Rose Petal Cottage: A Mom's Best Friend

If you're in the market for a toy that will not only spark your child's imagination, but keep them busy for hours, the Rose Petal Cottage is exactly what you need. As a mom to a toddler and a preschooler, I can tell you first hand how wonderful the Rose Petal Cottage is. Here, I will explain the benefits and few downsides to the Rose Petal Cottage to give you an idea of what to expect from your purchase.

Benefits to the Rose Petal Cottage

For me, the benefits to the Rose Petal Cottage far outweigh the few drawbacks. This play house grows well with children as it can be used from toddlerhood to early elementary years. Very few products on the market can offer you the same versatility and longevity.

Convenient Storage

One half of the cottage slides perfectly into the other side for convenient storage. In addition, the accessories that you can purchase for the Rose Petal Cottage stack into the smallest section of the cottage for further space saving (see picture two). The larger half of the cottage stands 50" tall and 37" wide, which sounds larger than it seems.

Durable Frame

The frame is built from durable metal rods connected together by sturdy, solid plastic joints, though it wouldn't take well to a child jumping onto the top of it (if they could even get up that high). For normal use, however, the frame is quite sturdy and durable.

Lifelike Accessories

The Rose Petal Cottage comes with a play stove with moving knobs and an oven. In addition, you can purchase Rose Petal Cottage accessories such as a sink, nursery items, washing machine, and furniture. Each accessory has lifelike features, such as turning faucet handles, doors that open, etc. This heightens the imaginative play for your child.

Gorgeous Embellishments

Your child may not notice the flowers at the window, the "wood" floor in the kitchen, or other embellishments, but they truly make the Rose Petal Cottage stand apart from other similar play houses. Plus, it will be as visually pleasing in your home as it is fun.

Great for Many Ages

Children as young as a year old and as old as six will love the Rose Petal Cottage for various reasons. My toddler simply enjoys being inside the cottage when both sides are closed, and coming in and out of the door. Older children will spend hours imitating real life and playing house.

Easily Washable Fabric

The double-sided fabric walls can be easily wiped clean, or for the big messes, can be thrown in the washer and hung to dry. Messes are inevitable with children's toys, which makes the convenient washable fabric of the Rose Petal Cottage even more appealing.

Boy and Girl Friendly

Though the Rose Petal Cottage appears girly and some will have you believe that it is a sexist toy, boys are big fans of it as well. My preschool boy enjoys cooking us dinner, vacuuming, and washing the dishes. What better way to teach your son and daughter about being a grown up than to give him or her a Rose Petal Cottage?

Drawbacks to the Rose Petal Cottage

The Rose Petal Cottage is certainly a mom's best friend, but be prepared for these few drawbacks that you will likely experience. Keep these in mind when you're shopping around for the cottage as well.

Tips Easily

When there is nothing inside the Rose Petal Cottage to keep it on the ground, it tends to tip easily if a child leans against the walls of the house. Though the Rose Petal Cottage is quite durable and likely wouldn't be hurt by a fall, your child could be.

Must Follow Assembly Directions Precisely

When you purchase your Rose Petal Cottage, do not attempt to assemble it with small children around to steal parts, jump on the fabric, and otherwise stress you out. Though it is quite simple to assemble if you precisely follow the directions, the Rose Petal Cottage can become quite complicated if you are distracted. Fortunately, the directions are explicit, and if you get tripped up, you can find video directions on the manufacturer's website: Hasbro.com. For the first half of the cottage, it took us about 15 minutes. The second half took less time, and we also ordered the Cherry Blossom Market (shown in picture two) which I was able to put together in a snap, since I already had the experience of the others.

Size

Unless you have ample room in your home or a playroom set aside, you will find that the Rose Petal Cottage takes up more room than most toys. Though it stores conveniently, you will still have a nearly 4 foot tall half of a house to contend with. Fortunately, it can be disassembled for storage, though this means that you'll have to go through the precise assembly method again.

Not Meant for Roughhousing

One of the issues we have had with the Rose Petal Cottage is that our preschool boy gets quite excited and wants to jump around in it, try to climb it, and various other testosterone-infused boy things. Though the Rose Petal Cottage hasn't shown any signs of wear from his enthusiasm, it is clear that it could be easily damaged with misuse.

Price

Although I personally think the Rose Petal Cottage is wonderful, I got it for a great deal on Amazon.com. Beacuse of the drawbacks listed here, I would not spend full price for this particular toy. If you are in the market for a Rose Petal Cottage, keep your eyes peeled for deals instead of paying full price.

Despite the few drawbacks of the Rose Petal Cottage, it is by far a mom's best friend. Not only does it teach independent play and inspire imagination, but it also creates endless entertainment for your child. You will find that one moment your child will be serving you a plastic food dinner, the next they'll be asking you to leave so they can play by yourself. See? I told you the Rose Petal Cottage was a mom's best friend!