Do you ever feel as though you are reliving your childhood dreams through your children?
I certainly am.
When I was little I can remember my mum pegging two sheets to the washing line and pulling them outwards in order to form a makeshift playhouse for us to play in. With the pillows and duvets from our beds providing me with comfort as I played with my dolls.
I can’t remember whether it was a gift for me or something that had been bought for my older sister, but we eventually had a wendy house. One of the ones where you had the white poles to slot together and a fabric tent to go over the top. This was a marked improvement on the sheets pegged to the washing line. However, somehow the back of the wendy house ripped and we ended up with a front and rear door to it. Needless to say, it didn’t last long after that.
It’s such silly things to remember from my childhood, however, something I have always wanted to give my children is a wooden playhouse. One that would be played in throughout their childhood and one that they would recall when they are older. After years of not having a garden to house a playhouse, last year we moved home and finally have a garden to call our own. Whilst a trampoline was one of the first things we added for them, I still longed for a playhouse for them to enjoy.
Crooked Mansion Wooden Playhouse
Having long admired the wooden playhouse selection from Big Game Hunters, I can’t tell you how excited I was when I was told that I could review one of them. Keeping it a surprise from the older two children was difficult, especially when the delivery arrived. However, they had no idea what design was hidden in the flat-pack boxes – having selected the Crooked Mansion Wooden Playhouse.
Whilst we had been hoping for good weather to put the playhouse up, unfortunately, the British summer decided to showcase its love for rain. After over a week of having the boxes sitting in the garage waiting to be unpackaged and assembled we were finally able to start construction. Although Mr. Boo is more than capable of completing a flat-pack unaided, Roo decided that he might need a little assistance – possibly more to do with wanting the first go in the playhouse
Crooked Mansion Wooden Playhouse // Assembly
The Crooked Mansion Wooden Playhouse comes flat packed with an optional extra of a wooden floor that fits inside the playhouse. The large boxes housed all the wooden boards, accessories, screws and attachments required to build the playhouse. Complete with a detailed instruction guide, the playhouse does require two people to assemble due to needing to hold sections together whilst the other screws together. Taking just over an hour to build (probably less if you don’t have a 10-year-old helping).
Crooked Mansion Wooden Playhouse // The Little Details
On other styles of playhouses, I have seen the accessories and little details included are plastic. Which even that the playhouse itself is wooden, makes them look a little out of place. Not on the crooked mansion, all the accessories and details are wooden (apart from the Garden Games logo).
Aside from the main detailing such as the windows and door, the crooked mansion has a lot more to offer. From window boxes that you could line with a waterproof membrane and add your own plants. To the post box by the front door to house any messages, mail, and parcels that might be delivered through imaginative play. Not forgetting the chalkboard plaque above the door so that you can name or number the playhouse. Alongside these features, you have the chimney stack that turns the playhouse from looking like a posh shed to a mini home. Not forgetting the slated roof to look like roof tiles.
Crooked Mansion Wooden Playhouse // Let the fun begin…
When it came to adding a playhouse to our garden, I did wonder whether it would become Piglet’s domain. With Roo and Tigger a little bit older, I wasn’t sure whether they would see the benefits of having a little space in the garden that they could let their imagination run wild in. How wrong was I? I can’t keep the two of them out of it. The generous size inside of the crooked mansion allows for all three children to happily sit inside and play together. The magnet catches on the windows and door make it easy for them to open and close them. Plus they enable them to stay closed when not in use to save the local cat population moving in and taking up residence.
The generous size inside of the crooked mansion allows for all three children to happily sit inside and play together. The magnet catches on the windows and door make it easy for them to open and close them. Plus they enable them to stay closed when not in use to save the local cat population moving in and taking up residence.
Currently, the children have added their bean bags inside of the playhouse and will take games, colouring and activities in as required. Although I’m looking at different ways to decorate the playhouse, maybe refreshing the layout every few months to keep it fresh and exciting for them.
Crooked Mansion Wooden Playhouse // Where Can I Buy One?
The Crooked Mansion Wooden Playhouse is available from Big Game Hunters, with an added option of a wooden floor to include inside (highly recommended).
Disclosure: We received a Crooked Mansion Wooden Playhouse FOC for the purpose of review
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