I am partnering with Step2 for the following review. I received a product in exchange for my review and honest opinion. No other compensation was provided. The video with my crazy kids is totally my own.
So I have this problem with the boys that I never had with my oldest daughter at this age. They really, truly, absolutely have a love for toys. She would always hang out with me or play with a select few items. But with the boys? They adore toys. They like playing together and sharing with toys. They like playing separately with toys. They like switching out toys. They like new toys. They like old toys. Are you seeing a theme here? Unfortunately for them, we only have the budget to purchase them clothes and diapers, and when people ask about buying things for them, I always say clothes and diapers first. So when I received the opportunity to be a Toy Tester for Step2 (squeal!!), I jumped at the chance. Talk about early Christmas for my boys! Step2 sent the Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill for my wild little men to experience, and it’s been like manna sent from heaven above.
We chose to keep the Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill indoors instead of outdoors. With the cold winter months ahead, I knew that they would get the most use out of it if it were easily accessible. The Happy Home Cottage and Grill is small enough for a large playroom, yet large enough for at least three kids to enjoy at the same time. The Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill is entered at least once for every one of my boys’ waking hours. It has occupied them time and time again, meaning more time for me to sneak away and get house chores accomplished.
My boys’ favorite part of the Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill? The doorbell! The cottage came at a perfect time. My boys are into this pretend play game where they leave, and knock on the door, and say hey/bye. The Cottage and Grill facilitates and supports their pretend play game.
Inside, the Cottage and Grill is very open, which allows multiple kids to enjoy it at the same time. The number of windows make it easy for moms and dads to keep an eye on what’s happening inside of the cottage. Fire place and clock stickers add to a homey feel.
The grill portion is on the side, with a little sink/faucet in the center, and a counter portion on the inside.
The play phone and little seat are fun additions to the house, too!
We did an informal experiment to see how many kids can fit in the house. My kids were way too busy to sit still for a photo, but I managed to snap a quick one of all four of them packed in!
The Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill is sold exclusively at Toys “R” Us and is for kids 1 1/2 and up. One of the most awesome things about the Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill is that it has an actual floor inside of it. I don’t think I’ve seen any other cottages that have this feature. For my busy bunch of toddlers, the Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill has proven to reinforce play time and imagination.
The Step2 Happy Home Cottage and Grill is easy to put together. I assembled it myself in about 45 minutes. Want to see the cottage and assembly in action? Check it out in action in my video!
This looks like such a fun play house! I love that it fits in your house for the winter!
This is the cutest play set perfect for boys and even girls! I wish I would have had something like this when I was a child.
Me, too!
Love it! Step 2 makes some awesome products. I don’t doubt that your kids totally adore this. It looks like so much fun!
That is so cool! I love all the little details that make it extra fun for kids, and I love that it’s geared to boys too. As a boy mom, I’m excited to see an option that is just as appealing for them as for little girls!
Yes, that is very true! I didn’t realize the importance of that until I had a crew of boys myself!
What a great playhouse! I love the grill part!
Step2 has the best products…so well built. Not only are they fun but they last forever…inside and out! 🙂
When my kiddos were younger, they would spend HOURS playing with their play house and kitchen. They didn’t have this grill back then, but they would have loved this! Toys like this were their preference and I loved how they used their imagination!
We are sooooo getting this for Christmas! Not even kidding. I think I’m more excited than the kids!
It’s a blast! For the older ones AND the younger ones!
Thank you for sharing. I think my nephew would love this, will have to look into it for him!
That would have been so fun when I was a kid!
How fun! My preschooler would love this playhouse!
I love this. Now that my youngest is finally old enough to play with his big sister, we need 2 (+) sized kid toys. We’ve got a tiny playhouse that the kids like, but it uses the corner of the living room and someone always manages to knock something off the wall or unplug something. An *actual* play house to put in their rooms would be way better – I’m so glad to see the features up close like this before we buy!
Love this!! I’m sure my son would love this!
These are such great products!
I love Step 2 Products…they are so sturdy and kids LOVE playing with them!