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Step2 2-Story Playhouse and Slide Review

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This 2-Story Playhouse & Slide was provided for me by Step2 at no cost, to facilitate a review.

“The 2-Story Playhouse & Slide from Step2 is a multiple level cottage that provides kids with a place of their own to imagine and play in! With multiple play levels, a built-in indoor ladder and a large slide connected to the top floor, preschoolers will have tons of fun pretending, climbing and sliding. Kiddos can cook up meal on the ground floor and then head to the top and imagine they’re the captain of a ship. The imaginative and active play opportunities are endless for your little ones with this colossal clubhouse! Made in USA of US and imported parts from China.”

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Product Details:

  • 2-in-1 playhouse plus connected slide is double the fun!
  • Ground level features a working Dutch door, electronic door bell and kitchenette
  • Inside ladder allows children to climb to the second story
  • Fort-like and open slats on the second floor enhance imaginative play
  • Extra-long 70” ( 177.8 cm) slide provides a quick getaway
  • Requires two “AAA” batteries (not included)
  • Adult assembly required
  • Recommended age: 3-8
  • Dimensions: 83H, 106.5W, 48.5D
  • Weight: 200lbs

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My husband and I have been married for a little over 7 years now, and we’ve become quite accustomed to each others habits. So when he says, “Hey babe, I’m going to go out and work on the car for about half an hour,” I know, without a doubt, he’ll be out there all afternoon working on that car. That sweet man can’t seem to wrap his brain around estimating how long things take to save his life. So naturally, when we were discussing putting the playhouse together and he guessed it would take 1/2 an hour to assemble, I laughed. I figured it would take a good 3-4hrs to accomplish.

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I thought we should see who was see who was right. (really, I just wanted to give him a big fat “I told you so!”) So, we timed it…

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…. Well, it only took us 1hr and 2min to assemble! Turns out I was the one that was way off this time and I sadly did not get a chance to say “I told you so!”.  Assembly most definitely requires two sets of hands and some force. If it weren’t for the one piece pictured above, it probably would have taken us 45 minutes to complete. We spent a good 15 minutes trying to align the pegs and holes into place. It seemed as if they weren’t properly aligned when the product was manufactured, it required a lot of effort and force to attach these two sides. Finally though, we got it together; the other sides however, were not an issue thankfully.

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I love that Step2 was extra cautious in the sturdiness of this structure. Notice the metal beam across the flooring of the 2nd level, ensuring extra durability for your little ones playing up there. Also, there are anchors that are hammered into either side of the playhouse into the ground, which keep the playhouse from tipping.

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The first level of the playhouse offers many interactive and imaginative features. The kitchenette is adorable, my daughter (5) especially appreciates the colorful decals that make it a little more exciting and playful. The doorbell (which does ring!) on the exterior is a huge hit with all of my kids. My kids spend so much time being creative in there!

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The suggested age range for this playhouse is 3-8. If you’re anything like me, those recommendations can be rather arbitrary and are often ignored. But I would have to say, in this case it’s rather spot on. The ladder on the interior is easy to use for those with larger feet…. well, larger than my 1 1/2yo. He likes to think he’s big like his older siblings and will try anything they are doing. So naturally he charged right for the ladder, his little feet kept slipping between the rungs and the wall and getting lodged in there. Not really unsafe, but quite frustrating for someone entering the infamous 2’s.

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 My 3yo son noticed right away how high up he was and what a great view he had of our neighborhood from the 2nd level. He exclaimed loudly “Wow, I can see for MILES!”. Lately we’ve been enjoying reading through a series called “The Magic Tree House” It’s about a brother and sister who find a magical tree house located in the tallest tree in the woods near their house. From there they are transported to various times and places, all while going on an exciting mission for their new found friend, Morgan le Fay. As you can imagine, the arrival of this play house while reading through these books has been perfect!! They spend so much time up there pretending to be Jack and Annie from the Magic Tree House series and embarking on exciting adventures together.

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Again, I would have to strongly recommend following the age recommendation,  especially with the 2nd level. The ladder to the 2nd level is located on the inside of the playhouse, giving it an extra fort-like feel, which is super fun, but it also has a downside. The opening for the ladder leaves what can simply be described as a hole in the floor of the 2nd level. My almost 4yo son had a little too much fun spying on the neighbors while up there and wasn’t watching his footing, causing him to fall through the opening in the floor. He was winded and his pride bruised, but he was fine. I’ve reminded him multiple times to watch out for the opening while up there and to be careful. Because of his age and having had a very hands on reminder, he hasn’t had that issue since. I think most younger children wouldn’t have enough awareness to prevent it from happening multiple times. Step2 advises against building the playhouse on hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, packed earth, grass, carpet or any other hard surfaces. Knowing there can be a falling hazard in that one area, I would strongly encourage following their recommendations for building the playhouse on a safe surface. We placed our playhouse on mulch.

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The extra-long, 70″ inch slide is a BLAST! It’s not only super long, but quite fast, which is perfect for my big 2! Have you ever noticed how children seem to instantly find a circular pattern in a house and RUN around and around and around that said circle?? It’s a thing — all children love it and my kids seem to do it every day in my house right around 3:30pm, give or take a few minutes. (That’s usually a good sign that the bewitching hour has begun) This playhouse seems to have the same ever popular circular flow to it, which is an awesome solution for the bewitching hour. The kids get sent outside to run off that overflow of energy and I get to witness the same pattern that usually happens inside, happen outside. They run through the playhouse door, up the ladder, go down the slide and REPEAT! (about 50 times) Lord help us all this snowy winter….

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Step2’s 2-Story Playhouse and Slide was a huge hit for our family and if you have young children it is bound to be a hit for yours as well. Really the only thing you’ll have to take into account are the ages of your children. Mine are 5 1/2, almost 4, 1 1/2 and 5 months…. It works without any hitches for the big 2, but for #3 we’ve set up a rule where he can only play on the lower level and if he wants to go down the slide we’ll set him up there and hold his hand on the way down. The slide is too fast for him yet, but a perfect speed for the older ones. Thankfully we’ve got some time before it’s an issue with #4! The playhouse is perfect even if you have a small yard; it’s so compact most everyone should be able to accommodate it into your space with ease.  My kids so enjoy the seclusion that comes from the fort-like structure of the 2-Story Playhouse, it’s been a wonderful source of entertainment!

Check out this video to see the Two Story Playhouse & Slide in action:

Want to purchase the Step2 Two Story Playhouse & Slide for your own child(ren)? It is available exclusively at Toys”R”Us  and has a suggested price of $599. The 2-Story Playhouse and Slide is on sale for $449.99 at Toys R Us through 11/21? That’s a $150 savings!!

Disclosure: Heather was provided this playhouse at no cost to facilitate her review. No other monetary compensation was received. 

Jasmin

Wednesday 12th of August 2020

Saw your post and fell in love with this playhouse for my 4 year old son, sadly it seems it was discontinued and I can’t find it or anything else like it anywhere!!!

Pauline Gorczycki

Friday 20th of November 2015

N SO WHO WON???

April Culbertson

Tuesday 17th of November 2015

I would love to become a tester if possible . I read that you do not have to be a blogger but I am a mother of 3 and youngest is 3 years old. We enjoy your toys as our backyard is a playground of them:) I recently lost my job of 9 years and can not afford to update and get newer products as I would like. Please email me back and my family would greatly enjoy the experience if excepted . Thank you

BRITTANY WILLARD

Monday 16th of November 2015

Wagon for two & tag-along trailer would be something else we'd love to own or any of the coasters!

BRITTANY WILLARD

Monday 16th of November 2015

i WROTE THIS ON THE WRONG BLOG. wOOPS!

BRITTANY WILLARD

Monday 16th of November 2015

The 1hr and 2min assembly time is so appealing. Hahaha. But it really is. I LOVE that it has metal to support it & it's not made entirely from plastic!