Children’s playhouses – our pick of the best

A children's playhouse is a fabulous way to keep little ones entertained, encouraging them to create their own adventures in the garden. Whether it's your child’s secret den, fairytale castle or log cabin, it's great way for children to enjoy imaginative playtime outside – ensuring hours of fun without having to leave home. Playhouses can be quite sophisticated, some of the wooden playhouse designs come complete with raised platforms, ladders, verandas and even mezzanine levels inside! Choose from pretty painted houses complete with a slide and balcony, colourful plastic designs, classic wigwam tents and cotton playhouses that can be used inside or out. It's a good idea to look for safety features on windows and doors too, to protect those little hands. Enjoy our edited selection of the best buys on the market, to help you choose the children's playhouse that's just right for your mini adventurers.

The Bunny playhouse is a great little place to play. The playhouse is supplied with a dip treated base coat preservative ready for top coating or painting to the customer's choice immediately on installation. FSC northern European pine. 

Honeywood Garden Buildings Bunny Playhouse, £299, House of Fraser (opens in new tab)

The Mercia double storey playhouse is the perfect place for your child's imagination to run wild. This deluxe playhouse includes a bunk floor with ladder, as well as window shutters and window boxes. Constructed from 12mm shiplap cladding. 

Mercia Double Storey Playhouse, £630, Littlewoods (opens in new tab)

Give your children a truly special playhouse with this barnhouse with extra-high roof. This tongue-and-groove constructed children's playhouse comes with solid sheet flooring. The building is also delivered with the roofing felt and base coat of treatment. Some home assembly required. 

Mercia Barnhouse Children's Playhouse, £459, Very (opens in new tab)

The Lodge playhouse has an in-built veranda and a split-level upper floor. The Lodge features attractive Georgian style safety windows with ultra safe hinges with rubber protector. Made from superior grade 12mm Fin. Shiplap cladding. 

Strongman Lodge Loglap Playhouse, £1107, Worldstores

This lovely play tent has plenty of room for Sitting Bull and Hiawatha. Washable canvas with sturdy wooden poles. Self-assembly required.

Hideout Wigwam, £65, Great Little Trading Company (opens in new tab)

A compact playhouse with a spacious verandah, integral shaded sandpit for extra fun. A sandpit cover is included to keep the sand clean. 100% wood. Slide sold seperately. 

TP FSC Forest Cottage, £494, Amazon (opens in new tab)

Floralie is a traditional-style playhouse with a strong plastic structure, featuring a wicket, windows, shutters, flower pots and an electronic doorbell. Made of plastic. Self-assembly. 

Smoby Floralie Playhouse, £225, Argos (opens in new tab)

This children's den makes a marvellous playhouse, with windows for them to peep out of. It makes a marvellous structure in your garden which children will love. Its handmade and very easy to assemble out of 4 seperate pieces. 100% hazel woven by hand. 

Children's Hazel Den, £299, Not On The High Street (opens in new tab)

This Kitty Playhouse is great for encouraging active outdoor play. Opening window and shady canopy ensures that the playhouse remains light and airy during the summer months. This playhouse is supplied unpainted. 12 mm Shiplap cladding. 

Kitty Playhouse, £236, B&Q (opens in new tab)

Give kids a quirky wooden playhouse alternative with this environmentally friendly corrugated cardboard version. Designed primarily for indoor use but suitable for outside use in dry calm conditions. This cardboard playhouse should be inspected regularly before, during and after use for any signs of damage which could cause potential injury.

Kid Eco Playhouse, £30, Not On The High Street (opens in new tab)