Best Kids' Playhouses of 2026
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Kids' playhouses are the perfect addition to any backyard or play area. These miniature houses are designed to provide children with a fun and safe space to play and let their imaginations run wild. With a variety of sizes and styles available, there is sure to be a playhouse that will fit any family's needs. From classic wooden designs to modern plastic structures, these playhouses are built to last and withstand the wear and tear of active play. Whether used for imaginative play or as a cozy retreat, a kids' playhouse is sure to become a beloved part of any child's childhood memories.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Kids' Playhouses
ORIAN Princess Castle Playhouse Tent for Girls with LED Star Lights
The ORIAN Princess Castle Playhouse Tent is made of ultra-thick 230 Polyester Taffeta, making it highly durable and compatible for both indoor and outdoor play. It is designed to meet the safety standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials, ensuring that only quality, raw materials are used, and comes with an FCC certified 4.5M string of LED star lights to create a dreamy environment. It is also easy to clean and maintain.
Easy Playhouse Gingerbread House Cardboard Fort
The Easy Playhouse Gingerbread Fort lets your child design and decorate their own festive gingerbread house using markers, crayons, or paint, encouraging creativity and personalization. This fun cardboard playhouse doubles as a cozy fort or tent, perfect for imaginative play and reading adventures, complete with winter-themed decorations like candy canes and a snowman. It includes two mail slots so kids can send and receive letters, adding an interactive and social element to playtime. Made in the USA, this sturdy, easy-to-assemble fort is over three feet tall, making it a durable indoor and outdoor play space your child will love.
Bankers Box Gingerbread Color-In Playhouse
The Bankers Box Color-In Playhouse lets your child dive into a world of creativity by designing their own playhouse using markers, crayons, or paint. This feature encourages kids to express their imagination freely, making each playhouse uniquely theirs. It also offers a fun way for family and friends to join in, as the playhouse includes working windows and doors for interactive and social playtime. Plus, it serves as a fantastic gift that kids will love and parents will appreciate, whether they want to join the fun or watch their child play independently. This playhouse turns creative play into a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Bankers Box Color In Unicorn Playhouse
The Bankers Box Color Playhouse lets your child dive into a world of creativity by giving them a life-sized space to decorate as they choose. You can encourage your kids to express themselves by coloring the playhouse with markers, crayons, or paint, making it truly their own. This playhouse also promotes quality time, inviting family and friends to participate in the fun with its openable windows and doors, turning it into the perfect interactive hangout. Plus, it makes a great gift that keeps kids busy and entertained, while giving parents the option to join in or relax as their child plays independently.
Garvee Outdoor Playhouse
The Garvee Playhouse is a delightful cottage-style playhouse designed for kids aged 3 and up, encouraging creativity with its charming fairy tale look. It comes with fun features like a magnetic dartboard, basketball hoop, ring toss, and soccer goal, which let your child enjoy active and imaginative play. Assembly is simple and quick thanks to easy-to-follow instructions, so you can have it ready in no time. Plus, its roomy design offers plenty of space for siblings or friends to join in, making playtime social and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Power Your Fun Fun Forts Glow Fort Building Kit
The Power Your Fun Glow Fort Kit lets you create endless glowing forts, tunnels, and play tents using 53 glow-in-the-dark rods and 28 connecting spheres. These pieces light up after being exposed to light, so you can enjoy building and playing in the dark. This kit encourages STEM learning by helping you develop basic engineering skills as you twist and connect the rods and spheres into different shapes. It comes with a helpful building guide and is made from safe, BPA-free plastic, perfect for kids 4 years and older to explore their creativity indoors or outdoors.
ArtCreativity Gingerbread House Craft Kit with 24 Crayons
The ArtCreativity Gingerbread Playhouse offers a giant coloring experience with its large 40" x 32" x 27" cardboard house, giving you plenty of space to create a festive design. It includes 24 bright crayons, including extra brown shades, so you can easily bring candy canes, gumdrops, and frosting decorations to life with vibrant colors. This kit is perfect if you want a mess-free activity since it requires no glue or paint, making cleanup simple and stress-free. Plus, it's a great way to enjoy quality time with family or engage children in holiday creativity, whether at home or school.
TOTE•A•FORT Original Blanket Fort Kit
The TOTE•A•FORT Fort Kit lets your child dive into creative play with easy-to-build forts, making setup simple and enjoyable for both kids and parents. Its large blanket panels provide plenty of space, perfect for playdates or sleepovers, so your child can create a cozy hideout. With a variety of colors and kit sizes, you can personalize the fun to match your child's style and keep their interest alive. Cleanup is hassle-free, as everything packs neatly into the included tote, saving you time and effort after playtime. This kit encourages imagination while keeping things organized and stress-free.
W&O Dino Super Dome Play Tent
The W&O Dino Dome Tent offers a fun and immersive dinosaur adventure for kids. With its roar button featuring six different dinosaur sounds, you can bring the prehistoric world to life and keep your child entertained. The tent also includes six bonus dinosaur toys and LED lights that you can control remotely, allowing you to create a magical atmosphere for playtime or bedtime stories. Its spacious interior and vibrant dinosaur artwork give your little ones plenty of room to imagine and explore together. Whether indoors or outdoors, this tent transforms any space into a cozy and exciting hideaway that your kids will love.
Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse - Blue
The Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse is a multifunctional playhouse that can be used both indoors and outdoors. Its design helps in developing your child's fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, social and emotional skills, and other developmental skills. This playhouse is durable and safe, made with robust materials and cut with precision. Assembly is easy and hassle-free with step-by-step instructions included.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What age is appropriate for a playhouse?
The appropriate age range for a playhouse can vary depending on the design. Some playhouses are suitable for children aged 3 to 8, while others may be more appropriate for children aged 3 to 12. Generally, outdoor playhouses are recommended for children between 18 months and 8 years old.
2. Why are playhouses so expensive?
Playhouses can be expensive due to factors like the materials used, sturdy construction, and size. Natural wood playhouses tend to be more expensive compared to plastic playhouses. Prices can range from around $400 up to $2000 for wooden playhouses. Plastic playhouses are the second most expensive option.
3. Are playhouses good for kids?
Yes, playhouses are beneficial for kids. They provide a space for children to engage in imaginative play, fostering creativity and imagination. Kids can pretend to be different roles or engage in activities like arts and crafts. Playhouses offer a fun and interactive environment for children to enjoy themselves and spend time.
4. How much does it cost to build a children's playhouse?
The cost of building a children's playhouse can vary depending on factors like size, materials, and customization. A DIY playhouse kit can cost anywhere from $2000 to $4000. Additional costs may be incurred if you choose to customize the playhouse with paint, floor kits, shingles, or slides.
5. Are outdoor playhouses worth it?
Yes, outdoor playhouses are worth it as they provide endless opportunities for children to engage in imaginative play. They can act out various roles and activities, allowing them to explore their creativity and have fun. Outdoor playhouses offer a space where children can enjoy and create their own adventures.
6. What should I put under my kids playhouse?
There are several options for what to put under a kids' playhouse. Rubber mulch and engineered wood fiber provide cushioning and require low maintenance. Sand and pea gravel are affordable options that offer good drainage. Wood chips are a natural choice but require more maintenance.
7. Are plastic or wooden playhouses better?
Plastic playhouses are more suitable for toddlers as they are affordable and easy to move around. However, they may be quickly outgrown. If you want a playhouse that will last, it is best to choose a wooden playhouse. Wooden playhouses are more durable and offer longevity.
8. Is it cheaper to build or buy a playhouse?
Building a playhouse yourself can be cheaper compared to buying one. DIY playhouses can range from $1000 to $5000, depending on the materials and customization. This is more affordable compared to the cost of customized playhouses, which can range from $3000 to $100,000. Reviewing options and considering your budget is important.
During our kids' playhouse research, we found 24 kids' playhouse products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 202,758 customer reviews through our big data system to write the kids' playhouses list. We found that most customers choose kids' playhouses with an average price of $34.91.
The kids' playhouses are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of kids' playhouses, including Orian, Easy Playhouse, Bankers Box, Garvee, Power Your Fun. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 129 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Jimmy Roof is a toy designer who lives in Chicago with his family. He works in a big toy firm, so he is surrounded by toys every day. Throughout his career, he has developed expertise in children's toys, baby products and preschool education. Jimmy Roof often publishes articles related to toys on key websites.
Kids' Playhouses Comparison Table
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| Brand | Orian | Easy Playhouse | Bankers Box | Bankers Box | Garvee | Power Your Fun | ArtCreativity | TOTE•A•FORT | W&O | Little Tikes |
| Item Weight | 3.5 pounds | 4.8 pounds | 5.8 pounds | 5.8 pounds | 38 pounds | 4.54 pounds | 5.09 pounds | 2.2 pounds | 2 pounds | 29.9 pounds |
| Manufacturer recommended age | 3 years and up | 3 years and up | 3 years and up | 3 years and up | 3 months and up | 4 years and up | 3 years and up | - | 3 years and up | 24 months - 6 years |
| Release date | - | October 18, 2019 | October 7, 2020 | August 3, 2021 | December 28, 2025 | February 18, 2025 | - | - | - | January 31, 2020 |
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