Rhapsody Modern Playhouse from CedarWorks
It’s the last day of school here and so to me, summer beings tomorrow! While I’m obsessed with finding the perfect outdoor playhouse, I couldn’t help noticing this fantastic INDOOR playhouse from CedarWorks.
I’m slightly offended by their apologetic copy where they begin their description of the Rhapsody Modern Playhouse by saying, “Not everyone will like our Modern Playhouse…” Ooookay. Not everyone likes ANYTHING, even chocolate (gasp!), but that doesn’t make it any less awesome.
The Rhapsody Modern Playhouse is available for $795 plus $125-$195 shipping, depending on your location. Now if they would only adapt this modern style to their outdoor playsets, they’d have a customer in me, no matter what kind of description they wrote.
If you’re one who doesn’t like the modern playhouse, perhaps their Rhapsody Classic Playhouse is more your style (but then again, if that were the case you wouldn’t likely be reading this blog- heh). ($895 plus $125-$195)
I think this one is totally cute too.
The Wonderful World of Bildopolis
We’ve discussed cardboard playhouses before, but I’ve discovered something much, much better. The folks from bilopolis contacted me about their Big Bilder kit, and being a fan of temporary cardboard play structures, I had to give it a try.
Even though I was expecting the package, I was quite surprised when this large and lovely box with a nice plastic handle arrived at my doorstep.
My six year old had a friend over that afternoon so since the box said 6+, it was the perfect time to test it out. We opened the box up immediately.
Inside there were cardboard pieces in a variety of shapes (8 basic squares, 6 rectangles, 8 triangles and 4 special squares), a cloth bag filled with velcro dots and an instruction book. Basically, you just attach the cardboard shapes together using the velcro dots. The boys quickly flipped through the book and were ready to begin.
It was easy to get started, and with minimal direction from me, they got to building. As you can see, the velcro was sticking to socks, but they actually loved this because it helped them always have pieces nearby!
It didn’t take them long to get the hang of it, and by this point they were saying, “This is really fun actually!” (my son says “actually” a lot) and “We’re all working as a team!”
This was their first creation. It’s basically a little house for each of them connected by a tunnel!
Once it was done, they tore it town and got straight to work on creation #2… a tower.
You can see the height of the tower compared to the two boys. They are averaged sized 6 and 7 year-olds and the space inside the structures is plenty big for them. The doorways are a little tight so they’re not something an adult would be climbing into, but the kids are great with it.
With the Big Bilder kit you can create all kinds of different structures from this basic little house…
… to this compound that uses almost all of the pieces.
Take a look at the Bildopolis Bilding Gallery to see more customer creations!
What I love most about the Big Bilder Kit is the active, creative play that goes into building, as well as the imaginary play that takes place afterward. This is exactly what the best toys are all about. I love how easy it is to use as well as how simple it is to dismantle and put away. All you have to do to clean it all up is stack the cardboard pieces together by shape, drop all the velcro dots into the bag and pack them all back into the original box. Since the first day the package arrived, my boys have played with it several times, so I know it’s a hit!
The kit is really best for kids 6 and up because the kids are big enough to hold the pieces and put them together, and they can be careful enough not to bend and break the cardboard. If you have younger kids around (as I do), and they are careful (as he SOMETIMES is), they can enjoy playing in the houses once they’re done, but wouldn’t be able to do much building on their own. For $80 the Big Bilder is a great gift from parents, grandparents or best aunts and uncles for occasions like birthdays and the holidays.
If you haven’t taken my word for it yet, watch their video…
I was not compensated for this post, but bildopolis did sent me a Big Bilder Kit. My opinions are entirely my own.
Loki Playhouse with Furniture Set from Room & Board
Well, I’ve found the Modern Playhouse + Loll Designs collaboration! Meet the Loki Playhouse with Furniture Set from Room & Board. This is just what I’ve always wanted!… for my kids 
except I do wish it didn’t cost quite as much. The set sells for $1600 and comes in seven different colors.
They Posted These, So I Don’t Have To
These are some of my favorite posts from around the web over the past week. Lots of great stuff!
First, I’m sure you’ve seen this nursery. Love it. Have loved it for years. Well, guess what? The little girl who lived here, grew up, got a big girl bed and a baby brother
… and little brother has moved in and had the place redecorated. Take a peek at the tranformation of Paige’s nursery into Noah’s Nautical Nest on hellobee.
You KNOW I’ve been waiting for Modern Playhouse to come up with an outdoor design. Well, Gabrielle Blair got the heads up on this one and posted Modern Playhouse’s new Dacha Playhouse (coming February 15th!) on Babble’s Family Style. It’s made of 100% post consumer recycled plastic too! We so need one of these.
Mari of Small for Big says, “You need a little neon in your life,” and I believe her. I love the neon creations she shares from Sketch.Inc.
When I first saw pictures of the fold-flat Flux Chair, I started seriously considering these as extra dining seating in the house. I’d still love to have about a half a dozen of them, but now I’ll have to add a few Flux Junior Chairs to the wish list as well. Thanks to Bambino Goodies for the information.
Finally, Kid Crave put together a super fun and really useful Essential Guide to Raising A Hipster. Perfect!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Don’t forget to enter our Wallfry nursery art print giveaway as we’ll be picking the winner on Monday!
New Puzzle Playhouse from Modern Playhouse
Our favorite modern playhouse company, with the perfectly appropriate name, Modern Playhouse, has come out with a brand new design. The Puzzle Playhouse ($650) can be assembled without tools and then can be easily taken apart and stored in a closet or even under a bed. I love the concept since I’m pretty sure that most homes don’t have the space to keep a playhouse up full time– we don’t!
The Puzzle Furniture Set includes a fold up table and stools for $260, but if you order your Puzzle Playhouse before November 1st, 2011, you’ll get the furniture set for free!
I’m actually shocked that I never posted about their other playhouses before.
Take a look at the Circle Playhouse ($1300),
… and the Wedge Playhouse ($1100).
None of their playhouses are meant to be used outdoors, but that would be a great idea for their next design. I have a whole lot more room in the yard than I do in my house!
TrueModern Playhouse by Edgar Blazona
The new MD-20 TrueModern Playhouse by Edgar Blazona of Modular Dwellings is just the kind of thing I’ve been looking for, except that it’s only meant to be used indoors and I want one for the backyard. Not all of us are handy enough to design and build a playhouse from scratch.
MD-20 TrueModern Playhouse- $1350
For other modern playhouse options, here are a couple of great posts:
Modern Playhouses on Modern Mini Houses
Then and Now: Groovy Playhouses on Modern Kiddo
My 5 year old is already preparing to invite his friends to his new backyard clubhouse, which does not yet exist! He made three of these invitations today, one for each of his best male friends (apparently it’s “no girls allowed”).
