Outdoor playhouses are an excellent way to encourage kids to engage in imaginative play, as well as to get them outside and moving. When children have a space of their own to play, they can act out their favorite stories and fantasies, allowing their imaginations to run wild (1).
For many parents, having an outdoor playhouse brings back fond memories of their own childhood. Perhaps you had a playhouse outside when you were young, and it was one of your favorite places to hang out. Maybe you spent hours there, pretending to be a superhero, playing house, or running your own café.
It’s important to strike a balance between providing kids with a safe, structured environment to play in, and allowing them to be creative and come up with their own games and activities (2). The best outdoor playhouses offer both.
Our Top Picks
- Best Wooden Outdoor Playhouse: Backyard Discovery Sweetwater All Cedar Wooden Playhouse
- Best Plastic Outdoor Playhouse: Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse
- Best Outdoor Playhouse With Slide: Step2 Woodland Adventure Playhouse & Slide
- Best Outdoor Playhouse For Toddlers: Simplay3 Young Explorers Discovery Playhouse
- Best Outdoor Playhouse With Kitchen: Step2 All Around Playtime Patio
- Best Outdoor Playhouse For Small Backyard: Little Tikes Picnic on the Patio Playhouse
- Best Outdoor Playhouse Camper-Style: Step2 Adventure Camper Playhouse
- Best Outdoor Playhouse For Big Kids: Backyard Discovery Montpelier Playset Swing Set
- Best Modern Outdoor Playhouse: KidKraft Modern Outdoor Wooden Playhouse
- Best Two-Story Outdoor Playhouse: Backyard Discovery Echo Heights Elevated Cedar Playhouse
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Outdoor Playhouses Picks
Backyard Discovery Sweetwater All Cedar Wooden Playhouse – Best Wooden Outdoor Playhouse
- The instructions come in a manual and also an app that plays a step-by-step animation to guide you
- Great value and even comes with a little stove, sink, pots/pans, utensils, a phone, working doorknob, and doorbell
- Made of all wood
- Well made throughout
- Will take about 2-3 hours to assemble
Available in classic cedar or a modern white with black accents. This playhouse from Backyard Discovery features wide windows and a cute snack window, as well as a pretend stove, sink, and phone for endless imaginative play. The half-door is both functional and stylish, with flowerpot holders for seasonal decorations.
Whether you have one child or multiple, the Sweetwater playhouse will keep them entertained for hours. Plus, it’s easy to set up and ready for enjoyment right out of the box.
- Item Weight: 88.2 lbs
- Recommended Age: 2-6 years
- Dimensions: 24″ L x 46″ W x 55″ H
Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse – Best Plastic Outdoor Playhouse
- Suitable for younger toddlers
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Lightweight
- Very reasonable price
- Not a lot of accessories
Transform your playroom or backyard into a charming Victorian retreat with the Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse! Perfect for boys and girls, this blue and white playhouse is made of water-resistant material that will hold up in any weather. It has a real door, two windows with working shutters, a mail slot, and a flag holder to spark your child’s imagination. Setting it up is a breeze, so you and your child can start playing right away!
- Item Weight: 29.9 lbs
- Recommended Age: 2-6 years
- Dimensions: 41″ L x 31″ W x 13″ H
Step2 Woodland Adventure Playhouse & Slide – Best Outdoor Playhouse With Slide
- Drill locations are clearly marked and are extremely easy to drill out
- Very sturdy once assembled
- Has an included storage bin beneath
- Comes with a slide
- The roof does take 2 people to put on and lots of pressure to hold it in place
Your kids will love sliding down the long slide and playing pretend with the built-in sink and stove. The kitchen sink even has a rotating faucet for extra realism! Plus, the Dutch door adds to the fun, and the top viewing platform is perfect for taking in the view.
This playhouse is made to last with sturdy hardwood and EverTough resin construction, and the varied texture design gives it a timeless look. Plus, clean-up is a breeze with the handy drawer that tucks neatly under the playhouse.
- Item Weight: 176.4 lbs
- Recommended Age: 3-8 years
- Dimensions: 70″ L x 67.99″ W x 75.98″ H
Simplay3 Young Explorers Discovery Playhouse – Best Outdoor Playhouse For Toddlers
- All of the pieces are well-marked and fit together nicely
- Perfectly sized for a toddler
- The slide has a nice dip in the end, with no flying off
- Quality materials
- Not suitable for older kids
This amazing two-story playhouse comes with a lower-level crawling room and rooftop peek portals! It’s even equipped with a fake kitchen for some serious pretend play, drink holders, an artboard with paper clips, and a marker tray for endless fun. And with two functional doors with mail holes, your child can really feel like they have their own little house.
Plus, the double-wall plastic construction offers rounded edges for safety, is weather and UV resistant, and can handle years of rough play. And get this, it even fits through a typical door frame for easy inside-outside transitions!
- Item Weight: 57.2 lbs
- Recommended Age: 18 months – 6 years
- Dimensions: 29.5″ L x 57.75″ W x 58.25″ H
Step2 All Around Playtime Patio – Best Outdoor Playhouse With Kitchen
- Easy to setup
- There are two sinks for water or sand
- The tent protects little ones from the sun
- Lots of space to play
- When assembling you have to put in screws but there are no pre-drilled holes, so you need a drill
Your kids can have their own backyard parties with the linked sand and water play table, and even have a pretend meal at the kitchen table with the included dish set. This 16-piece accessory package also includes pretend cookware and utensils for extra pretend play.
This playhouse features a realistic stone-stacked design that will seamlessly fit into any backyard setting. And is made to last for years to come with its strong and durable double-walled construction, this playhouse is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Item Weight: 40 lbs
- Recommended Age: 2-6 years
- Dimensions: 47.5″ L x 47.5″ W x 60″ H
Little Tikes Picnic on the Patio Playhouse – Best Outdoor Playhouse For Small Backyard
- Very sturdy
- Easy to setup
- Very cute design with a patio
- Good for small spaces
- It is a small house
The Little Tikes Picnic on the Patio Playhouse is the ultimate playhouse that your little one will love! With complete 20-piece accessories set including play food, silverware, and even a pretend phone, your child will have everything they need for a fun-filled afternoon.
The interior kitchenette provides the perfect spot for them to whip up some pretend hot dogs and enjoy them at the adjoining picnic table. And don’t forget the electronic doorbell – just like a real house!
- Item Weight: 65 lbs
- Recommended Age: 18 months – 5 years
- Dimensions: 47.5″ L x 45.5″ W x 15.5″ H
Step2 Adventure Camper Playhouse – Best Outdoor Playhouse Camper-Style
- A ton of super cool accessories that really do make your little one feel like they are hosting their own BBQ
- Very easy to assemble
- Can be used indoors/outdoors
- Sturdy
- Make sure to have triple-A batteries for the doorbell
This versatile camp-style playhouse can be used both indoors and outdoors and features large windows and a Dutch-style door so you can easily supervise your little ones. With an open-concept layout and plenty of pretend play activities, your child can develop their creativity, role-playing, and other skills.
Plus, the 50-piece accessory set that comes with the playhouse includes kitchen items such as play food and utensils to enhance the fun. Made from sturdy double-walled plastic with molded-in colors that won’t chip, fade, fracture, or peel, this playhouse requires little maintenance and is built to last.
- Item Weight: 60 lbs
- Recommended Age: 2 – 8 years
- Dimensions: 50″ L x 36″ W x 63″ H
Backyard Discovery Montpelier Playset Swing Set – Best Outdoor Playhouse For Big Kids
- Comes with a lot of accessories like a swing set and slide
- Good quality
- Can accommodate multiple kids
- Good number of features
- Takes about 2 days to fully assemble
The Montpelier swing set is a beautiful and fun-filled playhouse that offers countless hours of entertainment for children. It includes an upper discovery fort with lots of play space, a front sun porch, monkey bars and ladder, a snack kiosk with a built-in bench, a sandbox area, belt swings, and a two-person glider.
The playhouse is entirely constructed of sturdy cedar wood, which is resistant to both rot and natural decay. Additionally, each lumber is cut, branded with the component number, and pre-stained for a smooth and clear look, making assembly quick and easy. The laminated swing beam is also designed with steel clam-shell brackets to ensure safe swinging.
- Item Weight: 336 lbs
- Recommended Age: 3 – 10 years
- Dimensions: 187″ L x 191″ W x 113″ H
KidKraft Modern Outdoor Wooden Playhouse – Best Modern Outdoor Playhouse
- Small footprint
- Great DIY project
- Easy to put together, the wood makes it looks cool
- Functional space
- Hard to move once assembled
This playhouse is a blank canvas, waiting for your child’s imagination to bring it to life! You can either paint it or add accessories and decorations to customize it to your liking. It’s the perfect place for your child to explore and discover a whole new world without ever leaving your backyard.
The built-in kitchen and picnic table make for great pretend play opportunities, while the blackboard and functional mailbox add to the fun. Plus, the playhouse is made with preassembled hardwood panels for easy installation and weather resistance.
- Item Weight: 116.9 lbs
- Recommended Age: 3 – 10 years
- Dimensions: 70.08″ L x 48.9″ W x 62.24″ H
Backyard Discovery Echo Heights Elevated Cedar Playhouse – Best Two-Story Outdoor Playhouse
- Instructions are clear
- Can fit about 2 kids
- Veryt sturdy quality
- The parts are mostly cut and drilled to exact dimensions so you really won’t need to compensate anywhere
- The slides get hot in the sun
This fun and compact playhouse is jam-packed with exciting features that are sure to keep your little ones entertained for hours on end. With a stovetop, battery-operated appliances, and plenty of accessories, the play opportunities are endless.
The operable hinged door and large open windows make it easy to keep an eye on your kids while they play, and the wide-rung ladder ensures that kids of all ages and skill levels can easily climb up and down. And with a handy growth board attached, you can track your child’s height and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Plus, with its elevated design, the Echo Heights combines all the best features of a classic playhouse with the added fun of elevated play.
- Item Weight: 114.6 lbs
- Recommended Age: 3 – 10 years
- Dimensions: 122.05″ L x 74.8″ W x 90.55″ H
How To Choose The Best Outdoor Playhouses?
- Safety: It is important to carefully examine the design for any potential risks such as sharp edges or pinch points that could cause harm to your child. If the playhouse is made of wood, be sure to run your hands along the surface to check for rough areas that could cause splinters.
- Material: While some wooden playhouses are crafted from sturdy, treated wood that can withstand years of use, others may be made from flimsier materials. Similarly, not all plastic playhouses are of the same quality. Rather than choosing between wood and plastic, it’s important to focus on the construction and materials used in the playhouse.
- Floor: Having a floor in your playhouse is particularly important if you cannot place it on a secure platform, such as a concrete or wooden surface. However, if you have a grassy or sandy area that is child-safe, then the absence of a floor may be less significant.
- Durability: A playhouse made of polyester tent material may be a good option for summer or in a warm, dry climate. However, it may not be suitable for harsh winter temperatures. On the other hand, plastic playhouses may not be ideal for hot, dry environments as they can quickly fade and even crack.
- Extra Features: Outdoor playhouses come in different styles, and while some may just be basic boxes with a few openings for doors and windows, others may offer more features. However, if you choose an open-style playhouse, it is important to be aware of potential risks such as exposure to weather and local wildlife. On the other hand, a playhouse with windows allows more natural light to come in, while a door that can be closed provides little children with the privacy they need to engage in imaginative play without interruptions (3).
Are Outdoor Playhouses Worth It?
Absolutely! Outdoor playhouses provide a safe and fun environment for children to engage in imaginative play, get fresh air, and exercise. They offer a break from screen time and encourage children to explore and create their own adventures.
In addition, outdoor playhouses can be a valuable investment as they can last for many years and provide countless hours of entertainment for children. They also come in a variety of sizes and styles, so you can choose one that fits your child’s interests and your backyard space.
It is important to take note that recent studies suggest that playgrounds and bounce houses create microclimates with potentially dangerous conditions elevating the risk of heat-related illnesses (4).
What Is The Best Age For An Outdoor Playhouse?
Children between the ages of 2 and 10 will get the most enjoyment out of an outdoor playhouse. Younger children may require more supervision, while older children may enjoy more complex and interactive playhouses which include swing sets or swings.
What Is The Best Surface For A Playhouse?
Some common surfaces include grass, sand, pea gravel, and rubber mulch. It is important to choose a surface that is safe for children and provides adequate shock absorption in case of falls. Additionally, the surface should be well-draining to avoid puddles and mud.
