Monday, November 12, 2012

My Pretty Playhouse Cardboard Playhouse from Boutique Cascades {Review & Giveaway}

Cascades logo
If there is an age that children reach when they stop being overly amazed and thrilled by cardboard boxes, my girls haven't gotten there yet. I, for one, don't see a box and feel the extreme desire to examine it, push it around, color it, climb inside and hide, and then attempt to come up with new ways to play with it.

But maybe that's just me?

As for my kids, cardboard is fantastic. It's wonderful! It's the best thing ever! Forget whatever toy that came inside, they just want to play with the box.

Inevitably though, the excitement is always fairly short-lived. The flimsy cardboard rips or the bottom falls out or the girls realize that, in fact, they can put their creativity towards something that isn't just a box.

But... what if it isn't? What happens when a company that is committed to sustainable development decides to turn cardboard into something imaginative, innovative and amazingly fun? The result is the unique collection of eco-conscious, 100% recycled cardboard playhouses and furniture from Boutique Cascades.

Boutique Cascades

Made up of more than 12,000 men and women working in more than 100 locations across North America and Europe, Boutique Cascades is based in Canada and offers product after product that inspire kids to create. Their playhouses aren't just large boxes with window holes cut out, these are 100% recyclable, kid-focused and eco-friendly structures that are built, decorated, and enjoyed for quite some time.

When My Pretty Playhouse arrived, we were all anxious to begin assembly so that we could see how a pile of cardboard could turn into something that would provide hours of endless fun.

Cascades My Pretty Playhouse
Love the great handled box!

While Big Sister E and Little Sister B busied themselves coloring the box, it didn't take me long to peruse the single page of easy-to-follow instructions and begin putting this playhouse together.

My Pretty Playhouse assembly

As each piece had a simple notch or slot, it only ended up taking 5 or 10 minutes to fit them together before we stepped back to find the 3714" x 39" x 54516" My Pretty Playhouse calling out to us to come and play.

While I had initially assumed that this would be a somewhat small house, I was just as surprised and pleased as the girls to find it standing 412' tall!

My Pretty Playhouse review

The details that Cascades put into My Pretty Playhouse were easily evident and impressive. From the window awnings to the flower boxes to the gables on each end of the roof, everywhere I looked there was another aspect that I hadn't seen before made out of this durable, sturdy cardboard.

Big Sister E and Little Sister B couldn't wait to try it out immediately!

kids cardboard playhouse

There is plenty of room for both of them to sit or stand inside and they immediately went about looking over their new house. After we all grinned and pointed out all of the adorable touches throughout My Pretty Playhouse...

My Pretty Playhouse details

...the blank canvas aspect (of the inside as well as the outside) had them racing for their art supplies.

No matter if you reach for the crayons, markers, colored pencils, paints, stickers, chalk, scrap paper and glue or more, there really isn't a limit to what kids can do to decorate a toy like this.

Both of my girls have come up with all sorts of personal touches that they wanted to include (portraits! Wallpaper!) and have returned to My Pretty Playhouse to see how it continues to change and bring new excitement each day that they are inspired to add more creativity.

decorating cardboard playhouse

From their usual pretend play to making up elaborate adventures to just hanging out reading a book, My Pretty Playhouse has proven to be just the right combination of toy, art project, stage, and playhouse all in one!

indoor playhouse

Overall, we've all been really happy with My Pretty Playhouse and how easy it was to assemble and how durable and well made and safe it has proven to be. At the same time, this simple contraption continues to stimulate creativity and really does allow kids of all ages (Boutique Cascades recommends it for ages 3+) to use their imaginations.

The size is just right for multiple children to enjoy decorating and playing, while this won't take up a massive amount of room in smaller houses, condos or apartments.

Even better, this customizable playhouse is not only made from 100% recycled cardboard, but when it has finally seen its last day of providing entertainment, it can just as easily be recycled.

Need one more reason to love My Pretty Playhouse? How about that it actually helps build real homes! Cascades donates two dollars to Habitat for Humanity for each playhouse sold, continuing this company's rich history of community involvement and offering direct assistance to families in need.

Retailing for $38 (and FREE shipping!), My Pretty Playhouse is available directly from Boutique Cascades and would be a wonderful gift for the holidays, a birthday or more.

As well as trying your luck at winning one right here, there is currently a My Pretty Playhouse contest on Facebook where FIVE playhouses are being given away EVERY day... and the grand prize winner will receive a $2,500 gift certificate for renovations! This contest ends November 15th, so head over today!

Finally, thanks to the generosity of Cascades, one person will soon have a special way for the child(ren) in their life to personalize their own one-of-a-kind home as well, because...

One lucky person will win a My Pretty Playhouse eco-conscious 100% recycled cardboard playhouse from Boutique Cascades!

My Pretty Playhouse giveaway

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Boutique Cascades for providing a My Pretty Playhouse for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.  

162 comments:

Ruth said... 1

I would love the paper tableclothes rolls

The Riebeek Family said... 2

http://boutique.cascades.com/ca/en/catalog/outdoor-furniture/garden-bench/

RILEKAT said... 3

I really like the Massimo Recycled Cardboard Christmas Tree

Kelly R. said... 4

The recycled Christmas Trees are great.

AngelWinner said... 5

The kids would love the recycled cb Christmas tree

Unknown said... 6

Strat Board Game looks fun

Carrie Phelps said... 7

My grandchildren would also like the My Toc Toc Toc House.

Madeline said... 8

I love the paper tablecloth rolls!

Anonymous said... 9

the strat board game looks fun
tcogbill at live dot com

Alicia said... 10

The Christmas trees are a great idea!!

wigget said... 11

i like the Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees

Diane Zielinski said... 12

I like the garden bench.

Anonymous said... 13

toc toc toc

Unknown said... 14

I would love to own a few of the cardboard xmas trees! They would make practical decorations for my family with small kids.

Magela said... 15

I like the cardboard HotWheels car.

julie said... 16

The ECO Cubes

Amy V said... 17

i like the ethical women's tees

annae07 at aol dot com

Jessica A. said... 18

I would love to get the cardboard hotwheel car!

Kira said... 19

I like the Urban Forest Ethical Clothing

Tammy said... 20

I like the eco cube

Domestic Diva said... 21

The paper tablecloth roll looks like lots of fun.

Unknown said... 22

I would like the Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees in Classico!

Anonymous said... 23

I'd like the children's cardboard table!

Trudy
onlyjustine at yahoo dot com

SueZH said... 24

I love the Christmas Trees esp Massimo

debijackson said... 25

recycled cardboard christmas trees
debbie jackson
djackson1958 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said... 26

Cardboard barbie dreamhouse:)

http://pinterest.com/jmatek24/

Unknown said... 27

I would love to win or try the Cardboard Hot Wheels™ Car, it looks so cool.

Unknown said... 28

I like their recycled Garden Bench

Gina F. said... 29

I would like to own the My Toopy & Binoo House.

ginaferrell3 at yahoo dot com

Adrienne said... 30

I like this:
Strat Board Game

aperry said... 31

My urban forest t ashirt

rosannepm said... 32

I also liked the Recycled Plastic Outdoor Furniture the bench
rosans4@comcast.net

Tanya M said... 33

Strat Board Game looks interesting.
Thank you for the giveaway.

lilpinksocks said... 34

I like the Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees
lilpinksock31(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said... 35

I like the garden bench.
jcristig@hotmail.com

jackiekatie1105 said... 36

I really like the Massimo Recycled Cardboard Christmas Tree

Chelsea said... 37

the convertible barbie car!

Anonymous said... 38

well, I like this playhouse the very best, it is the biggest one... but the barbie car would be liked, also.

bison61 said... 39

Garden Bench

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Nancy P said... 40

My son would LOVE the Hot Wheels cardboard car!

Brooke T said... 41

Strat Board Game

intensev5 said... 42

I also love the Garden Bench they have on their website

DEBIJOT said... 43

I like the eco cubes

walk9 said... 44

I like the eco cubes too.

jcwega27 said... 45

cmas trees
jessicawedwards@gmail.com

Stacey V said... 46

My niece would love the Barbie Dreamhouse

mmc123456

Barb B. said... 47

I am loving the Yup Eco Cube that comes in 4 different colours!

freddie said... 48

I like their Cardboard Hot Wheels Car. dwelchert@yahoo.com

Mary K Tran @LetsPlayOC said... 49

The Cardboard Playhouse please!

Brittany said... 50

My Toc Toc Toc House

Phyllis said... 51

I would like to own the recycleable Christmas Tree.

Kathy Davis said... 52

Would love to have the The Convertible Cardboard Barbie Car.
Kathy Davis
kdavis1@centurytel.net

*Mirage* said... 53

Oh my! The cardboard cars! My kids would just go nuts! :)

Jane said... 54

The outdoor garden bench would be awesome!

Dave said... 55

the Christmas trees look fun!
entered as davis in rafflecopter

Patricia Williams said... 56

My boys would like the Hot Wheels cardboard car

Unknown said... 57

I like the Children's Cardboard Chairs.

Table4Five said... 58

I can see my daughter having a lot of fun with her Barbies and the Convertible Cardboard Barbie™ Car!

Elizabeth - MomReviews

Terra Heck said... 59

Strat Board Game
Thanks
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

enizete said... 60

The Eco CUBE look really good!

Anonymous said... 61

The Birdhouse

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thank you

Cassie Eastman said... 62

Would love the Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees!

Unknown said... 63

Cardboard Barbie™ Dream House

Unknown said... 64

I love the Eco cubes!

The Studio said... 65

The every drop counts shirt.
rendancechick at yahoo dot com

Modest Mama said... 66

I like the recycled Christmas tree and the clothing.

Little Ella Lu said... 67

The cardboard table and chairs are way too cute, but I'm sure they wouldn't last long with my girls.

Kaizen Fashion Project said... 68

I really like the My Toc Toc Toc House!

heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

dailymom said... 69

I also like the eco cubes

STRANGEONE1120 said... 70

I like the Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees
Classico

Anonymous said... 71

I love the Convertible Cardboard Barbie Car!

suzy_darling@hellokitty.com

Audra Weathers said... 72

My daughter would also like their children's cardboard table.

Jennireesa/Jennifer W. said... 73

I like the Garden Bench.

Unknown said... 74

I like the kids' cardboard table & chairs.

Baby Teagan Explores said... 75

I love the toopy and Binnno House

babyteaganexplores at gmail dot com

Teh Doll said... 76

Eco Cubes are neat.

Cserafini said... 77

I like the eco cubes.

Jen lleras said... 78

I also love the cardboard racecar

Mere said... 79

Love the Barbie dream house!

r said... 80

the cardboard car!

ide2678 said... 81

My kids would love the My Toc Toc Toc House.

Danya said... 82

Love the recycled Christmas tree!

judy gardner said... 83

love the eco cubes

velvetelvis46@yahoo.com

Jo Ann said... 84

The cardboard chairs would eb a big hit in my house, ut I also love the paper tablecloths.

LeeAnn said... 85

I like the Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees - Classico.

Maggie said... 86

I love the cardboard Christmas trees, very cute.

sarah79harding said... 87

I like the Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees - Massimo

becca said... 88

i like the recycled xmas tree

lace said... 89

cardboard boxes are so fun and these look extra fun

Hoa said... 90

I like the Adirondack chair.

alittlepieceofheaven777(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said... 91

Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees - Massimo

Unknown said... 92

I love the Massimo tree and the Piccolo tree!

Anonymous said... 93

I like the children's furniture. These are the right size for little tykes and can be a guilty/fuss free canvas!

AnnaZed said... 94

The Strat Board Game looks fun!

Just a note: The Rafflecopter calls me 'Margot' since it is accessing my facebook where I am 'Margot Core'; the Rafflecopter connects to this email: annazed10 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Unknown said... 95

I would love to have the Massimo Christmas Tree.

Unknown said... 96

I really like the Recycled Cardboard Birdhouses...great idea!

sherri419 at gmail dot com

Tonic67 said... 97

Cardboard Barbie™ Dream House
toni marie caravello feimer

Lina said... 98

I like the Recycled Cardboard Birdhouses

Mirm said... 99

Like The Convertible Cardboard Barbie™ Car

Peggy said... 100

Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees

Cassandra Holdeman said... 101

I love their gift wrap, it is gorgeous.

Sndrdee said... 102

I like the recycled cardboard Christmas trees.

Unknown said... 103

I also love the Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees. What a cool idea.

Springjoy said... 104

I would definitely use ths Garden Waste Bags!

savy said... 105

i love their cardboard furniture

Jess said... 106

I like the recycled plastic garden bench.

corey1971 said... 107

Children's Cardboard Table (Corey Olomon)

Kristi Renout said... 108

I like the eco cubes.

Unknown said... 109

I love the Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees! Super cute!

ReviewsSheRote said... 110

the recycled Christmas is very nice

Jay said... 111

I like the recycled Christmas trees.
rbjj32825[at]lycos[dot]com

Tamar said... 112

I like the strat board game.

Linda S said... 113

I really like the Massimo Recycled Cardboard Christmas Tree

caitlin tate said... 114

eco cubes

Tara V. said... 115

I love the Cardboard Christmas Tree

dispatcher_kristy said... 116

Plastic Patio Table

Marysa said... 117

I love the recycled cardboard birdhouses!

polly said... 118

i like the kids cardboard table & chairs

Gennie Lancaster-JayGennie05@aol.com said... 119

Strat Board Game

Jen F said... 120

Their Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees are pretty cool!

jenblogger7 at gmail.com

Unknown said... 121

I love the Children's Cardboard Furniture. What a fun idea!

Lindsey M said... 122

I like the Piccolo cardboard christmas tree

sweepymummy at yahoo dot com

molly u said... 123

i love the card board furniture maybe it could teach the young ones in my family to treat furniture respectively and not just run and jump

Caryn said... 124

I like the The Convertible Cardboard Barbie™ Car

caryn9802 at yahoo dot com

jtedd said... 125

I like recycled cardboard Christmas trees

Anonymous said... 126

I love the Outdoor Garden Bench.
BellaTaul(at)gmail(dot)com

Rochel S said... 127

I like the cardboard table and chairs!

Alison said... 128

The Recycled Cardboard Birdhouses are really pretty cute.

Unknown said... 129

i love the Massimo recycled cardboard christmas trees!

christinejessamine at hotmail dot com

tracey said... 130

Strat Board Game
ty
rc name rochelle johnson

Missy L said... 131

I like the Ethical Clothing

natalie rose machowski said... 132

I like the garden bench

Charlene S. said... 133

I like the Recycled Cardboard Birdhouses :)

blew415 said... 134

The Christmas trees!!

sandra davis said... 135

i like the recycled cardboard christmas trees

Unknown said... 136

I really like their Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees!

cassandra marquez said... 137

I really like their garden bench
fb: rab pom

mary reynolds said... 138

the hot wheel car would be great for my grandson, William

Unknown said... 139

I love the cardboard furniture

Anonymous said... 140


The Convertible Cardboard Barbie™ Car is pretty cool!
snowwolf222@yahoo.com

susansmoaks said... 141

i also like the black polo shirt, it's eco friendly!
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 142

the Piccolo cardboard christmas tree

PeepersPerch said... 143

The cardboard birdhouses

Melanie said... 144

I like the Wrapping Paper - Stripes pattern

degood said... 145

I like their Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees

daivabaum said... 146

I like the recycled Christmas Trees

Danielle Davis/Grady said... 147

Cardboard Hot Wheels™ Car! :)
Thank you!
Suchaproudmama @ yahoo.com

MELINA said... 148

The Convertible Cardboard Barbie Car

Unknown said... 149

I really liked the Cardboard Hot Wheels™ Car. Lieutcrunch27 (at) gmail (dot) com

McKim said... 150

I like their recycled cardboard Christmas trees.

Jenny Q. said... 151

I love the children's cardboard chairs. It is a cute idea that I am sure my kids would love.

cassandra m said... 152

http://boutique.cascades.com/ca/en/catalog/cardboard-furniture/strat-board-game/

Breanne said... 153

Wrapping Paper - Pattern Rounds & Snow

daveshir2005 said... 154

I also like the Recycled Cardboard Birdhouses (2 units)

email/ daveshir2005@yahoo.com
fb/ shirley greenawalt zolenski

lilyk said... 155

The Eco CUBE looks very nice!

Brenda said... 156

I love the xmas trees!

Deborah Hogue said... 157

I like the recycled Cardboard Christmas trees

Tylerpants said... 158

I'd love to have the Garden Bench. tylerpants(at)gmail.com

trixx said... 159

I like the Adirondack chair

cman said... 160

Cardboard Hot Wheels Car.

Sarah Perry said... 161

I like the cardboard birdhouse :)

Unknown said... 162

I also like the Moderno Christmas Tree!