games, these playhouses provide years of fun and will evolve with your children as they grow, and as their interests change. They’re also the perfect option if you want to provide more play space without taking up more of your garden.
Our Lola playhouse (2.2 x 1.8m) is a two-storey playhouse that will provide your children with hours of fun.
Play towers
If you want something a little different, a play tower or tower playhouse is a great way to add extra adventure to your garden. If you’re looking for something that gets kids climbing, sliding and burning off energy, a wooden playtower is the perfect option. Play towers can have climbing ropes, swings and slides added so you can customise it to suit your children’s needs.
This option is a fantastic choice for children who want more physical outdoor play. You could even pair a play tower with a playhouse to provide your children with a mini adventure playground in their own garden.
Are the materials high-quality?
Choosing a playhouse that’s constructed using high-quality materials is essential for safety and ensuring that your playhouse is robust and will stand the test of time. When comparing wooden playhouses to plastic and other materials, timber stands out.
A wooden Wendy house provides a natural look that will blend into your garden and any existing features you have. If you buy an untreated playhouse, you can stain or paint it to suit your tastes. In addition, a wooden playhouse, when treated properly, will withstand the British weather year after year. Unlike plastic which can fade or crack over time, wood ages and can be easily freshened up with a new coat of paint.
Do you want any design features?
Choosing a playhouse that’s constructed using high-quality materials is essential for safety and ensuring that your playhouse is robust and will stand the test of time. When comparing wooden playhouses to plastic and other materials, timber stands out.
A wooden Wendy house provides a natural look that will blend into your garden and any existing features you have. If you buy an untreated playhouse, you can stain or paint it to suit your tastes. In addition, a wooden playhouse, when treated properly, will withstand the British weather year after year. Unlike plastic which can fade or crack over time, wood ages and can be easily freshened up with a new coat of paint.
Do you want any design features?
Windows: All playhouses have some form of window to allow light in and glazed windows allow light in while keeping bad weather out so your children can play outside whatever the weather.
Shutters: Shutters provide another way for your children to play make believe and make your playhouse even more homely and attractive. They also provide added protection when the Wendy house is not in use.
Verandas: A sheltered veranda at the front of the playhouse can make it feel more spacious and allows little ones to get fresh air even on rainier days. You can also use the space to store other toys when the playhouse is not in use.
Our Aladdin playhouse (1.8 x 1.2m) features an attractive veranda that provides shelter from the rain and shade from the sun while children are playing outside.
Slides, swings or climbing ropes: If you have a play tower, think about the added extras you’d like to add. Play accessories give your children freedom to explore, climb and play from the safety of their own back garden.
What finish would you like?
Think about how you want your playhouse to look. It can be left as plain wood, but we always recommend treating our wooden playhouses to protect them from the weather and ensure your investment lasts for many years. You can stain or paint your playhouse to suit your tastes if you buy an untreated playhouse. Or you could consider a pre-treated playhouse if you want the playhouse to be ready to use as soon as possible.
Installing and maintaining your playhouse
Most wooden playhouses are designed for straightforward and easy DIY assembly. At Tuin, all of our playhouses are designed with pre-cut panels and clear instructions and can be assembled using basic tools by two people.
Once installed, make sure you stain or paint it within a couple of weeks to keep it protected from the weather. Then, on an ongoing basis, you’ll just need to treat once a year and regularly check on your playhouse to look for signs of water damage or any other damage.
A long-term investment in play and your garden
A wooden playhouse or Wendy house is a long-term investment that will grow with your family and last for years to come. It’s the perfect place for children to play, escape and relax while adding a feature to your garden.
Ready to find the perfect playhouse?
Whether you’re looking for a cosy Wendy house for a small corner of your garden or a spacious timber playhouse for growing adventures, considering the factors outlined in this blog will help you choose something that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.
Explore our full range of outdoor play equipment and create a magical outdoor space your children can enjoy year after year.