20 Sep When’s the best time to get a cubby house?

Now!

Perhaps we should go into a bit more detail?

We do get asked: “what’s the best age to get the kids a cubby?”, and our answer is: “it’s never too early”.

Once a child starts playing in a cubby – even if they still need constant supervision – their physical and mental development picks up pace.

As soon as they can toddle, children learn more by challenging themselves, exploring their boundaries, and figuring out how to get themselves around (and up, down, under, and over).

Every parent wants to encourage this, but it can be a bit daunting when you’re not sure how, particularly in a house that’s not exactly designed for little ones.

Well, it probably goes without saying (but we’ll say it, anyway), a cubby house is designed for them.

How does a cubby house help kids develop?

By giving them a space of their own, you immediately start encouraging their independence. You might like the idea of being a helicopter parent, but save that for when they’re away from home.

Letting kids work things out for themselves, including their own physical abilities, what’s safe and what’s risky, and how to overcome little obstacles, builds their confidence, something which carries over to every other aspect of their lives.

When your children are happy and playing in a comfortable and familiar space, they’re more likely to use their imagination. Giving them this perfect canvas to pretend to be whoever they want doing whatever they can think of – from an astronaut in a spaceship to a baker making and selling cupcakes –  is an ideal way to inspire and unleash their creativity.

If you have more than one child, and/or when your children have their friends round to play, you not only multiply the creativity in the cubby, but provide an environment for them to develop their social and communication skills.

They learn to collaborate, share, negotiate, and help each other try new things and reach new heights. This can be incredibly effective for younger children who want to be just like an older sibling, as their determination to imitate will accelerate their learning.

What’s the best thing about having a cubby house?

Hands down, the best thing about having a cubby house is that it gets kids outside.

Some of us might be just old enough to remember the days before video games and multiple electronic devices in every home, when kids amused themselves by looking for snails and bugs, or making mud pies.

By getting a cubby house while they’re still quite young, your kids figure out for themselves that there’s lots of fun to be had outside, thereby learning something that will become much more valuable later on. Hopefully, as they get older, you won’t have to force them off the couch, off their tablet or away from the television and out into the fresh air.

With any luck, you’ll have the opposite problem: getting them to come inside when it’s time for dinner!

Ask us about cubbies for Christmas

Christmas is the perfect time to give your kids the gift of outdoor adventure and independence.

We can advise you about what sort of cubby house suits your family and how best to set it up for the ages of your kids.

Check out our cedar cubby houses and start planning your investment in your kids’ development and growth … and some quiet time for you!

Related Blog Post: WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS ABOUT HAVING A CUBBY HOUSE?