Years ago we purchased the Little Tikes Country Cottage House for our daughter. This home became a backyard staple, successfully entertaining many children. It is one of the most durable toy purchases that we've made and by far one of the toys that has been most enjoyed. Children of all learning styles have enjoyed this home. I highly recommend this and other Little Tikes playhouses.

DETAILS
At the time of purchase, I was drawn to this house because I adored the styling. In my view it was a marvelous replica of a country home, with the rooflines that depict shingles, the slanted siding, and fine attention to detail on the door and window shutters… I just knew that it would be a prop for many happy play moments! My husband was impressed with the composition of the unit. Both of us had been impressed with previous Little Tikes purchases, cinching the decision to purchase this home.

My daughters enjoyed many play sessions in this home. They have entertained dolls, stuffed animals, cats, and numerous friends. Although they basically outgrew the home, it continued to be enjoyed by other children. I operate an in-home daycare/preschool. Within our backyard I have a fenced area that is intended for play by children infant through approximately five-years-old. This allows the older children to 'play rough' in the main portion of the yard, while the youngest have a 'safe zone' that is free of the flying Frisbees and other items. I honestly can't imagine this area without a playhouse.

I adore toys that inspire creative play. The Little Tikes Country Cottage House served this purpose well, entertaining many. The door on this structure has a white knob that is easy for children to grasp and open, but many prefer to open it via the window pane cutouts. The window shutters are also easy to open and close, and the windows often become an additional door *grin*. The children like to play peek-a-boo through the window pane cutouts, and via the windows.

Open and Close, Open and Close go the window shutters, over and over.... "Peek-a-BOO"!

Inside this house has a sink, a stovetop, and a small corner table. There is a phone cradle just about the table, and the home included a typical Little Tikes phone. This is a portable phone, meaning there aren't cords to worry about choking hazards, but also equating to a misplacement challenge. However, all Little Tikes phones fit this cradle, leaving options for replacement. The kids adored cooking pretend meals, chatting on the phone with family and friends, washing up pretend produce, torturing bugs in the sink, and entertaining guests.

"What's for Dinner?"

A challenge with this home is that the window shutters close, allowing the occupants to hide inside. When watching daycare kiddies, this doesn't offer the best visibility. Another noteworthy mention is that kids like to use the windows as a door, usually landing headfirst upon exit. But regardless of these mentions I adore this playhouse and am thankful that we purchased it. The smiles and giggles have far surpassed any challenges.

The bottom edges of this home will kill off the grass, if it is not frequently moved (understandable considering the weight of the structure. We decided on a 'permanent' spot for the Little Tikes Country Cottage House, and my husband put it over a painted plywood floor. This worked exceptionally well. The Little Tikes Country Cottage House has withstood rain, hail, snow, sun, earthquakes and other weather elements. It has faded over the years and labels have worn off of the stove, but considering that it is outside 365 days a year, I don't fault the toy.

Recommended age for play is 2 - 6 years, but children as young as 1 and older than 6 enjoy the home. This toy is easy to clean, soap and a hose, or as my hubby does – a pressure washer. This home was originally available in a pastel scheme, offering primary colors of pastel yellow, pale blue, pink, and pastel mint. Later it was manufactured in other color schemes. Regardless the engineering remained the same.

Remembering back, the initial assembly -oh yes there was assembly required- was slightly cumbersome, but my husband has always enjoyed assembling the multiplicity of toys that have arrived. Since the original assembly, the Little Tikes Country Cottage House has been moved numerous times (on the same property). My husband and I open a shutter, pick it up and move it to the desired spot.

Recently this house experienced an address change; it is now located at a shared RV/Camping recreation spot. I replaced this house with the Little Tikes Patio Playhouse. The primary reason for this decision is that, for daycare purpose, I liked the openness of the Patio Playhouse, but the Country Cottage House continues to entertain many at its new location!

Although the Country Cottage House isn't currently in the Little Tikes retail offering, you can readily find the ImagineSounds Interactive Playhouse, the Magic Doorbell Playhouse, or the Patio Playhouse. And there is a possibility that you can find the Little Tikes Country Cottage House second-hand, at places such as eBay.





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Thanks for reading and Happy Playing!

©2003 Lisa_J


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 175.00
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years