The Best Kids’ Playhouses To Inspire Hours Of Pretend Play

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Following Sep 19, 2023, 04:06pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin If you’re looking for a creative way to get your kiddos off screens and outside more, consider a kids’ playhouse, which offers endless opportunities for imaginative play and can help burn all that extra energy off. For little ones who like alone time, they make an excellent hideaway or the perfect space to climb, slide, explore, dig in the sand, put their chef hats on, shoot hoops, play with friends and so much more. Designed for children as young as 18 months, the best playhouses are the perfect backdrop for hours .

. . [+] of imaginative fun.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers There are endless benefits to providing your child with a playhouse of their own, according to Amanda Vierheller, COO and Co-Founder of Playgarden Online . “Kids’ playhouses are magical places for little ones to enjoy experiential play and follow their curiosity,” she says. They help develop cognitive, gross motor, social and emotional skills, as well as encourage problem solving and language development through playing with peers.

“They also provide children with opportunities to learn through sensory exploration and promote creativity and imagination through hands-on play. ” Ready to start (play)house hunting? From modern homes you’ll want to “live” in to lightweight cottages with the cutest kitchens, here are the best kids’ playhouses to purchase now. Best Kids’ Playhouse Overall: Step2 Charming Cottage Kids Playhouse Best Value Kids’ Playhouse: Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse Best Playhouse for Toddlers: Simplay3 Young Explorers Discovery Playhouse Best Playhouse For Big Kids: Backyard Discovery Beacon Heights Elevated Playhouse Best Wooden Kids’ Playhouse: Kidkraft Hillcrest Wooden Outdoor Playhouse Best Kids’ Playhouse For Sensory Play: Step2 All Around Playtime Patio Best Modern Kids’ Playhouse: Backyard Discovery Sweetwater Modern Outdoor Wooden Playhouse Best Indoor Kids’ Playhouse: Superspace The New Big Set Best Kids’ Playhouse Overall A Cozy, Open-Concept Playhouse Packed With Pretend Play Features Amazon Step2 Charming Cottage Kids Playhouse The fun begins soon as little ones step inside this charming Step2 cottage, after ringing the real doorbell and swinging open the dutch-style door of course.

There’s a little fireplace to read books or “roast” marshmallows by, a play sink with an outdoor tabletop for serving up snacks (and bench seating to enjoy them at), plus molded-in storage to stash toys, pretend food and more. The flower boxes are great for budding gardeners looking to plant their own stuff—real or fake—too. Some other key features to love about this playhouse, according to real parent reviewers, are its relative ease of assembly, durability and the fact that it can entertain kiddos through a range of different ages.

Several reviewers reported how theirs still looked brand new after many years of use too, thanks to the weather-resistant exterior. Best Value Kids’ Playhouse A Budget-Friendly Option That’s Easy To Clean And Move Around Amazon Little Tikes Cape Cottage Playhouse Several mom friends I spoke with wish they had purchased a simple plastic kids’ playhouse like this Little Tikes Cottage for ease of assembly, portability and the fact that it’s so easy to wash off with a hose and make look brand new again. Best suited for toddlers and preschoolers, little ones love the working door, two windows with shutters that open (to peep their heads out of, of course) and the mail slot to deliver important documents and letters to siblings.

You can use it indoors or out, or move it around to different spots in the yard so it won’t destroy your grass. At about $120, you really can’t beat the price. Best Playhouse For Toddlers A Versatile Playhouse For Little Movers And Climbers Amazon Simplay3 Young Explorers Discovery Playhouse From cooking and climbing to crawling and creating art, there’s so much fun to be had inside this plastic playhouse.

It’s super lightweight and fits through a standard-sized door, so you can easily bring it in to burn some big toddler energy on a rainy day. Favorite features include the mini play kitchen, climbing ramp and ladders with toddler-friendly hand and foot holds, art board with a marker tray, mail slots and the little tunnels on the bottom for tiny ones to crawl through. The peek portals up top are a big hit with toddlers too.

Because it’s modular, as your little one grows, you can add on to it with other sets to create a bigger play structure. Best Playhouse For Big Kids An Elevated Playhouse That’s Built To Last Amazon Backyard Discovery Beacon Heights Elevated Playhouse Take their play to new heights with this sturdy, two-story cedar wood playhouse that thrills preschoolers and their big siblings. The bottom can be kept open for imaginary play, or you can stick a sandbox or baby pool underneath to create a separate sensory zone.

Kiddos get a kick out of climbing the ladder and cooking in the clubhouse up top, which has a cool stovetop and battery-powered blender for whipping up pretend smoothies and more. Getting down is even more fun with the 6-foot wave slide featuring a railing to help prevent falls. This kids’ playhouse is great for siblings of various ages and makes a great hideaway (similar to a treehouse) for older ones to have their own private space.

According to the manufacturer, it’s recommended for ages 2 to 8. Best Wooden Kids’ Playhouse A Chic House That Doubles As An Adorable Cafe Amazon Kidkraft Hillcrest Wooden Outdoor Playhouse Our neighbors have this premium wooden playhouse and all the kids on the block—ages 4 through 6—really enjoy playing in it. “We’ve had it for 2 years and it has held up really well,” says mom-of-one Amanda.

“Our 5-year-old loves the doorbell and checking the mailbox for letters. The planter box is also so cute!” There’s a clock with moveable hands, a doorbell that actually rings and large serving windows with a cafe-style canopy, plus two chalkboards for creating a daily menu or just drawing in general. It’s big enough that all three of our kiddos can comfortably play inside together too.

And for the price, it’s really good quality. Best Kids’ Playhouse For Sensory Play A Shaded Playhouse With A Built-In Water And Sand Table Amazon Step2 All Around Playtime Patio Grill and chill in this spacious, pavilion-style playhouse that’s perfect for summertime sensory play, thanks to a built-in sand and water table, as well as an adorable molded-in sink kids can wash dishes in. It has an adorable little BBQ area for little ones to cook out and a snack table they can enjoy “eating” all their creations at.

Best of all, it’s completely covered with a canopy so there’s always shade to keep little ones cool and protected on warm days. With an impressive 4. 8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, this popular playhouse is big enough to fit multiple children and comes with a 16-piece accessory set that includes pretend pots, pans, plates, grilling utensils and a cool water spinner they’ll love.

Parents appreciate how easy it is to clean with a quick wipe down. Best Modern Kids’ Playhouse An Updated Wooden Playhouse That Looks Nice In The Backyard Amazon Backyard Discovery Sweetwater Modern Outdoor Playhouse If you’re like me and would prefer a pretty playhouse that looks straight off of Redfin, then this top-rated, modern model from Backyard Discovery is an excellent choice. It’s made of high-quality, durable cedar wood that’s rot-resistant and able to withstand the elements.

Tiny gardeners can delight in picking flowers and creating their own mini bouquets to decorate the flowerpots flanking the front door. A real working doorbell is sure to entertain, as is a custom snack window, sink and stove—with included pots and pans—for playing pretend restaurant. Their own cordless phone is just the cherry on top for placing orders, calling friends or wherever their imagination takes them.

The Best Indoor Kids’ Playhouse Let Their Imaginations Run Wild With This Magnetic Panel Playhouse Superspace US Superspace The New Big Set Buy From Superspace US Like MagnaTiles but much bigger, this Superspace playhouse is the ultimate fort builder, allowing kiddos to create whatever they can dream up—from a movie theater to a pirate ship or their very own restaurant. Vierheller is a huge fun. “Constructing your own playhouse combines problem solving, building and creativity and lets kids create a new space every time to accommodate a variety of activities.

” This set includes 22 panels in different shapes for unlimited open-ended play where little ones make the rules. Parents like that the eco-friendly panels—made from recycled plastic bottles—can easily be stacked and stored away when playtime is over. You also have the option to add on extra panels for even more building possibilities.

MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Hardside Luggage To Bring On Every Type Of Trip By Astrid Taran Forbes Staff The Best Cordless Vacuums For Pet Hair That Are Powerful And Effective By Camryn Rabideau Contributor How We Chose The Best Kids’ Playhouses To get a feel for what features to look for when curating this list, I spoke to two different play experts, including an interior designer who specializes in creating Pinterest-worthy kids’ playrooms, as well as the co-founder and curriculum developer of an NYC preschool. Moreover, I asked my group of mom friends what they loved (and didn’t love) about the playhouses they’ve owned, and took into account my own personal experience watching my kiddos play at a neighbor’s wooden playhouse down the street. To make the cut, all playhouses included on this list received at least 4.

4 out of 5 stars and mostly rave reviews by real parents. What To Consider When Shopping For Kids’ Playhouses Design Designed for children as young as 18 months all the way through elementary school, the best kids’ playhouses are safe, well-made and age-appropriate. “Sturdy platforms, rounded edges and railings that are high enough to prevent falls are crucial,” says Amanda Vierheller.

She recommends looking for a playhouse that allows for physical, social and imaginative play to promote whole-child development. And, of course, for parents who don’t want a huge eye sore, a playhouse that’s aesthetically-pleasing is important too. Other things to consider are how easy the playhouse is to assemble, clean and move around—should you want to.

Size When purchasing a playhouse online, Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart Playrooms , suggests looking at the size and height of the playhouse. “If the interior space is too small, kids won’t be able to play inside, which is the fun part for them,” she says. “If the height is too low, children also won’t be able to stand in it or they will outgrow it too quickly,” she warns.

You’ll also want to keep in mind any space constraints you have when it comes to your backyard or living room. It’s always a good idea to measure the area where you intend to put the playhouse and then check dimensions before you make a purchase, so that you can be sure it will fit. Coupons Naked Wines Link to Coupon Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.