Playhouses are fantastic additions to any family home, providing a dedicated space for children to play. These little homes can encourage creativity and independence whether placed indoors or outdoors. But with so many playhouse designs and features available, choosing the right one for your family can be challenging.
This article will list the best playhouses for indoor and outdoor. You will also learn the things to consider when buying one, creative kids' playhouse theme ideas, and some maintenance tips.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Playhouse
Choose the perfect playhouse for your child by considering their needs for safety and enjoyment. Here’s what to think about:
1. Size
Space in your home or yard is essential when picking a playhouse. To make sure the playhouse fits, measure the space. To fit in the room, consider the playhouse's height, especially if it's indoors.
A simple, single-story playhouse may be perfect for a tiny indoor space. A multi-story playhouse with a slide and sandbox may give lots of outdoor play.
2. Design
Designs should reflect your child's imagination and hobbies. Playhouses in cottage, castle, or modern styles can inspire different kinds of play. So, it would be best to choose designs that will adapt to your child's playstyle as they develop.
3. Accessories
Adding interactive components to accessories enhances play. Look for playhouses featuring:
- Kitchens
- Workbenches
- Slides
- Climbing walls
These accessories boost creativity and exercise. Some playhouses let you add or remove accessories to suit your child's interests. This versatility can make the playhouse more versatile as your youngster develops.
A little kitchen in a playhouse allows role-playing and teaches cooking and housekeeping. A climbing wall helps boost fitness and motor skills.
4. Material and Safety
The material of a playhouse impacts its longevity, safety, and maintenance. Wooden playhouses are sturdy, eco-friendly, and durable, especially when made from weatherproof cedar with strengthened joints. Plastic playhouses are lightweight, easy to clean, and have rounded corners for safety. UV-protected plastic is ideal for outdoor use to prevent color fading. Portable cloth playhouses are great for temporary setups.
To ensure safety, choose playhouses with smooth edges, non-toxic materials, and sturdy construction. Verify the presence of children's product safety certificates. Durability is crucial for outdoor playhouses, requiring quality construction and materials like treated wood or UV-protected plastic. Check playhouse doors and windows for safety latches to prevent trapping.
5. Price
There are different price ranges for playhouses. Create a budget that takes into account your finances and priorities. Be aware that more expensive versions usually have better durability and features.
Find the best deal by comparing models. A better material or more interesting accessory can be worth the extra money.
6. Suitability
Choose whether the structure will be outside or inside. Some playhouses are waterproof and made to be used outside, while others are light and easy to move inside for play.
For moving the playhouse between indoors and outdoors, pick one that is easy to take apart. This feature is helpful for families who move around a lot or need to store the playhouse during certain times of the year.
7. Assembly and Portability
Consider playhouse assembly complexity. Some models include pre-assembled panels, while others need more work. Assembly requires clear instructions and the necessary tools.
Choose a playhouse that's easy to deconstruct and move. Portable playhouses are perfect for families who move often or want to store them during specific seasons.
Top Indoor and Outdoor Playhouses
Now that you know how to choose one, check out these top indoor and outdoor playhouses, perfect for every family.
1. 2Mamabees Reign Two Story Playhouse
The 2MamaBees Reign Two Story Playhouse's white and black farmhouse style makes sensory play fun. This outdoor playhouse has a built-in kitchen, wooden play food, and cedar window boxes for a potted garden for imaginative play. Suitable for children aged 3 and up, it encourages both physical and mental development.
Features:
- Made from furniture-grade cedar wood
- Dimensions: 84" L x 152" W x 108" H
- Includes child-sized cooking tools
- Complies with CPSC requirements and F963 toy testing
- 5-year warranty against rot and decay of wood
2. Backyard Discovery Sweetwater All Cedar Wooden Playhouse
The Backyard Discovery Sweetwater Playhouse features a built-in kitchen with a sink and stove, and a cordless phone, giving a realistic play experience. Its charming design includes a side snack window, perfect for serving treats. Made from cedar wood, this playhouse is durable and suitable for outdoor use. Ideal for children aged 2 to 6 years, it promotes imaginative play.
Features:
- Dimensions: 46" D x 42" W x 55" H
- With working doorbell
- Includes pot holder and pan set with utensils
- Half-size hinged door for easy access
- Meets ASTM standards (F963-17)
3. 2MamBees Oceano Playhouse
Children love the 2MamaBees Oceano Playhouse's white and black farmhouse style. This playhouse encourages sensory and imaginative play with wooden play food and kitchen appliances for indoor or outdoor use. Made from furniture-grade cedar wood, it ensures durability and safety. Suitable for children aged 2 and up, it meets all CPSC requirements.
Features:
- Dimensions: 90" L x 68" W x 73" H
- Includes built-in kitchen
- Cedar window boxes for personal potted garden (flowers not included)
- Low VOC, PVC-free, lead-safe, no PFAS
- 5-year warranty against wood rot and decay
4. Step2 Naturally Playful Storybook Cottage
The Step2 Naturally Playful Storybook Cottage offers a fairytale experience with its faux stonework, thatched roof, and cozy interior. This durable plastic playhouse is easy to assemble. Ideal for indoor and outdoor play. It encourages creative and sensory play for one-and-a-half-year-olds.
Features:
- Dimensions: 65.75" W x 14" x D x 50" H
- Functional doorbell, windows, and skylight
- Molded-in sink, storage, and fireplace
- With double-walled plastic construction
- Colors resistant to chipping, fading, cracking, or peeling
5. 2Mamabees Zahara Playhouse
The 2MamaBees Zahara Playhouse has a full kitchen, cedar window boxes, and white and black farmhouse decor. Wooden play food and cooking utensils for indoor or outdoor use inspire creativity and imagination. Compatible for two-year-olds and older, it meets CPSC standards.
Features:
- Dimensions: 67" L x 49" W x 72" H
- Bench Length: 24"
- Door Height: 49.5"
- Low VOC, PVC-free, lead-safe, no PFAS
- 5-year warranty against wood rot and decay
6. KidKraft Modern Outdoor Playhouse
The KidKraft Modern Outdoor Playhouse is sleek and has a picnic table, chalkboard, and mailbox. Its strengthened wooden panels and water-resistant roof make it ideal for outdoor use. It fosters creativity and socialization in children aged three to eight years old.
Features:
- Dimensions: 48" D x 70" W x 62" H
- Built-in kitchen with fabric curtains
- Outdoor picnic table and grill station
- Wooden design can be painted
- Requires assembly with multiple parts
7. 2MamaBees Ajure Playhouse
The 2MamaBees Ajure Playhouse's white and black farmhouse style makes it one of the best choices. It encourages imaginative play with wooden play food and appliances for both indoors and outdoors. Safety and durability are guaranteed by furniture-grade cedar wood.
Features:
- Dimensions: 50" L x 46" W x 68" H
- Built-in kitchen
- Cedar window boxes for potted plants
- Low VOC, PVC-free, lead-safe, no PFAS
- 5-year warranty against wood rot and decay
8. Kidkraft Hillcrest Wooden Outdoor Playhouse
The Kidkraft Hillcrest Playhouse is designed to inspire imaginative play with charming details. Its large serving windows with a café-style canopy and two chalkboards provide interactive fun. Made from premium wood with a child-friendly stain, it’s durable and aesthetically pleasing. Suitable for children aged 3 to 10 years, it offers a fun and beautiful play environment.
Features:
- Dimensions: 56.7" H x 53.9" W x 53.9" D
- Working doorbell
- Functional mailbox
- Clock with movable hands
- Easy assembly with EZ Kraft Assembly™
9. Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse
The Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse is a stylish, easy-to-assemble playhouse perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. Durable plastic construction makes cleaning and upkeep simple. This playhouse from Little Tike is suitable for children between the ages of two and six years old.
Features:
- Dimensions: 49" H x 42.8" W x 35" L
- Victorian theme design
- Working door and windows
- Mail slot and flag holder
- Portable and easy to assemble
10. Step2 Charming Cottage Kids Playhouse
The Step2 Charming Cottage Playhouse offers a cozy and realistic play environment with its features. Inside, children can enjoy a kitchenette, fireplace, and molded-in sink and storage. This sturdy plastic playhouse is perfect for indoor and outdoor fun year-round. For ages two and older, it encourages imaginative play and sensory development.
Features:
- Dimensions: 58" L x 58.8" W x 50.1" H
- Functional doorbells and Dutch-style doors
- Skylight and windows for natural light
- Durable double-walled plastic construction
- Easy assembly and maintenance
Playhouse Theme Ideas
Your child's playhouse can become a magical place that inspires creativity with a theme. Consider these creative playhouse themes:
1. Jungle or Rainforest
Children can experience nature in a jungle or rainforest playhouse. Animal and nature-loving kids will love this theme for their outdoor playhouse. Here's how you should decorate your child's playhouse to get the jungle and rainforest theme:
- Use blue cloth and rocks to make a mini waterfall corner
- Drape synthetic leaves and vines around the playhouse
- Add greenery with indoor plants
- Add stuffed monkeys, parrots, and tigers for a jungle vibe
- Paint the interior green and brown to resemble a forest
2. Kitchen
A kitchen-themed playhouse allows children to engage in imaginative cooking and housekeeping activities. This setup encourages role-playing and helps kids learn about food and nutrition. Decorate your child's playhouse like this to achieve a bustling kitchen theme:
- Provide a tiny table and chairs for kids to serve and eat pretend meals
- Install a little kitchen with toy stoves, ovens, and sinks
- Add kiddy tools, pots, pans, and imaginary food
- Store and organize with mini shelves or cabinets
- Paint the walls bright colors to resemble a kitchen
3. Four Seasons
A four-season-themed playhouse can teach children about the different times of the year and their unique characteristics. This theme provides variety and keeps the playhouse interesting year-round. Here are some tips to help you achieve a season-themed playhouse for your kids:
- Use appropriate colors and decorations for each season
- Put up flowers for spring, leaves for autumn, snowflakes for winter, and sun motifs for summer
- Rotate seasonal decorations and accessories throughout the year
4. Witch’s or Fairy Cottage
A witch’s or fairy cottage-themed playhouse can transport children into a world of magic and fantasy. This theme is perfect for kids who love fairy tales and mystical stories. Decorate your child's playhouse with these tips to get the perfect result for a fairy tale theme:
- Set up a small potion-making station with jars, glitter, and pretend ingredients
- Paint the playhouse in whimsical colors like pink, purple, and gold for a fairy cottage or darker hues for a witch’s lair
- Add sparkly decorations, garden flowers, and fairy lights for a fairy theme
- Include a toy cauldron, broomsticks, and fake cobwebs for a witch’s lair
- Create enchanting pathways with stepping stones or small garden decorations
5. Rocket or Spaceship
A rocket or spaceship-themed playhouse can launch children into an intergalactic adventure. This theme is great for budding astronauts and fans of space exploration. Here are some tips to help you decorate a space-themed playhouse:
- Create a mission control area with solar system maps, walkie-talkies, and pretend mission logs
- Wrap the exterior with tin foil or metallic paint for a futuristic look
- Add control panels, buttons, and a steering wheel inside the playhouse
- Paint the interior with starry skies, planets, and galaxies
- Include astronaut costumes and space toys to enhance the experience
6. Magical Castle
A magical castle-themed playhouse can turn children into royalty in their fairy tale kingdom. This theme is perfect for kids who love stories of knights, princesses, and dragons. Here are some tips to help you decorate a magical-themed playhouse:
- Children can conduct court, read books, and play games on a royal throne with a chair and a little table
- Paint the exterior stone grey and build cardboard turrets
- Display banners, shields, and royal emblems
- Bring tiaras, crowns, capes, and swords
- To complete the theme, add a toy dragon and other fantastic creatures
Playhouse Maintenance Tips
A well-maintained playhouse keeps kids safe and entertained. Here are some basic playhouse maintenance tips you can do:
1. Dust and Clean Regularly
Keep your playhouse inviting by dusting and cleaning. Remove internal and external cobwebs and dust with a stiff-bristle brush. Wipe everything down with a pail of warm, soapy water. A few drops of eucalyptus or lavender essential oils repel insects and smell nice.
Set aside a monthly day for comprehensive cleaning. Engage your kids to teach them hygiene and responsibility.
2. Consider the Seasons
Playhouse maintenance concerns vary per season. Extreme weather can damage the playhouse, so precautions are needed.
Winter
Seal all wooden surfaces with a weatherproof sealer to avoid moisture damage. Make sure the roof is leak-free. Lift the playhouse to prevent water from accumulating at the base during heavy rains or snow melts.
Summer
Light-colored, UV-resistant paint reflects heat and prevents wood drying and cracking. Small vents promote ventilation and reduce excessive heat.
3. Check for Rotting Parts
Check the wooden parts of your playhouse for rot, especially near the ground or where water may collect. Rot should be addressed immediately to prevent spread. Rotting wood can weaken the structure, making it unsafe for kids.
Chisel out rotting wood, treat it with wood preservative, then fill it with wood filler. Apply new paint or wood treatment after sanding. Make sure to check under the floorboards and corners.
4. Inspect the Roof for Damage
A well-maintained roof keeps your playhouse dry and safe. After storms or strong winds, inspect the roof for tears, holes, or damage. Water leaks from a faulty roof can cause playhouse wood rot and mold.
Check your felt roof in spring and fall. Repair or replace broken parts quickly. Gutters divert water away from the structure, preventing wall and foundation damage.
5. Check Windows and Doors
Open and close windows and doors properly. Look for decay, cracks, or damage that could let water or pests in. Windows and doors must work to ventilate and prevent drafts.
Moisture can inflate wood, making doors and windows stick. Playhouse drainage and ventilation should be improved to reduce moisture buildup. Weather stripping prevents drafts and seals gaps.
6. Practice Exterior Maintenance
Playhouse exteriors are the first line of defense against weather. Regularly inspect and maintain paint or wood treatments to prevent weather damage. A clean exterior looks beautiful and improves the playhouse's lifespan.
To keep the exterior looking new and preserve it from moisture and UV rays, paint, or varnish every few years. Peeling paint or wood cracks should be addressed immediately.
7. Use Friendly Cleaning Solutions
Clean the playhouse with child-safe, non-toxic products. Do not use harsh chemicals that may harm children or materials. Children play safely in the playhouse with non-toxic cleaning.
General cleaning with vinegar and water is natural. Baking soda and water can safely remove harder stains. Antibacterial essential oils like tea tree oil can be added.
8. Prevent Pest Infestation
Playhouses can rapidly become uninviting with pests. Regularly inspect for insects and rodents and eliminate them. Pests ruin structures and make them unsanitary.
Stop bugs from entering through crevices. To repel bugs, put peppermint oil or diatomaceous earth around the playhouse. Clean up the area to reduce attractants.
Get the Best Kids Playhouse Today!
As a parent, buying a playhouse will create fun memories for everyone in the family. With this guide as your help, finding a kids' playhouse for your household is easier than ever. Each of these toy houses, from 2Mamabees Reign Two Story to Step2 Charming Cottage Kids will surely be a great addition to your home.
Check out this playhouse and let your children enjoy and learn as they grow.
