The Best Children’s Playhouses and Tents for Indoor and Outdoor Fun

Best Overall: Step2 Neat and Tidy Cottage II Brown Playhouse

4.5

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If you’re looking for an affordable, durable, and fun playhouse that works inside and out, you’ll love the Step2 Charming Cottage as much as we do. It features plenty of fun details, like a working electric doorbell, a removable flower box that can be used to plant real or fake fake flowers, and indoor storage shelves for their toys. It also has an outdoor table and bench, so your child can sit down and enjoy a snack after a long day in the kitchen, although some reviewers wished it had a bit more room. The large, open design allows for social play and is perfect for houses with multiple children. Even older children enjoy the interactive features!

Reviewers say the Step 2 Charming Cottage is easy to assemble and a delight for children of all ages. It only took about an hour or less for more consumers, but they recommend using your own tools rather than the ones provided. We

The waterproof design helps it stand up to the elements (if placed outside), and it's not too big for indoor playrooms if there's no room outdoors. However, there are not many draining points, so this option is best to store inside when it rains or snows. Still, the plastic is extremely easy to store and clean, which is just another reason why this is our top pick and worth the price.

Best Budget: IKEA CIRKUSTÄLT Children's tent

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IKEA’s CIRKUSTÄLT playhouse is perfect for pop-up play no matter where you go. This circus-themed polyester tent is incredibly lightweight and easy to move from room to room. It's the perfect hideaway to read a book, take a nap, or pretend to be the star of a circus. Owners say it’s perfect for children 18 months and older—just add a few circus animal friends or toys and you’ll have a party your child will never want to leave. It can be hand-washed and requires minimal assembly.

Best Outdoor : KidKraft Modern Outdoor Playhouse

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This wooden playhouse is the perfect option for playing outside during warm months. The Modern Outdoor Playhouse from KidKraft comes complete with a full-sized door, attached picnic table and benches, and a working mailbox for hours of endless fun and imaginative play.

The kitchen playset includes a mini outdoor grill and grill cover for little chefs to pretend to whip up a meal and serve it out of the serving window. The inside comes with a sink and faucet and chalkboard for writing down daily specials. The water-resistant roof panels and reinforced wooden panels protect this choice against weather so kids can play outside no matter the forecast. The big size ensures little ones can enjoy this playhouse with siblings or invite friends over for even more enjoyment.

Best Indoor : AirFort Inflatable Fort

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Build a fort in just 30 seconds without gathering all of the pillows and blankets in your home and trashing your living room. The original Air Fort is a perfect choice for an indoor playhouse because it inflates and deflates in just 30 seconds with no additional assembly required.

The durable construction can accommodate kids, adults, and their friends with room to spare. Kids can bring books or toys into their fort for hours of imaginative, screen-free play. This option packs into a small drawstring for taking on vacation or to grandparents' houses. Also, you can choose from fun designs including houses, barns, and tiki huts, for adorable designs kids will love.

Best Princess: FoxPrint Princess Castle Play Tent

3.2

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Let your child channel their inner princess with this FoxPrint Princess Castle Play Tent. This lightweight pink tent folds down flat into a portable carrying case for fun on-the-go. This FoxPrint tent can be used inside or out and provides the perfect space for kids to use their imagination and create magical adventures! It even works as a creative reading spot for kids. Youngsters are sure to love hearts and glow-in-the-dark stars that adorn the walls of the tent, but more critical reviewers point out that the stars are somewhat dim and underwhelming.

While it's not the most elaborate tent on our list, users like that it's affordable, large enough for multiple children, and has a peep-through window for checking in during playtime.

Best Teepee: Turtleplay Indoor Kid’s Play Teepee

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Looking for the perfect accessory for a playroom or kids' bedroom? We love this modern-looking teepee from Turtleplay Products. Made from canvas and Canadian Hemlock wood, this teepee can accommodate two children. The inside is quite spacious, despite the two-child limit, so there's plenty of room for books, stuffed animals, and more. The size also makes it great for sleepovers and playdates. Other notable features include a roll-down window on the side of the teepee and an entrance flap. Certain variations even have glow-in-the-dark stars on the outside.

Reviewers say the Turtleplay Teepee is incredibly charming (some owners even suggest adding string lights for extra coziness) and can be assembled in one hour or less. While it's meant for indoor use only, children can pretend they're in the great outdoors with a little help from their imagination!

Best Wooden: Backyard Discovery Sweetwater Outdoor Wooden Playhouse

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The Backyard Discovery Sweetwater Outdoor Wooden Playhouse is the perfect addition to your backyard. With large windows and realistic-looking appliances, this playhouse is a great way to entice children to spend more time outside.

While most wooden structures have the tendency to warp and rot, cedar is naturally more resistant to these conditions. This is why this type of wood is great for outdoor structures. Even though this cedar house is naturally resistant, a chemical-free wood stain gives this playhouse an added layer of durability. Other notable features include doors and windows that open and close, flower pot holders for gardening, and a plastic sink and stove (the plastic is UV-resistant). 

This playhouse takes a little extra time to put together (most customers estimate about five hours), but it’s definitely worth the effort. Not only does it look great in any backyard, but it provides shade and shelter for endless hours of outdoor play.

Best Bed Tent: Pottery Barn Camden House Bed

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If you want to create a dream bedroom for your child, check out the Tent Fantasy Bed from Pottery Barn Kids. This bed takes forts to the next level and creates a cozy sleep space for kids to read, learn, dream, and play. Made from solid poplar wood and engineered wood, the bed frame fits a full-size mattress and is designed to be used without a box spring. The canopy is 100 percent cotton and has two windows and a tent-style opening that little ones will enjoy using. For an extra special touch, add string lights around the canopy for a magical glow that kids are sure to love.

Customers report that while the bed does have to be assembled, it's simple enough to do on your own. Place the mattress on the bed frame (the wood slats are durable and strong), and then attach the canopy to the frame using the ties.

Best Design: Crate & Barrel Snack Shack Playhouse

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Delight the aspiring chef in your life with this adorable playhouse from Crate & Barrel. With an authentic black and white awning, the Snack Shack Playhouse transforms from a French coffee shop to a bustling BBQ shack right in your own living room! The cotton canvas structure comes with two banner sets, so there are eight signs total that affix to the structure with velcro. The restaurant sign attaches to the roof, so kids might need a little help getting that up. But the other signs can be changed out with little to no help from adults. As an added bonus, the Daily Special sign is made from a special black chalkboard cloth so it can be changed as much as your child’s heart desires.

Reviewers praise the Snack Shack Playhouse for being easy to assemble, lightweight, and loads of fun. It is a bit deeper than other playhouses, though, so be sure that your playroom can accommodate it.