10 outdoor playhouses that kids will play in for hours and hours

Let’s be honest. Not every play structure is an attractive addition to your outdoor space. This one on the other hand turns your yard into a kid-friendly oasis. Designed by a toy industry expert and mom of three, Bijou Build’s modular play structure is all at once a place to play and relax, with endless possibilities for expansion. (It’s also designed to never end up in a landfill.) The standard package includes the Clamber Climing Wall and a cozy 5 foot hover platform for inside. Want to expand? You can add another and connect with a rope bridge. Or hang the Bijou Sway swing inside and sip your coffee in the shade. It’s truly an investment for the entire family!

More than just a humble abode, the action-packed Adventure Camper Playhouse from Step2 offers kids tons of different ways to play. From camping to cooking, playing house or playing restaurant, the open design allows multiple kids to play at once, all in full view. There’s a variety of lights and sounds including a working doorbell and best of all, it comes with over 50 accessories to grill and serve their meals of the day. And like everything from Step2 it’s super easy to put together and built to last through multiple kiddos.

If you’re house-hunting on a budget (who isn’t?!) the sweet Cape Cottage Playhouse from Little Tikes is a great option. It’s got two working doors, windows and shutters along with a mail slot and flag holder to make it feel like home. The inside is spacious enough for two kids to play and its lightweight construction makes it easy to move indoors when the weather cools down. Best of all, reviewers agree it’s simple to put together with minimal tools!

If you’re looking for a sturdy cedar playhouse on a budget, you’ve found it. And despite its wallet-friendly price, the Sweetwater Indoor/Outdoor Cedar Playhouse from Backyard Discovery doesn’t lack amenities. It’s packed to the brim with features that are sure to delight kids 3-8. There’s the mini kitchenette perched on the windowsill, a play phone affixed to the wall inside, a snack window for handing out treats, and flower pots outside to liven up the look. There’s even a working doorbell to announce guests arrivals. It’s roomy enough for up to four kiddos and provides plenty of opportunity for years of imaginative play.

Like a scaled down version of something we’ve definitely seen on “Tiny House, Big Living,” this modern wooden playhouse feels very of-the-moment. (Listen, in this housing market I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve been contemplating an abode like this yourself.) The full-size door makes it cozy and private while the picnic table outside makes a great place to socialize. There’s also grill built onto the windowsill for whipping up meals, a tiny sink and even a mailbox with a flag that moves up and down. It’s made from treated hardwood and with a little care and upkeep can last for years!

With high marks for quality and aesthetics, The KidKraft Greystone Playhouse is a stellar buy. In addition to homey exterior details like a working doorbell, picket fence, and airy windows it’s well designed for imaginative play inside as well. It’s equipped with a built-in sink and burner and comes with 13 cooking and play food accessories so they can whip up a meal before serving it through the window to their waiting customers. Not surprisingly, the highlight is the kid-sized doggy door to crawl through.

With hundreds of 5-star ratings, the Neat & Tidy Cottage from Step2 is a great option for toddlers. It’s got tons of fun features like a mini play kitchen complete with counter space, a faucet and grill along with a ringing doorbell (which reviewers say isn’t as annoying as you may think!) and mail slot. You can even make it extra homey with some greenery tucked into the molded planter. It also is one of the few plastic models that includes a built-in floor.

A simple design that’s got all the bells and whistles, this cedar playhouse comes loaded with some adorable features. On the outside, there’s a sweet cedar picket fence, pretend outdoor lamps, a real Dutch door with knob and latch along with a mailbox, bench and functioning dinner bell. Step inside to find a lifelike kitchenette complete with sliceable fruit, vegetable basket pretend knife, and cutting board. There’s plenty of room for multiple kids to play at once and it’s tall enough at its peak for even short adults to stand up. And even though it looks quite fetching left unpainted, a quick flip through review photos may get your DIY gears turning…

Looking to buy the whole kit and caboodle? Little ones will go bonkers for this sturdy playhouse that encourages hours of imaginative play. Along with the house itself, the Little Tikes Picnic on the Patio Playhouse comes with a 20-piece accessory set that includes play food, tableware and a pretend phone. A kitchenette inside provides the perfect place to cook up a delicious lunch of plastic hot dogs which can be enjoyed on the attached seating area. It’s also equipped with an electric doorbell (or you know, a buzzer when then service is slow.)

Take the fun to new heights with this cedar playhouse worthy of its own secret word for entry. The elevated design is seven feet tall that the peak and is loaded with features that will delight kids of all ages. (But they’ll need to be at least three to play without giving you a heart attack, of course.) Up to four kiddos can play at once, taking turns with the play sink, napping on the cushioned cot and welcoming guests through the swinging saloon doors. There’s even a growth chart inside to keep track of the years they put this gem to good use.