Plastic or wooden?

[primula]

I need to buy a new playhouse and I was wondering what other childminders thoughts are, as i can't decide? I have had a wooden one before and I really like the look of them but it became damp and it was difficult to clean. Any advice would be welcome!

[Nick22]

Our little tykes plastic one was bought for my daughter's first birthday - 16 years ago now - still going strong and looking good - tbh I wud love a wooden cottage one as I do prefer natural materials but if you want trouble free, easy clean and cost effective - plastic is the way.

[alwaysright]

i have a little tykes log cabin (plastic) had it for about 8 years now and its still in great condition and its left outside uncovered all year around, gets hosed down every now and again to keep it clean, i think a wooden one would have taken a lot more maintenance and i would be worried about splinters

[CH1957]

Ive just brought a wooden one, very good price online. Ofsted seem to like natural materials more and I was worried plastic can go brittle and splinter in sun and frost if left outside.

[irislili]

Plastic - we had a wooden one in our garden and the kids kept getting splinters from it

[Polly2]

I love my wooden one - I am trying to reduce the amount of plastic I have

[primula]

Thanks guys! Just happened to go to B&Q today for an ariel! and guess what i got hubby to put a playhouse in the trolley too! Went for the plastic in the end like the idea of being able to hose it down!
I do have to say that you would be hard pressed to fit a child over 3 in it though, it is on the small side.

[clareelizabeth1]

I use a little tykes plastic one my mum borght 20 years ago when she was a childminder it has gone through loads of children and is still going sting even has all the origional stickers on it.