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Children's Play Houses and the History of the Wendy House
Wendy houses, also known as 'cubby' houses and play houses, are small toy houses usually the size of a garden shed.
The name 'Wendy' House came from J.M. Barrie's play 'Peter Pan'. When Wendy arrived in Neverland she was injured so Peter Pan and the lost boys built a small house around here where she had fallen where she lived until she was better, hence the name 'Wendy House'.
J.M. Barrie is from Kirriemuir in Scotland and his childhood house is open to the public and visitors can step into the rooms where he spent his childhood and even go into the small wash room that is said to be the inspiration for his Wendy House in Peter Pan.
However, long before the name Wendy house was penned, kids were building dens and camps using blankets and chairs and anything else they could find so J.M. Barrie certainly didn't invent the children's play house.
These days Wendy Houses are usually found in gardens and kids can 'play house' and have their own private space where most often, 'grown ups' aren't allowed.
In Australia, Wendy Houses are called Cubby Houses or 'Cubbies' and were historically built by kids in secret and out of the way places, like woods and fields and became a camp where kids would hang out during the weekends and school holidays.
Play houses can also be found in trees and it's not only children who enjoy these buildings. Elaborate tree houses are often built by adults and now you can even stay in 'Eco hotels' or lodges which are completely built in the treetops with wooden walkways between the trees and ladders to climb up into your room.
Over the years play houses have evolved and got cheaper and easier to build and also safer in their design. You can now buy ready-made play houses or kits for you to build yourself. They come in various types of wood, plastic, you can buy a plain house with 4 walls a roof and a window and a door or you can buy a complete replica or a famous building. You can now buy a cross between a play house and a climbing frame with slides coming out of the windows and various play things scattered throughout. Many famous buildings also have replicas in their grounds for kids to explore.
Play houses give kids the ability to practice interacting with a home but at their own scale. It is often frustrating for children who often have to stand on a chair to be able to see over kitchen surfaces, get lifted up to reach a plate or cup and rarely have anything at their own level. A Wendy house is built especially for little people and can give them the opportunity to have everything at their level.
So, if you have the money, or more importantly the space, why not buy your child a playhouse? With loads of different types to choose from there is bound to be one that suits your needs.
About the Author John McE writes articles on a number of subjects including various types of garages, sheds and playhouses. For more information about playhouses and wendy houses see http://www.jacksonsgardensupplies.co.uk
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