The first time I wrote about the Step2 Neat and Tidy Cottage II was in 2014. It is now 2024 and I thought I would take the time to update my review.
Yes, nearly 10 years later, we STILL have this adorable cottage from Step2.
For many years, this cottage was at my inlaws’ home and my kids love to play in it. When they moved and no longer had room for it, it came to our home. We actually moved it from West Virginia to Virginia and then back to West Virginia again.
So, having had it for this long I can tell you two things about it.
It Holds Up Well
You would never know it’s 10 years old! It has held up very well for a children’s toy that has spent it’s life outside and been played with by all 7 of my children.
My Kids Have Loved It!
It’s one of those outdoor toys my kids have enjoyed quite a lot over the years. There is a place to plant flowers and we have done that a couple of years as well.
We lost the phone that it came with at some point and some of the stickers have faded or fallen off, but that hasn’t deterred my children from playing with it.
I can honestly recommend this great outdoor toy without reservations!
Below you’ll find my original review from 2014.
My Review of the Step2 Neat and Tidy Cottage II
There are no review items that excite my children quite like a new Step2 one. Step2 just knows how to make FUN toys!
This time around we were sent the Neat & Tidy Cottage II for review. You’ve probably seen the original Neat & Tidy Cottage; it’s been around for a little while now and came in a number of fun colors.
This newest version comes in a new color scheme AND features a few additional upgrades that I’m excited to show you today. Now, normally I take this time to show you some pictures of the setup, however I’m going to have to exclude those this time.
You see, I had this house shipped to the Grandparents’ home (they’ve been wanting a playhouse there since the kids play there at least once a week) and my father-in-law, in his excitement to show the kids, had it assembled before I arrived.
He said that assembly was really easy (he did it on his own without any help) and straightforward. Having an electric drill will speed things up, however you can also use a screwdriver. When it’s completed, it will look like this:
Yes, even the dog (meet Gunner the collie) loves the Neat and Tidy Cottage II!
Let’s start by talking about the color. A few months ago we reviewed the Step2 Alpine Ridge Climber and Slide. I love the natural, earth-tone colors of the climber & slide, and the new Neat & Tidy Cottage II uses those same colors.
The result is a toy that looks great both inside and outside of your home. The Neat & Tidy Cottage II looks great in the yard next to the Alpine Ridge Climber and Slide.
Step2 includes some fun features in this cottage to make it feel like a real home. My kids are delighted that their house has a working doorbell (and I’m delighted that it’s not obnoxiously loud).
The door opens and closes, as do the shutters. Jacob especially loves to play peek-a-boo with the shutters. He thinks it’s hilarious to fling them open and “scare” me with a loud “BOO!”.
Inside you’ll find a sink with an attached table and a built-in seat for your little one. Attached to the opposite side of the sink you’ll find a grill, perfect for your little one’s next cookout.
You’ll also find a clock with hands that move and a telephone inside the cottage. This cottage features a built-in floor with drain-holes, which is especially nice if you want to put this cottage outside.
The last special feature is a built-in flower box at the front, that your children could use to plant real flowers, decorate with fake flowers, or use to store all the “treasures” children like to carry around with them.
As I mentioned, this cottage is set up outside at my in-laws’ home, and my kids play with it every time they visit. It is one of the first things they run to play with when they arrive.
We all agree it’s been a great addition to their backyard and highly recommend it! Check out my short video below for even more details about this cottage.
Buy It
The Step2 Neat & Tidy Cottage II is available on the Walmart website. When I checked today (in 2024) the price was actually less now than it was in 2014!
Related Posts
I’ve reviewed quite a few Step2 products over the years. Check out this Hot Wheels Toddler to Twin Race Car Bed Review, this Step2 Home Depot Kids Workbench review, Step2 Paw Patrol Water Table Review, and this Step2 2-Story Playhouse and Slide Review.
Melissa ipock
Thursday 4th of September 2014
I love these products
Lily Kwan
Thursday 4th of September 2014
This playhouse looks very nice and Gunner is quite cute!
Hannah M
Wednesday 3rd of September 2014
I like the color scheme they selected and that it similar across different products. I like the more natural tone colors compared with the often garish primaries. It looks classy and more "grown up."
Denise Weatherly
Wednesday 3rd of September 2014
Naturally Playful Playhouse Climber and Swing Extension
angela higdon
Wednesday 3rd of September 2014
My son is already getting a Step 2 kitchen for his birthday, this would make an amazing Christmas gift! He loves little private icolas places!