Painting & Maintenance Information

Please read the below information to ensure your new cubby house is enjoyed for many years.

For Warranty information Click Here:

For Delivery Information Click Here:

Please inspect all boxes upon delivery for damage and report to Hide and Seek Kids immediately (within 3 days) and also note on the delivery docket that you are required to sign. This is a requirement of the Transport Carrier and Hide & Seek Kids to ensure the problem is rectified promptly.

Important Information:

Hide & Seek Kids can only recommend the below information. If you are unsure with assembly or painting your Cubby House than please consult professional advice. All unassembled cubby house boxes need to be stored in a dry and covered area until assembly.

Unpainted Cubby Houses:

Some Cubby Houses from Hide and Seek Kids are supplied using unpainted raw timber. Although raw, every piece of timber used in a Hide & Seek Kids has been heat treated for 9 days. Heat treatment improves the durability of the timber and draws out the moisture making it less appealing to insects.

Every effort is needed to keep the cubby dry until paint is applied inside and out on all unpainted cubby houses. Painting the cubby house will create a barrier from the harsh Australian elements; it will also assist in repelling water from the surfaces of the cubby.

Stained Cubby Houses:

Some Hide and Seek Kids do come pre-stained (water-based). The stain does provide some protection, but like all water-based stains they have a life, depending on the surrounding environment. For total protection we still recommend painting the cubby house.

Painting Tips:

Painting your cubby prior to assembly is the easiest and fastest way.

After consulting painting professionals, we recommend:

• Two coats of undercoat over the entire cubby (don't forget under the floor!), then
• Two coats of a gloss paint over the entire cubby.

*Some Hardware Stores may suggest a primer or a paint with a built-in undercoat, please do not use these. These are not as effective as a dedicated undercoat.

Assembly Advice:

Please ensure when assembling the Cubby House that screws and bolts are not over tightened. Over tightening will cause damage to the thread and cracking in the surrounding timber.

Cubby Placement:

The placement of your cubby house is just as important as painting.

Please ensure the cubby is not placed directly on grass, this is due to possible moisture build up under the cubby which can result in waterlogged timber. We recommend placing some pavers or some sleepers under the feet or floor so that it can assist in levelling the cubby house whilst keeping it dry.

Ensure the cubby house is placed away from trees that can possibly drop branches onto the cubby and cause damage.

Lastly, ensure the cubby house is placed in an area that receives plenty of sunlight. Sunlight and air flow will decrease the chances of mold growth. Mold can cause moisture retention and will ultimately result in the timber to become water logged, causing rot.

Wood Advice:

Our products are manufactured from premium timber. Hide & Seek Kids recommends:

• Inspect wood parts monthly. The grain of the wood sometimes will lift in dry periods causing splinters to appear. Light sanding may be necessary to maintain a safe environment. Treating your product with protection (sealant/paint) after sanding will help prevent severe splinters and other weather damage.
• We have applied a water-base stain to your Cubby House. This is done for colour only. Once or twice a year, depending on your climate conditions, you must apply some type of protection (sealant/paint) to the Cubby House. Prior to the application of the sealant, lightly sand any "rough" spots. Please note this is a requirement of your warranty.

Please bear in mind that timber is a natural product and may experience changes throughout the course of its life. It may:

• Develop cracks, gaps or cracks along the line of the grain.
• Fade as the timber reacts with sunlight

Timber cracks occur due to the moisture content between internal and outer surfaces of the timber and the varying temperature. Each piece of timber can react differently to the climate. A crack in the timber does not affect the strength or durability of the wood or structural integrity of the Cubby House.

These can be easily fixed by appling a No Gaps or Wood putty.

Need help or inspiration?

If you are stuck for ideas, why not pop on over to the Hide & Seek Kids Facebook page and scroll through the many photos of what other people have done, you will find many different and creative ideas.

The painting may seem like a tough job but at the end you will step back and will be glad you do when you see the smile on your child’s face!