Pretend play is a creative way to support your child’s growth and development. It’s also an excellent method to reduce their screen time and boost their imagination. Outdoor playhouses can offer a dedicated space just for that. They come in a variety of designs, details, sizes, and more—this makes it challenging to pick just one.
Make your shopping journey easier with this list. Learn all the features, details, and specifications of your best options in the market. At the same time, get some tips on what considerations to make during the choosing process. Use this to make an informed decision on which outdoor playhouse to get for your kid.
10 Best Outdoor Playhouses for Kids
1. Best Overall: 2MamaBees Oceano Playhouse
The Oceano Playhouse from 2MamaBees is made from the finest furniture-grade materials and products. Because of this, it’s built with a stunning farmhouse design that can elevate the look of your backyard. Plus, its main color theme is black and white, so it can easily blend into your space.
But most importantly, this playhouse has everything your kid will need for all kinds of pretend play. It has a built-in kitchen and even a potted garden that they can use however they like. It even comes with a bench on one side so other kids can join them for a more enjoyable playtime.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (LxWxH): 90 x 68 x 73 inches (With Bench)
- Age Recommendation: 2 years old and above
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: Yes
What’s Great About It:
- Complies with all CPSC requirements
- Made using non-toxic products
- Spacious wooden bench
- Big windows for easy supervision
- Made from high-quality cedar wood
2. Best Splurge: 2MamaBees Reign Two-Story Playhouse
If you have no problem when it comes to the price tag, consider getting the 2MamaBees Reign Two-Story Playhouse. On its ground floor, you can find its built-in kitchen where your kids and their friends can pretend to cook, play restaurant, and more. Then, there’s a free space on the second floor where you can access one of the best elements of this playhouse—the slide.
Aside from that, you can get this playhouse with or without a swing set. It’s designed to accommodate a pair of swings on one side so children can have more fun time outdoors. This is one of the reasons why it’s more expensive than most playhouses.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (LxWxH): 191 x 157 x 109 inches (With Swing Attachment)
- Age Recommendation: 3 years old and above
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: No (Outdoors Only)
What’s Great About It:
- Provides various ways to explore their imagination
- Perfect for multiple kids
- Complies with all CPSC requirements
- Classic black and white farmhouse design
- Made from high-quality cedar wood
3. Best Hanging Tent: Hearthsong HugglePod Woodland Hanging Tent with LED Lights
You can also go for something more unconventional and unique, like a hanging tent. The Hearthsong HugglePod Woodland Hanging Tent is your best option for that. It’s the perfect playhouse for kids who love to spend time out with nature. You can easily hang it in your backyard, and your kid can use it not just to play but to read and relax.
Additionally, this hanging tent comes with LED leaf lights inside. It also has a comfortable cushion, three windows, and a fabric door to ensure comfort and a little privacy when outdoors. It even has an outside pocket where kids can pretend to hide messages or their treats.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (DxH): 44 x 48 inches
- Age Recommendation: Not Specified
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: Yes
What’s Great About It:
- It can hold up to 250 pounds
- Durable and weather-resistant
- Award-winning woodland theme
4. Most Customizable: Palmako The Tom Playhouse
Playhouses usually come already decorated and finished, so there isn't much you can change about them. If you’re looking for an option you and your kid can personalize, go for the Palmako The Tom Playhouse. It comes with some DIY elements, so you can get creative with it—the wood comes unpainted. This way, you can paint it in the color your kid likes or one matching the color of your house.
Additionally, you can customize its roof by adding some shingles or a metal roof above the wood. At the same time, you should consider using some weatherproof roofing material to ensure the longevity of the wood.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (LxDxH): 101.5 x 88.25 x 90 inches (w/ Roof Overhang)
- Age Recommendation: Not Specified
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: No (Outdoor only)
What’s Great About It:
- Made of all-natural Nordic Spruce solid wood
- It comes with clear and illustrated step-by-step assembly instructions
- Stunning design inspired by wooden structures in Europe
5. Best for Big Kids: Backyard Discovery Beacon Heights Elevated Playhouse
Bigger kids will need bigger playhouses, just like this Backyard Discovery Beacon Heights Elevated Playhouse. It’s an elevated playhouse so it has a free space underneath that you can use for a separate playzone, like a sandbox. Above is a clubhouse where the kids can pretend to cook. Most importantly, it has a six-foot wave slide for enhanced fun outdoors.
No need to worry about their safety as the top has railings, even the slide, to protect the kids from falling. Plus, it comes with all the necessary toys and tools your kids need for imaginative play. These include a play kitchen, powered blender, working bell, and a working hinged door.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (LxDxH): 120.2 x 75 x 91.2 inches (Considering Slide)
- Age Recommendation: 3 to 10 years old
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: No (Outdoor only)
What’s Great About It:
- It comes with a growth board
- Easy to assembly as it comes with step-by-step instructions
- Made of durable Cedar wood
- Available in different colors
6. Best for Younger Children: Simplay3 Young Explorers Discovery Playhouse
The Beacon Heights can be a little too high for younger kids. You can choose to get this Simplay3 Young Explorers Discovery Playhouse instead. It has a lower elevation so even those younger than three years old can easily climb it. It also has a treehouse-like design so your kid can enjoy some fun challenges when playing.
Additionally, it comes with mini play kitchen toys, an art board, and a climbing ramp for a full treehouse-like experience. There are even little tunnels at the bottom so your kids can crawl through when playing. Plus, the whole set is modular, so you can add other sets to it to create a bigger play structure.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (LxDxH): 29.5 x 57.8 x 58.2 inches (Considering Slide)
- Age Recommendation: 18 months to 6 years old
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: Yes
What’s Great About It:
- Big windows/openings for easy parental supervision
- Lightweight and durable
- Easy to assemble
7. Best Tent: Pacific Play Tents Greenhouse Play Tent
A play tent like the Pacific Greenhouse Play Tent is one of the simplest playhouses you can give your child. It has a very ‘open’ design as its roof is made of No-See-Um Mesh. This allows good airflow inside the tent. Plus, its greenhouse-like details can make your kid feel like they’re in their own little world. Despite being a tent, it’s a durable playhouse because it has double-stitched seams along the stress points.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (LxDxH): 48 x 38 x 48 inches
- Age Recommendation: Not Specified
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: Yes
What’s Great About It:
- Ready for traveling
- It comes with a sturdy bag for easy storage
- Easy to set up and disassemble
- Affordable
8. Best Playhouse-Swing: Hearthsong 50-Inch Playful Rope HangOut Climber Swing
Another unique kind of playhouse you can get your kids is this Hearthsong Playful Rope HangOut Climber Swing. It’s like a hanging tent, except that it’s more open than a tent, so it’s more of a swing. It has a sturdy and durable rope construction that contributes to the breathability and visibility of the inside. Plus, it has a pretty high capacity as it can support up to two kids.
With this playhouse, your kid can try different ways of having fun—swinging, relaxing, reading, and more. Also, despite being made of ropes, it’s not hard to set up and hang from a tree.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (DxH): 50 x 54 inches
- Age Recommendation: 4 years old and above
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: No (Outdoor Only)
What’s Great About It:
- Made of comfortable Textilene swing mat
- Wide opening for easy entry and exit
- Rope construction makes it easy for kids’ hands to grasp
9. Best Plastic: Step2 Charming Cottage Kids Playhouse
Wooden playhouses are great, but so are plastic playhouses. One of the best plastic types on the market is the Step2 Charming Cottage. It features a classic playhouse design from the roof, door, and windows. It even comes with a built-in fireplace, a tabletop, molded-in storage, potted garden boxes, and a sink—allowing your kid to do all kinds of pretend play.
Aside from these, it’s designed with open window spaces. These allow good airflow inside and make it easier for parents to check what the kids are doing inside. Plus, even if it’s made of plastic, it does well outdoors, even in windy conditions.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (LxDxH): 58.8 x 50.1 x 58 inches
- Age Recommendation: 2 years old and above
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: Yes
What’s Great About It:
- Designed with a skylight in the roof for sunshine to get through
- Realistic stone texture and wood design
- Working doorbell for more realistic and imaginative plays
- Easy to assemble
- It comes with seats outside
10. Best Budget: Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse
Another good plastic option is the affordable Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse. It has a classic cottage design, including two windows with shutters, a working door, and a mail slot. It even has a realistic stone texture design that makes it look more like a wooden cottage. However, take note that compared to more expensive playhouses, this doesn’t have a lot of built-in features.
Specifications:
- Overall Dimensions (LxDxH): 35 x 43 x 49 inches
- Age Recommendation: 2 years old and above
- Indoor and Outdoor Use: Yes
What’s Great About It:
- Easy to assemble and move around
- Available in different color themes
- Open and spacious windows for easy parental supervision
Tips When Buying an Outdoor Playhouse
For an easier choosing and shopping process, make sure to consider these factors and follow these tips:
- Make Sure to Check the Size
It should fit the available space you have in your outdoor space. To ensure that, measure the space and compare the dimensions of a playhouse model to them. This way, you can ensure that you can set it up without any problem.
At the same time, it’s best to consider how big the inside of the playhouse is—it should be spacious enough for your kids. Even if you only have one kid, a tiny interior space can make it too limiting for them to have fun inside.
- Consider the Age Appropriateness
Your kid’s safety should be a priority, and one way to ensure that is to ensure that the playhouse can be used by children of their age. Keep in mind that some playhouses are designed for bigger or older kids, which means that younger ones may have a harder time using them.
So, always check if your kid’s age falls within the age recommendation range of the playhouse—manufacturers state them most of the time. Doing this will also help you ensure that your kid can use the playhouse for a long time and as they grow up.
- Look at the Design and Features
Playhouses come in various designs; some are made of plastic, wood, and even ropes and fabric. Determine what your kid would like to have, especially in terms of appearance and colors. Aside from that, always check the features that come with the playhouse.
Check if it has built-in interactive features such as a built-in kitchen, molded-in storage, windows, and more. These will contribute to more fun and imaginative pretend plays.
Conclusion
Playhouses are available in different sizes, designs, materials, and with different features. Make sure to consider what you and your kid want to make it easier to choose. Of course, you can refer to the list above for your best options. But if you want to check out more, you can visit our outdoor playhouse collection. We offer unique and quality products from which you can choose!