10 Best Outdoor Playhouses of 2024

I’m writing this Smoby Kids Customisable Friends Playhouse review straight off the back of building it, and having spent just under 2 hours in the garden putting it together, I can safely say I know it well!

It’s worth bearing in mind that I assembled it on my own, and another pair of hands would have of course sped up the process. But I wanted to surprise my little girl with it, so cracked on whilst she was out with her mum at a play group!

All in all, assembly was very straightforward and the instruction manual was easy to follow. Sometimes it can be a complete nightmare with things like this, but I was actually pretty impressed. The instructions were all presented as diagrams (no written explanations too) which speaks volumes about how clearly they were laid out.

I feel that it purely just takes a bit of time to build on your own because there are lots of parts to it.

Which leads on to my next point…

This playhouse is really well designed. It’s interesting for kids, and goes beyond the standard rectangular models that most come in.

Everything from the different height roofs to the dining bench that attaches to the side. There are multiple elements to it, making it a lot of imaginative fun for kids.

It’s also got good height, so if you have older siblings (like in my family), kids of multiple ages can enjoy it.

My kids have actually used this playhouse in a local cafe, which is partly why we bought it. They enjoy it every time we go back, which is important if you’re a parent looking to invest in a playhouse. You don’t want something your kids will get bored with quickly, and this model by Smoby has proved itself time and time again for us.

In terms of value for money, I feel that you get what you pay for. You can of course get budget playhouses, but my gut tells me the fun factor wanes quickly, so I’d much rather fork out a bit more and give my kids something I know they’ll get a lot of use out of.

Overall, when you compare the best playhouses on the market, for my family this one tops the list. It’s interestingly designed, straightforward to assemble, suitable for multiple age ranges and a lot of fun for kids.

The Smoby Kids Chef Playhouse and Kitchen is perfect for any aspiring chefs! Designed to inspire and captivate kids, whilst also teaching them valuable skills, this plastic playhouse is a fun choice for any children aged 3 and above.

This playhouse has an engaging, interactive design, resembling an adorable mini cafe with a serving hatch, movable shutters and a little kitchen inside. Measuring 120 x 50 x 92 cm, there’s not a huge amount of interior space, but it’s sufficient for one or two kids. Also, this can add to the appeals well – encouraging kids to take on the role of customers queuing outside the window to order!

On top of the interactive components that make up the structure itself, this plastic playhouse comes with loads of accessories that are sure to help an enthusiastic new cafe owner to run their business. There are toy food items, drinks, cutlery, a credit card reader, frying pan, ketchup/mustard sauces and more. There’s also two removable plastic “slates” included – so your child can let their customers know the daily menu and opening hours.

Perhaps the only downside when it comes to the design is the assembly time. Assembly takes approximately three hours as there are a lot of different parts to screw together. An extra pair of hands are almost certainly needed as well.

Made entirely from plastic, this outdoor playhouse is both durable and safe. It’s fully weather resistant and there are no sharp corners. The included accessories are designed specifically for children, although very young children may need extra supervision.

It’s one of the best children’s playhouses overall due to its fun design and inspiring set up, as well as the number of props and accessories provided.

For small gardens and patios, the Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse is a compact choice – it has a footprint of 108.6 x 88.9 cm and is one of the best children’s playhouses for anyone short on space.

Of course, due to its smaller size, this outdoor playhouse caters to a lower age range than others on this list. Even though Little Tikes state that it’s suitable for children of 18 months to 10 years, it’ll likely be too small for most children over five years old.

Nevertheless, if you’ve got younger kids, this playhouse’s compact nature could be very useful. It can be set up in the living room or kitchen, as well as outside.

Another benefit of this playhouse is that it’s easy to assemble. The pieces simply ‘click’ into place, and the entire house can be put together in under 30 minutes. Although there’s no built-in floor, so the interior may get muddy on rainy days, the playhouse is light enough to move when necessary (at 13.61 kg).

Even though it’s not too challenging to build, there are still plenty of interesting features on this outdoor playhouse. It has two stable doors that open and close, as well as two windows with hinged shutters. Additionally, there’s a fun letter box for posting mail into – a favourite activity of many toddlers!

Elements like this can encourage more imaginative play, so, although there’s not a huge amount of space inside for tables, chairs etc., it offers a great spot for children to hang out and store their toys.

Some smaller adults will still be able to fit inside the house as well (not standing up though, I’m afraid!) which can be useful for supporting and encouraging younger children to play inside. Of course, whether you’re allowed in may depend on whether you’ve been extended an invite for tea or not!

With plastic surfaces that are easy to wipe clean, this outdoor playhouse should last a long time and retain its condition. It’s one of the best children’s playhouses for small spaces, and it also has the benefit of being light enough to move around easily.

Designed to accommodate multiple children at once, the Smoby NEO JURA Lodge Playhouse has a spacious interior and is one of the best children’s playhouses for siblings. It measures 115.4 x 123.3 x 132 cm, making it one of the larger playhouses on this list.

The design of this plastic playhouse is high quality and the construction is sturdy. It’s made from tough plastic and there are several small details that make it more exciting for kids, such as the hinged shutters and doors. The interior is very simple, although there’s a range of extra add-ons that can be purchased separately to customise the house.

As well as having two stable doors and two shuttered windows, there are two plain windows and a bird feeder built into the house.

It’s easy for kids to enter and exit the playhouse, although there’s no floor so the interior may get muddy on wet days. Thankfully, this plastic playhouse weighs just 10 kg, so it can simply be lifted and moved to another spot in the garden whenever necessary.

Like most plastic playhouses, this model benefits from being weather resistant and easy to clean. The downside is that, due to its light weight, it may not do well if left outside in windy weather and should be moved to a sheltered spot if there’s a gale.

Despite this, it’s still a sturdy and well-designed house. In fact, it’s one of the best playhouses if you want something suitable for siblings, that can also be customised and added to in the future. Additional components available to purchase include a kitchen unit, picnic table, garden and doorbell.

Although simple in design, this plastic playhouse encourages imaginative play. The price may seem a little steep for a relatively simple house, but the spacious interior makes it a better value model than some others on the market.

Although many playhouses help children to develop useful skills such as imagination, independence and responsibility, the Feber Multicoloured Playhouse takes this one step further.

Designed to help little ones learn to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, this outdoor playhouse comes with a range of fun accessories. There are two recycling bins, a gardening planter, a rainwater collection container, a weather vane/windmill, a faux solar panel and a bird feeder/nest. All of these help children learn about, and appreciate, nature.

Thanks to the range of accessories, this playhouse is not only fun, but it’s also one of the best children’s playhouses if you’re after something educational. There aren’t many houses that are so geared towards teaching children about environmentally-friendly living.

It’s designed for children aged 2 and above, but older children will likely better appreciate the educational aspect. Plus, at 150 cm tall, it’s spacious enough for taller siblings or parents to sit inside and support younger kids.

Overall, this outdoor playhouse measures a spacious 150 x 150 x 165 cm and is the second largest of the options recommended on this page. The large open windows and stable-style door allow air to flow through, keeping the playhouse cool on hot days.

Assembly takes 1 – 2 hours (there are a lot of components) but is relatively simple – it’s just a case of patiently following the instructions.

There aren’t a lot of downsides to this house, and it’s a really interesting option that offers something a little different to children. Given its size, and all of the included features, it also offers great value for money alongside being educational.

Enchanting and engaging, the Feber Pink Fantasy Playhouse is a great option for younger children aged two and above.

This little outdoor playhouse measures just 85 x 108 x 124 cm which makes it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. It fits in small gardens but could also be set up in the living room or kitchen if needed. It’s lightweight, weighing just 13.2 kg, so can be moved around with ease – though you may find that it needs to be kept somewhere sheltered if the wind picks up.

Relatively simple in design but with a fairytale feel, this outdoor playhouse is decorated with snails, flowers and ladybirds. It’s also sure to delight any child with a love of pink! The interior isn’t the most spacious, but it can easily accommodate a couple of small children. The large windows allow you to keep an eye on what the kids are up to, whilst the hinged stable door gives them a sense of their own enclosed space.

One of the most appealing features of this playhouse for us adults is that it’s easy to assemble. In just 20 minutes, the entire house can be put up, and the only extra tool you need is a screwdriver.

In terms of entertainment, this outdoor playhouse is basic, but more than sufficient to delight younger children. It encourages imaginative play and is the perfect spot for kids to store their toys as well.

The plastic is sturdy and high quality; it’s both fully waterproof and UV resistant so the bright colours shouldn’t fade in strong sunlight. As mentioned, due to its light weight, it may need to be moved to a sheltered area or anchored down on very windy days.

All things considered, given the reasonable price, good size and excellent construction, this is one of the best children’s playhouses to buy on a budget. Although it may not have all the accessories and props of more intricate models, it’s sturdy and offers a great hangout for kids.

The Smoby Kids Nature Playhouse is a relatively simple outdoor playhouse, designed for kids aged 2+ and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Although the design of the playhouse is basic, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it allows children to use their imagination more creatively. It’s fairly spacious inside, measuring 98 x 110 x 127 cm, and can accommodate multiple kids at once. Thanks to this playhouse’s relatively compact footprint, it can be installed in small gardens or even set up in the living room.

Consisting of a cottage-style design with a stable door and two closing windows, this playhouse is comfortable and homely. The red roof and other bright colours are UV resistant, while the entire house is easy to clean. It weighs just 12.9 kg so can be moved around the garden if needed.

Now to the assembly… Unfortunately, this outdoor playhouse isn’t the simplest to construct. Putting it together can take over an hour, which is quite a long time for such a small house. Nevertheless, with some patience it does go together in the end.

Whilst simple in design, this playhouse is still bright and engaging for kids. The moulded animals and plants on the walls add to the fun, whilst the simple interior means kids have space to create their own games. However, if your children prefer a little more guidance when it comes to their games, you might want to look into other playhouses that come with accessories included. Also, it’s worth noting that you can’t add additional Smoby features – like their picnic table or garden – to this playhouse because they aren’t compatible.

Durability and safety-wise, this playhouse meets high standards. There are no sharp corners for children to injure themselves on, nor any small accessories that could be a choking hazard for younger children.  The plastic is good quality as well.

Overall, this is one of the best children’s playhouses for placing either indoors or outside. It’s light enough to move around, and sufficiently spacious, without taking up too much room.

In certain styles of garden, bright a plastic playhouse can look a little garish. If you’re looking for something a little more neutral and understated, the Big Game Hunters Evermeadow Wooden Playhouse is a good option to consider.

This cabin-style wooden playhouse has a natural design and will complement most gardens. Plus, there’s always the added benefit with a wooden playhouse that you can paint it any colour you want (if you choose to).

The playhouse has a spacious interior and can accommodate multiple children at once. It measures 126 x 105 x 95 cm and has a tall, hinged door. For added peace of mind, there are two child-safe windows installed into the playhouse; they allow in plenty of light, but are slatted which makes it impossible for children to climb out.

Also, in terms of size, this wooden playhouse is roomy but doesn’t take up an excessive amount of space. Plus, thanks to the natural design, it resembles more of an aesthetically-pleasing garden shed than a playhouse. It also comes with a floor (although it can also be purchased without one as well) which sets it apart from the other playhouses featured here. Naturally, a floor will stop the interior from getting too muddy on wet days.

Surprisingly, this wooden playhouse is relatively easy to assemble. It takes around 40 minutes, and instructions are clear. The only slight design flaw is that the door doesn’t stay closed in windy weather, so you may need to purchase a door latch separately.

Overall, this wooden playhouse has a simple and traditional design and no extra features. However, whilst this may sound like a negative point, it actually allows children to put their own stamp on the house. It can be decorated according to their instructions (!) and transformed into anything they like. For a child with a clear vision of how they’d like their playhouse to look, it’s absolutely perfect.

Of course, as this is a wooden playhouse, it does require more maintenance than a plastic model. The wood arrives untreated, so will need either varnishing or painting, and you’ll also need to purchase felt for the roof if you want it to be fully watertight. Once installed, it’ll be more of a permanent feature than plastic playhouses which can be moved around the garden.

To conclude, this is one of the best children’s playhouses if you would like a wooden model. It doesn’t take long to assemble, and ’s also a great choice because of its traditional design, and the way it can be painted to fit any child’s tastes.

For children of a range of ages, this Big Game Hunters Cafe Shop Wooden Playhouse allows children up to 8-years-old to set up shop in their own little cafe. As this is a wooden playhouse, it’s totally customisable in terms of colour and decoration, but is also equally as fun if left with its natural fir-wood finish.

This wooden playhouse has several wide open windows, acting as the counters for the cafe, as well as a couple of chalkboards for writing signs and menus. In total, this wooden playhouse measures 137 x 112 x 93 cm and is spacious enough for a couple of children to play alongside each other in the cafe. The space around the outside is equally as usable, offering the opportunity for siblings and friends to queue up and order “food”.

Unlike the plastic Smoby Kids Chef Playhouse (also featured on this page), which has a similar cafe theme, there are no additional accessories/utensils/fake foods included with the Big Game Hunters Cafe Playhouse. However, as a wooden playhouse, it has the benefit of being a more permanent structure compared to a plastic model, and it’s more suitable for older children as well.

Like most wooden playhouses, this model looks good in the garden – it doesn’t have the (sometimes garish) appearance of some plastic playhouses. This wooden playhouse can be painted in any colour you like, and it’s very easy to assemble. Putting it together takes around 40 minutes and it simply slots together.

The wood isn’t pre-treated, however, so you should varnish or paint the house before putting it outside. It also doesn’t come with a floor, although there is an option to purchase one as an add-on.

The beauty of this playhouse is that it encourages imagination, independence and teamwork. It’s also wonderfully versatile and can be transformed by your child into a cafe, ice cream parlour, shop… or anything else they fancy!

Given that the central interior height measures 137 cm, this is one of the best children’s playhouses for kids with a mix of ages. It’s a good size for children who are 3 – 8 years old, but is safety certified for children from 18 months+. If you have children with a bigger age gap, or want something that your kids can use for several years, it’s a great option to consider.

Perfect for young children aged between 2 and 5, the Dolu Indoor & Outdoor Waterproof Playhouse is compact and colourful. It has a fun, bright design that will appeal to younger kids.

The playhouse is relatively simple, with a hinged stable door that children will enjoy opening and closing. The house is made using bright pieces of plastic and decorated with colourful balloons and fireworks. It measures 125 x 100 x 104 cm so it’s relatively small, although the compact footprint means it’s perfect for small gardens, and it could also be installed in kitchens and living rooms.

Made from hard plastic, this playhouse is weather resistant and easy to clean. However, as it weighs just 11.42 kg, you may find it needs weighing down or moving to a sheltered spot when the wind picks up. The lack of floor also means the interior can get muddy, although the playhouse can simply be picked up and moved to another spot in the garden if the ground starts to get too downtrodden.

Overall, this is one of the best children’s playhouses for younger children; however, due to the small size, you may find they outgrow it relatively quickly. Nevertheless, thanks to the affordable price tag and engaging design, it’s a great option for parents with just one or two children under 5 years old.