Recently in Playgrounds Category

I don't know about you but I am running out of room in my house for all the kids' stuff. And trust me, the entire house is their realm so it's not like I am limiting their toys to one tiny room. That's why I can appreciate this two-in-one see saw rocker AND table bench. This is easy to assemble (yes, of course it requires assembly, doesn't everything?) and flips around to transform it from one use to another. The plastic construction makes this versatile for outdoors and in. I have a wood work table that is now a big mess, I have to get it refinished to get all the stains and spills off. This you can just hose down in the garden and maybe give it a light scrub if you have encrusted peanut butter and Play-Doh everywhere. The price is easy as well, $99.95 at Sensational Beginnings.

Don't you wish there was a place you could take your kids where they could play, take classes, you can enjoy a good meal and get spa services done all at the same time? Sounds like Fantasy Island? This place is real, I went there and wished it was next door to my house. It is the Tree House Social Club in Los Angeles, started by 2 moms (of course), Jeannine Chanin and Tricia Leigh Fisher. The giant space has a tree house in the middle with dining tables to one side and class rooms and additional play areas on the other side. There is a manicure pedicure room, a private spa room for massages and facials, video game room, art room and a room for dance and music classes. They provide babysitting service for an additional fee so you can actually enjoy your spa services, otherwise, you just enjoy your lunch and coffee while your kids run around and play in the big play space, right where you can see them. I had lunch there and the food is excellent! It would have to be for this concept to work because the idea is that moms should enjoy the experience as much as their kids. Mommies meet there for lunch and enjoy real conversation - seriously! They also hold special events like slumber parties where they bring in local sample sales to entertain the moms while kids watch movies, make crafts as well as enjoy the visiting clown or magician. I am sorry to make everyone outside of LA jealous but I had to share this concept so that more of these will open in every neighborhood!! The open Play is $9 and memberships are available starting at $35. For more information visit The Tree House Social Club website.

One of our first reviews featured Daniels Wood Land Custom Treehouses for kids. If you didn't get a Daniels (because they started at $6K), we have found the next best thing...Kids Crooked House. I only wish I had a play house like this growing up. Mine was the typical wood construction with square windows and a door. It did have a custom paint job courtesy of my brother and me. Kids Crooked House custom playhouses are colorfully painted and whimsically designed for kids and those who are kids at heart. They are as entertaining to look at as the imaginary play that occurs inside. The unique handcrafted construction inspires everyone to stretch the imagination. The company is looking out for your kid’s best interests. They are armed with qualified corporate executives, the kids that inspired the construction of the first crooked house, two seven year olds whose titles are Theme Dreamer and Accessory Innovator and two two year olds who are the Quality and Safety Assurance.

Kids Crooked House offers a standard ($1949) or deluxe ($2549) version. You can also choose from one of their themes or create your own. Work with the creative team to design a playhouse for your child's interests. Their website claims, "If a kid can dream it, we can build it!"

Interested in a discount?! Occasionally, the company will have models used in trade shows for sale. Currently, some are available. Visit KidsCrookedHouse.com and scroll down on the home page.

Tea Party Tee Pee - $288

Sofa forts are so yesterday. Now, you don’t have to destroy the living room for your kids’ entertainment. Tee Pee for Me makes handcrafted, heirloom quality tee pees out of high quality drapery fabrics and durable PVC pipe. The finished product stands 5.5 feet tall, 5 feet wide at the base, and weighs only 9 lbs making it extremely portable. Collapse the tee pee to store it in any closet, under a bed, or just throw it in the car to head to grandmas. Even the most high maintenance princess will opt for these tee pees over the fairytale castle. There are 13 fantastic indoor fabrics ranging from Wild West to Tea Party complete with Marabou top. However, if your tee pee is headed outdoors, choose from five outdoor designs made from Sunbrella fabric. For those of you that don’t know about fabulous Sunbrella fabric, it is fade & mildew resistant, offers 98% UV protection, and cleans with a hose and bleach water. The best part is these tee pees come fully assembled. Yippee! I don’t even want to count the hours I have spent trying to decipher directions that look like hieroglyphics when putting together a new toy. And no toy is complete without the proper accessories. Customize your tee pee with a coordinating name plate, play mat, pillow, and tote bag. I know, I know the tote bag sounds a little odd, but it is sized to hold the play mat, pillow, and name plate. So, if you are like me…a little OCD when it comes to organization, this is a great way to keep it all together. Tee Pee for Me is “Made in the USA” from Atlanta, GA. Available at Tee Pee for Me.

La Jolla Lighthouse - $60,000

Every tot snob needs the most fabulous treehouse on the block. Daniels Wood Land makes custom treehouses themed to your toddlers wildest dreams. They offer a funky, fun twist to the traditional treehouse. If you are worried because you don't have trees in your backyard, no need. These treehouses come with their own tree! The base is made of recycled tree trunks saved from going to the papermill or the trees were dead or dying. Concerned for the environment, the company assures they do NOT cut down healthy trees just to meet demand. Back to the more important stuff, the sky is the limit when it comes to design! These aren't just tree houses, you can make it a playground by adding slides, swings, etc. They will even add electricity, cable, and internet capabilities if you so desire. The packages range from $6250 to $50,000 and up. The Original treehouse $6250 is tall enough for moms and dads to stand up straight with inches to spare. The company is based in California, but will ship anywhere in the world so there is no reason for your Snobulous Tot to miss out.