Playhouses

How to Winterize Your Playhouse

Backyard Discovery Winterize
With winter getting underway, finding ways to entertain the kids can become more difficult, and their beloved playhouse often stands empty throughout the colder months. But did you know that with only a few simple steps, you can extend the use of your playhouse and make it a safe space for your kids to play in, even when the temperature drops a little lower? In this guide, we take a look at the different ways you can winterize your playhouse

1. Prevent heat loss with window film 

A super handy trick that will keep the warmth inside the playhouse is to cover the windows with an insulating film. Virtually invisible and crafted from plastic, the film won’t alter the look of the playhouse, but creates a transparent heat-insulating air cushion that also acts as an extra moisture barrier. This means anything inside the playhouse will be further protected from damp and mold. 

Incredibly effective in the winter months, the film is also useful throughout summer, protecting the inside of the playhouse from the sun’s rays and also acting as a barrier against the hotter outside air. 

Most window films are incredibly easy to apply and come with self-adhesive or sticky-back tape, but you can find a handy ‘how-to’ guide here

 

2. Fill any holes or gaps to block drafts 

If you have a beautiful wooden playhouse, you might find that the wood has warped or constricted with the changing temperatures, and might be letting in some drafts. You can easily fill these with either caulk or foam from your local hardware store. By taking this simple measure, you will not only be protecting your little ones from harsh winter winds, but you’ll also be ensuring that no unwanted visitors can crawl inside the playhouse and call it home for the winter! 

 

Did you know? Each one of our wooden playhouses is constructed from 100% lab-tested cedar, to ensure a tight-knot structure less likely to develop small cracks. 

 

Another way of blocking out any unwanted drafts is by making a DIY draft stopper. A quick and simple activity, this one is perfect for getting your kids involved. Let them choose the fabric, fill some ziploc bags with sand and sew the fabric into a little sleeve to go around the ziploc. 

 

3. Prepare your playhouse for winter 

If you want to ensure that your playhouse will stand the test of time, it’s important to make sure it’s in good shape before the harsher weather sets in. With plastic playhouses, water can sometimes creep in through the seams and sit at the bottom of the structure, becoming stagnant over time and making it difficult to move. You can solve this super fast by drilling holes in the bottom of the structure so that it can drain regularly.

 

4. Add festive throws and blankets 

Once you’ve ensured that no draughts are getting in, you might want to spend some time with your kids redecorating the inside of their playhouse. Fire up their imaginations by turning it into a cosy ski chalet with blankets and cups for pretend hot chocolates, or instead create a homely book nook where they can curl up amongst throws and pillows for storytime. 

 

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