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The Best Indoor Playhouse For Kids

Last updated on August 16, 2024
Categories Kids, Toys & Games Tags
Best Indoor Playhouse For Kids

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Our Picks For The Top Indoor Playhouses For Kids

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
 Top Pick

Monobeach Taffeta Indoor Playhouse Tent For Kids

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Monobeach

Taffeta Indoor Playhouse Tent For Kids

Your little one will enjoy life in her own little castle with this 55-inch by 53-inch playhouse that has its own lights. There's enough room for up to three small children in this playhouse, and the material is high-quality polyester taffeta. You'll get everything you need to assemble the playhouse, including poles, connectors, star lights and inst...

Overall Take

Whimsical FeelStar lights and taffeta curtains make this playhouse fit for a princess.

 Runner Up

Tiny Land Cotton Indoor Playhouse Tent For Kids

Tiny Land

Cotton Indoor Playhouse Tent For Kids

Easy to assemble, this small tent is in the shape of a teepee and has a door that can be opened and closed with a string. Thick canvas and solid pine poles will give you the durability you want while still keeping the build lightweight. It comes with a 0.5-inch-thick non-slip mat, as well as a canvas bag that you can use for storing and transporti...

Overall Take

Great for BedroomsFoldability makes this teepee useful to families who want to be able to pack up the tent between uses.

 We Also Like

Tiny Land Pop-Up Indoor Playhouse Castle For Kids

Tiny Land

Pop-Up Indoor Playhouse Castle For Kids

Designed for girls between the ages of 2 and 8, this playhouse features bright colors and dots that catch the light and sparkle. The pop-up frame and easy-to-insert rods make setup a breeze, allowing your little one to start start enjoying immediately. The playhouse is sized 41" D x 55" H to give younger children plenty of room to play.

Overall Take

Fairy Tale VibesThis playhouse is straight out of a fairy tale, shaped like a castle.

 Strong Contender

Gentle Monster Indoor Hexagon Playhouse Castle For Kids

Gentle Monster

Indoor Hexagon Playhouse Castle For Kids

The hexagon shape and large 55-inch by 53-inch size gives plenty of room for small kids to play. The set includes instructions, poles, connectors and star lights in addition to a crown and tiara. Mesh curtains can be closed for privacy or opened to let light in.

Overall Take

Playing Pretend This playhouse comes with a bonus tiara and wand to enhance playtime for your little one.

Buying Guide

At one time, playhouses were constructed from wood and took up significant space in a bedroom or backyard. But today’s playhouses have gotten much more practical. They’re made from materials like polyester, with flexibility and setup similar to what you’d find in an outdoor tent.

The best thing about these newer playhouses is that some can be folded up when not in use. This means you can store them and, in some cases, even put them in a carrying bag and take them on the go. But another benefit of this model is that it’s typically fairly easy to set up.

But there are some features that make one tent stand out over others. For young ones who like fairy tales, the many playhouses with pink tulle and taffeta can be a fun choice. These playhouses are pure pink, with curtains for both decoration and privacy. Some even have built-in lights or sequins to catch the light and sparkle.

There are a few other considerations when you’re shopping for a playhouse, though. Most are designed for indoors, but some can be used outdoors, as well. If this is important to you, look for one that has that versatility. You’ll need to make sure it’s weatherproof if you’ll be leaving it outside for any length of time. For the outdoors, it’s also especially important to ensure you can easily clean the material if it gets dirty.

For indoor playhouses, you’ll need to measure the area where you plan to keep yours. Playhouses vary in dimensions, so knowing what you’re getting before you set it up can be a big help. Also use those measurements to gauge just how roomy the tent will be for your little ones. If you have multiple children or your child will have friends over, you’ll need to choose one with plenty of space for playtime.

Setup is also important to consider. If you’ll be putting the tent in place and leaving it, setup and teardown might not be as important. But you’ll still want one that’s easy to set up that first time. If you plan to fold your tent up and store it between uses, easy setup and takedown are especially important.

The comfort of the seating area inside the playhouse is also important. You’ll want your child to be comfortable, but too much cushion can make the playhouse tougher to store when it’s not in use.

What to Look For

  • Like many items designed for playtime, playhouses are great for helping with development. It encourages creativity, as well as helping younger children start to assert their independence.
  • Playhouses come in a variety of materials. If you want to make sure it will last for several years, look for one that has sturdy tent poles and fabric that’s thick enough to hold up even during rigorous use.
  • Ventilation is also important in the playhouse you choose. Polyester is breathable. Many playhouses are built with large windows and perhaps have mesh fabric to promote airflow.
  • Some playhouses come with built-in lights. If yours come with this feature, check to see the power source. You might need to have batteries on hand.
  • Some playhouses have sequins that catch the light, creating an effect similar to a light. This could save you the trouble of dealing with a power source while still keeping things fun.
  • Check the recommended age ranges for the playhouse you choose. Those with small parts like sequins could become a choking hazard for younger children.
  • If you plan to store your tent between uses, make sure you have a storage plan. Some playhouses come with a bag that will keep them safe and clean.
  • For playhouses that you can take on the go with you, portability is key. You’ll want one with a carrying bag, of course, but also look at the weight to make sure it’s lightweight enough to cart around.
  • The complexity of setup varies from one playhouse to another. Many are fairly easy to put together. Also make sure yours comes with either an instruction booklet or an online video that will walk you through putting your new playhouse together.
  • Some playhouses have curtains and doors to provide a little privacy. This can come in handy for little ones who like that “fort” experience.
  • A nonslip mat can help hold the playhouse in place as little ones move around inside.
  • If your child has allergies or sensitivities to certain materials, make sure the playhouse has nothing that will cause a problem.
  • Some playhouses come with accessories that will make playtime even more fun. Princess-themed playhouses might have crowns and wands included, for instance, while one that’s set up like an outdoor tent might come with fake camping accessories.
  • Even with indoor playhouses, dirt will become an issue. Make sure you can clean the material occasionally as it starts to look dingy.
  • In addition to the material and small parts, safety also means making sure the playhouse won’t fall on your little ones while they’re inside. Look for one with sturdy tent poles that stay in place once you’ve set them up.
  • You can liven up your child’s room or playroom by building a décor around the playhouse. You can dress up the playhouse with lights and perhaps a rug, along with matching the other items in the room to the color and style of the playhouse.

More to Explore

The play “Peter Pan” may be to credit for the wooden playhouse as part of childhood. In the play, the Lost Boys construct a house around Wendy after she is injured upon arrival in Neverland. In fact, the first wooden playhouse ever constructed is believed to be the one the playwright, J.M. Barrie, built for the first performance of the play in 1904.

But Barrie wasn’t the first creator to conceptualize miniature wooden houses. England is filled with what are known as garden playhouses, which are small, but impressive houses built of stone to look very similar to the main house on the grounds. America has long had outdoor playhouses that are called either clubhouses or treehouses. These operate with a similar concept to J.M. Barrie’s house while having a similar look to garden playhouses.

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