Jump to:
A kids playhouse in full summer sun, with no shade or ventilation, can feel like walking into an oven. Not only does this make the space uncomfortable, but it may also be unsafe for your little ones to play in. Luckily, there are a few quick and easy things you can do to help.
How to Cool Down a Kids’ Playhouse
Keep the sun off with shade
Intense sun can quickly heat up a playhouse, going through the thin walls and roof and being exacerbated by the windows. Throw a cover over to block that direct sunlight.
A garden parasol is a good example; it can be positioned and angled as the sun moves. Set this large umbrella next to the playhouse, ideally on the side that gets the most direct sunlight. If the sun shifts in the afternoon, adjust or move to keep that area covered.
No parasol? Lay a shade sail or a car cover over the roof. Choose a light-coloured cover, such as white or pale grey, as it reflects heat instead of trapping it.
Tip: If you can’t cover the whole thing, start with the part that gets hit the hardest.
Rely on the wooden playhouse ventilation
Warm air needs a way out! Most playhouses have small ventilation holes near the roof, as a requirement for child safety. Check them. They might be blocked, especially if the structure is close to a wall or fence. Clear any blocking source and re-position (if needed) for free airflow.
If your model doesn’t have any vents, prop the door open in the morning. This works even better with clear openings from the vents. The key is to get air moving before waiting until midday when it’s already hot inside.
Do the windows open? Leave them slightly open to let a bit of air in.
Cover the windows
This especially applies to single-glazed windows. They’re likely to let the sun straight in with nothing to block the heat. Try sticking reflective foil or a car windscreen sunshade on the inside of the windows.
These bounce the heat back out instead of letting it build up inside. Cut to size and taped in place will do; you can always remove it when it’s cooler.
Check the playhouse model to see the window features. SAN glazing, although safer than glass, doesn’t do much to reflect the heat. You would be unlikely to find a double glazed playhouse due to the cost of such windows,but if they did exist they would have an advantage in hot weather. Curtains should be fine to add extra shade and privacy.
Double-check the temperature
Make it a habit to check the level of heat inside before the kids go in. How it feels to you might not be the same for them. UK guidance for schools, for instance, recommends using fans and increasing ventilation when the temperature reaches up to 35 °C. Above that, fans alone might not be enough. It might be best to have them play in the house in the meantime.
Keep a basic indoor thermometer in the playhouse to monitor. If it hits around 30–35 °C, pause play, air it out, and add shade or fans. Again, anything higher than that is already pushing the limit.
How to Prevent Playhouse Overheating: Round-up
Young children are meant to enjoy their playhouse, but they’re more at risk in hot spaces. There’s no need to insulate the whole playhouse or make big changes. The goal is to add cover, get the air moving, and check the heat inside and outside. Use a thermometer if you’re unsure, and adjust throughout the day as needed.
If the time comes for an upgrade, check out our models, including two-storey playhouses. All units comply with the British Standards (BS) EN71, and are built with safety features like:
- Durable single SAN glazing as standard (double glazing available as an extra)
- Finger gap around the door to reduce the risk of pinched fingers when opening or closing
- Ventilation holes to keep the room feeling fresh for everyday play
- Non-toxic treatment (with the option to upgrade to pressure treatment)
You can relax knowing they’re playing in something that’s been tested and certified. For enquiries, talk to our team at 01909 768840.
