The Step2 Company Step 2 Naturally Playful Countryside Cottage - 815700

Looking for an outdoor toy that will provide years of bang for the buck? Step2 Naturally Playful Countryside Cottage makes a great investment for parents of toddlers or preschoolers who love spending time outdoors.

The Basics
I was committed to purchasing a playhouse for my two year-old this summer and spent a great deal of time researching options. Once I overcame my sticker shock (these toys range from around $140 to over $500!!!), I settled on the Naturally Playful Countryside Cottage.

At a sale price of $250 (the regular price is in the low $300s), this toy lacked some of the bells and whistles of more expensive models but seemed to give a lot of “bang for the buck” in terms of height and indoor floor space. The height was a particular priority for me since for this type of money, I wanted to be sure my daughter would be able to comfortably use the playhouse for more than one summer. According to Step2.com, the interior of the Naturally Playful playhouse is 54” tall, meaning virtually all toddlers and preschoolers should be able to stand comfortably inside.

Like most playhouses of its type, the Countryside Cottage is made of sturdy plastic. It has four walls and a roof but no floor. There are a few interactive parts like a swinging door, mail slot, detachable cordless phone and a doorbell that requires AAA batteries. Some assembly is required, however ours was completely put together, including stickers, in less than an hour.

Our Experience
I’m thrilled with my purchase of the Naturally Playful Countryside Cottage. Our family has spent many happy hours in the back yard this summer enjoying this toy. The playhouse has enough space for a couple of plastic chairs (purchased separately) and a few kids. As far as aesthetics go, the Countryside Cottage’s modern design and relatively neutral color palate prevent it from being an eyesore. It actually looks great next to our Little Tikes Endless Adventures Climb and Slide Castle. The playhouse is completely gender neutral in design and color scheme.

While other more expensive playhouses may offer more “special effects,” I actually prefer the comparatively minimalist approach of this cottage as it seems to encourage imaginative play. We actually haven’t even put batteries in the doorbell yet but they don’t seem to be missed – our daughter just adds the “ding dong” sound effect herself! Pieces from other sets – like plastic food to wash in the “sink,” or dolls/action figures to live in the house – can easily be incorporated into your child’s play. Some plastic envelopes we have from a different play set fit perfectly through the mail slot.

Our Countryside Cottage is new to us this season but so far it seems to be aging well. It’s easy to clean or to wipe down after a rain. I’ve not noticed any accumulation of mold or debris with one exception – the incredibly poorly designed planter/bird bath.  Not only does this feature not include any sort of drain, but a small area is indented to ensure it can’t be wiped completely clean of water. Our family solved this problem by drilling a small drainage hole to release moisture. I see on their website that Step2 has advised at least one complaining customer to do the same.  Hopefully future versions of this product will come with some sort of built-in drainage mechanism.

Overall . . .
I can’t say enough good things about the Countryside Cottage. This is a high quality toy with a long lifespan and lots of play value. I look forward to enjoying it with our daughter and any future children for years to come.

Recommend this product? Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 250ish