The Best Playhouses

Friday, January 17th

2025 Playhouse Reviews

Walmart

• Prices starting at $15.99
• 264 playhouses
• Indoor and outdoor playhouses
• Free shipping on certain playhouses
• 90-day returns
• Lots of honest customer reviews
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Whether you're shopping for home decor, groceries, clothing, electronics, books, organizational products, or toys, you might as well check Walmart since they are a distributor for so many brands and they're well-known for their extremely low prices. Walmart has over 4,600 stores throughout the United States and continues to grow. They're a popular place to buy just about anything since they carry so many brands to fit so many budgets.

The biggest selection

Walmart takes the cake for the amount of playhouses available on their website compared to other retailers. There are 264 results for playhouses here, so you'll have more than enough choices to start out with. You can filter by age ranges from 0 months to 12 years and up, which could be helpful. Some of the brands they sell include Step2, Little Tikes, KidKraft, Backyard Discovery, Costway, Outsunny, Lifetime, and others. Customers can shop by customer rating, price, color, and availability as well.

Cheap choices

If you're interested in simply sorting the playhouses from Walmart by price alone, you'll find that the cheapest choices are a kids giant cardboard gingerbread house for $15.25, a pink princess play tent for $15.99, or a supermarket playhouse tent for $19.98. These are options that can easily be stored away for times when you need more space or your child starts to lose interest in playing for a while. They're extremely inexpensive, but still fun and enjoyable for hours of playtime.

Plenty of choices under $200

If you want something more sturdy than a cloth or inflatable playhouse, the prices will start around $75 for something really basic with little doors and windows that open and close. These could be used inside or outside since they're easy to wipe down and pretty weather-resistant. There are tons of options for under $200 that toddlers and young kids would love.

Lots of themes and features

You could spend as much as $3,549 on a playhouse at Walmart if you go with Cedarshed's 6'x6' wood playhouse. Most other choices are under $1,000, like the highly-rated Lifetime outdoor imagination playhouse for $959 with windows on all sides, a full door, blue and white exterior colors, and an inside decorated like a real house with a play kitchen, pretend fireplace, and more. There are multi-level playhouses here, modular jungle gyms for toddlers, playhouses attached to slides and swings, and playhouses with different themes like Barbie, garden party, cozy cottage, gather and grill, and so many more.

Free shipping on some playhouses

Some playhouses will ship free from Walmart, while others have delivery fees around $100 depending on the brand and where it is shipped from. Most playhouses were available to ship right away and were going to arrive at our home in as little as a week. You could always check if the Walmart near you has the playhouse you want available for free pickup, but more than likely you'll need to have it shipped.

Return within 90 days

The items sold and shipped by Walmart are eligible for 90 day returns. To initiate this, you'll simply take your playhouse in unused condition in its packaging to your closest store. Customer service will take care of the transaction and you will receive a full refund as long as everything is in order.

Popular shop means lots of reviews

Walmart is a popular place to shop both in-store and online, which means you end up getting a lot of customer reviews posted for their products. Their popular playhouses have hundreds and even thousands of customer ratings you can refer to. They include details from buyers about what ages of kids typically use the playhouse, how easy it is to assemble, if it came with all the right pieces, if it holds up well, and many of them include photos with their review. Walmart has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, so if you find a playhouse here that you really like and it has good customer reviews, then there's no reason not to go for it.

Reasonable option

Walmart really comes through on their playhouse selection. This is a fantastic place to look if you want something that will last plenty of years and won't cost you a fortune. Walmart has earned our top spot.

Wayfair

• Prices starting at $31.66
• 148 playhouses
• Save 10% when you sign up for texts
• Free delivery
• 30-day return policy
• Honest customer reviews
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Wayfair is an e-commerce company based out of Boston, Massachusetts. When they were founded in 2002, they operated under the name CSN and then rebranded in 2011 under the name Wayfair. They now operate four other retail brands including Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, and Perigold. Wayfair offers over 30 million items from over 11,000 global suppliers with warehouses all throughout the United States, Germany, Canada, China, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Wide, thorough selection

Wayfair is known for having an incredible amount of products, all of which are priced competitively low. There are 148 kids playhouses available at Wayfair in styles like cozy forts, charming cottages, outdoor kitchen patios, jungle gym play places, tiny campers, and more. There really is something for everyone here and Wayfair makes it easy to shuffle through the materials you prefer for your playhouse, the life stage you're catering to, price, availability, features and accessories, size, customer ratings, and so much more. Some of the popular brands they carry include Step2, Little Tikes, Backyard Discovery, Little Cottage Company, and KidKraft.

Many reasonably priced options

Prices range from $31.66 to $8,599 for playhouses, so there are a lot of price points in between here to cater to different budgets. We like that you can sort by price so that you can see all the playhouses that you want to choose from. The cheapest options are usually made of cloth and resemble teepees, little ball pits, or even cardboard castles. You should expect to spend at least $200 for a bigger, plastic playhouse that has a door, windows, a bench, and other features like a mailbox or small slide. For under $500 you have a lot of fun options, so there is no reason to spend crazy amounts for a playhouse at Wayfair.

Free shipping

When you sign up for text messages from Wayfair, they'll send you a 10% off coupon to use towards your first purchase. You'll get free delivery on your order, which is another great perk that Wayfair provides.

Great online shopping experience

We like browsing products at Wayfair because they provide an intuitive shopping experience. Their pricing is clear cut, you can read unfiltered customer reviews, they always provide a delivery timeframe based on your zip code, plus they give a great overview of products and specifications as well. You can easily compare similar items if you want to see all the playhouses with similar designs and prices and even other items that are often purchased along with the playhouse like water tables, stepping stones, and little jungle gyms.

30-day return policy

If you change your mind about a playhouse from Wayfair, you have 30 days to send it back. Since they don't have brick-and-mortar stores, your only option would be to do a return through the mail, which is always a bit of a pain. In order for Wayfair to continue providing low prices to customers, they don't offer free return shipping, so you will be responsible for the cost of sending back your playhouse too.

Plenty of customer ratings

The Better Business Bureau has given Wayfair an "A+” rating, but you'll find plenty of negative reviews about Wayfair if you look for them. Some people complain about defective products, missing pieces on furniture that needed to be assembled, delivery issues, or any other potential problem that can occur with a big retailer. However, they have many ratings on their individual playhouses and these are going to be the most helpful to you. There are lots of highly-rated choices and we fully trust that you'd be happy with the playhouse you choose if you rely on these.

A top choice

Overall we are big fans of Wayfair and really like the range of playhouses they offer. They've got one of the biggest inventories you're going to find and their online shopping experience is smooth and reliable. If you're looking for a good deal, free shipping, and lots of choices, put Wayfair at the top of your list when you're shopping for playhouses.

Lowe's

• Prices starting at $37.98
• 25 playhouses
• Indoor and outdoor playhouses
• 90-day return policy
• Free shipping on some products
• Free in-store pickup
• Unfiltered customer reviews
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Lowe's specializes in all things home improvement. They are headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina and operate a chain of over 2,180 retail stores throughout the United States. Lowe's is the second largest hardware chain in the United States and in the world (surpassed only by Home Depot). Here you'll find appliances, holiday decor, flooring, hardware, heating and cooling systems, lumber, power tools, gardening essentials, paint, and thousands of additional items.

Reasonable, affordable, and fun

If you're looking for an affordable store with a selection of small playhouses for either outdoor or indoor use, then look no further. Lowe's carries brands like Backyard Discovery, KidKraft, Costway, Delta Children, Funphix, and others. Their selection of 25 playhouses is very reasonable and will fit most families' wishes. You can sort by price, brand, material, features, rating, area, and size if you already have some strict criteria for what you're looking for.

Think outside the box… literally

The least expensive playhouse from Lowe's isn't what you might expect, but it's actually a really fun idea for kids. For $37.98 you can get an indoor/outdoor black and white cardboard playhouse that doubles as an arts and crafts project. One is designed like a gingerbread house and the other is a birthday theme. Your kids can take crayons and markers and go to town designing them however they want. Then it can be their little play fort for as long as it holds up. Sometimes it's the simplest things like this that keep children the most entertained.

Great design diversity

Some other simple indoor playhouse choices from Lowe's include a children's polyester teepee and ball pit, small camping tents, and other more sturdy plastic playhouses with windows and doors. The most expensive choice is a KidKraft outdoor wooden playhouse that's elevated with a ladder and tube slide coming down from the side. It takes up 47.4' of play space and costs $1,559. There are quite a few multi-level play houses available from Lowe's as well as more basic playhouses that include little play kitchens, seating areas, and even sandboxes. We're really happy with the diversity here.

Shipping depends on product

Lowe's will deliver the playhouse of your choice; sometimes they'll even have it in-stock or available for a ship-to-store pickup near you. We were surprised at how many playhouses we could pick up within an hour of our house. Depending on the company that makes the playhouse you're interested in, you might get free shipping through Lowe's or have to pay around $70 to $100 for shipping from a third-party to your home. Either way, you'll usually be able to pick up your playhouse or have it delivered within a few days to a couple of weeks.

90-day returns

New and unused merchandise can be returned to Lowe's within 90 days of purchase. If you need to return your playhouse before setting it up, you'll be in luck if you live close to a Lowe's location since your return will be free. You can also return your playhouse by mail for free (usually), but this could be a more complicated process all around, so your best bet is just to take it to one of their stores if possible. For warranties on the playhouses, you'll need to refer to the manufacturer of the product, which will vary slightly depending on which one you buy.

Look to customer reviews

Besides having a solid "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, Lowe's lets customers leave honest reviews about their playhouses straight on their website. Some of them have hundreds, while others have none. Hopefully the playhouse you're considering has had some customer feedback that you can rely on. Otherwise, do your best to read through all the thorough details and look at the photos provided by Lowe's on their site and hope for the best. You can always return the playhouse if needed.

One of the best

We're really happy with the selection of playhouses at Lowe's. It's a great option for families who want a fun addition for their yard or play space but don't want to spend thousands of dollars to do so. They represent a good number of brands and have some really cute choices. This is definitely one of our top options for playhouses and the rating we've given Lowe's reflects this.

Home Depot

• Prices starting at $88
• 32 playhouses
• Free, fast shipping
• 90-day returns
• Unfiltered customer reviews
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement retailer that stands out with their bright orange and white buildings and apron-clad employees. They sell tools, appliances, construction products, fuel and transportation rentals, and so much more. The categories of products from Home Depot are seemingly endless, which is why they're a go-to for many people working on renovation and building projects both inside and outside their homes. There are over 2,300 stores throughout the United States, in addition to Home Depot's extensive website where you can find everything they sell, including playhouses.

Range of brands and features

Home Depot doesn't make their own playhouses, but they are a distributor for brands like Backyard Discovery, Outdoor Living Today, Lifetime, Funphix, and others. There are 32 results for playhouses on their website and since they're made by different companies, you'll get a range of styles and features. You can sort the playhouses by categories like wood, indoor, outdoor, elevated, and life stage.

Great product listings

We like shopping on Home Depot's website because they're thorough with their listings. You get plenty of photos and even sometimes videos of the item you're viewing. They give plenty of details about the dimensions, materials, warranty, and all the details you might need to know before buying a playhouse. They also have unfiltered reviews on their site and a Q&A section for people who have extra questions about the flooring, stain, hinges, weight, size of windows for curtains, and other interesting information. Since Home Depot is a popular place to shop, you'll always get a lot of feedback from other buyers, which is invaluable.

Reasonably-priced options

The price of playhouses here ranges from $88 for a 6 ft. cloth teepee playset (could be used indoors or outdoors) to $7,821 for a 9'x7' cabin playhouse that has flower boxes in the windows, a porch, and is made of western red cedar. This playhouse could easily be painted however you like, so it's more customizable than some. There are a few cute, simple playhouse options for under $350 if you are really staying within a tight budget and want something fun and not too big for your kids to play in. They also have a few little playsets at Home Depot with ladders, slides, and bridges for toddlers.

Requires some assembly

All of the playhouses from Home Depot will require at least some assembly. They almost always come with extremely detailed instructions to help people who wouldn't necessarily consider themselves handy be able to put it together. You can view the assembly/instruction manual for many of the playhouses straight from Home Depot's website, just so you know what to expect beforehand.

Free in-store returns

It's a huge benefit to customers that Home Depot has so many locations nationwide because it makes returns as easy as ever. Most merchandise can be returned within 90 days of delivery, so if you haven't assembled your playhouse, you can pack up the pieces and take it back to the store nearest you for free. You could also choose to mail back your return, but with something as large as a playhouse, it isn't going to be cheap.

Read the honest buyer reviews

Home Depot has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau. We hardly have to look past that when it comes to this store since they have such a strong reputation and friendly store policies. The main thing you'll want to watch out for are the reviews that buyers leave on the playhouses you find on their website. Be sure to pay attention to what people say about quality, assembly, maintenance, and delivery before you add one of the playhouses to your cart.

No hesitations

Home Depot is a great place to shop for just about anything. We like that they offer free shipping and have short delivery dates for their items. Buying a playhouse here, as long as it has good reviews, is a good way to go. If you find something you're excited about, go ahead and give Home Depot a try.

Whole Wood Playhouses

• Prices starting at $2,170
• 34 playhouse kits
• Custom playhouse options
• Family-run business
• Made of weatherproof Nordic spruce wood
• Free delivery
• 2-hour assembly
• Subscribe to emails and save $50
• 1-2 week shipping time
• 14-day return policy
• Limited 5-year manufacturer's warranty

Whole Wood Playhouses is a family-run business that makes wooden outdoor play structures. They believe that having a playhouse gives kids an amazing place to spend time, host outdoor slumber parties, and even add to a yard's aesthetic as a decoration. Whole Wood Playhouse aims to make things as easy as possible for parents by developing a special paneling system that allows assembly to be done in only two hours. Their hope is that parents don't miss out on special moments with their kids and can give them fun opportunities with as little hassle as possible.

Beautiful, fully finished playhouses

You have three categories of playhouses to choose from when you are shopping on Whole Wood Playhouses' website. The first is outdoor playhouses where you'll find 22 choices. These all have a slightly similar style, but vary a bit in size (6'x8' or 8'x8'), roof design, one- or two-story elevation, color, and whether it includes stairs and a slide or not. Playhouses range in color from white, bright yellow, pink, red, blue, gray, or beige. They all come with a small front porch, some with white picket fences, and decorated window boxes for flowers. The price range of these outdoor playhouses goes from $7,770 to $34,000 and takes about 1-2 weeks to ship.

Finish and paint it yourself

If you love the outdoor playhouses you see, but you don't love the prices, then the DIY kits might be a better option. There are 12 options here and they're similar to the fully finished outdoor playhouses, but they come untreated and unpainted so you can make it your own. These start at $2,170 with 1-2 week shipping for a treehouse-like playhouse with a ladder and slide, and go up to $4,490 for a clubhouse that also has a ladder and slide. For under $3,000 there are quite a few good options in this category.

Make it custom

Lastly, you could go the custom route and design your own playhouse by choosing the shape and size you want, selecting the color, specifying the features and structures you want (roof, terrace, doors, windows), and any extra elements that you dream up. This will be the most expensive choice and the cost will depend entirely on what your end design is. You'll work directly with a team at Whole Wood Playhouses to bring your design to life.

Save with email signup

If you choose to subscribe to emails from Whole Wood Playhouses, they'll send you a code for $50 off your order. When we were shopping, the company was also throwing in a free kid's kitchen with every purchase. Shipping on all playhouses is always free from Whole Wood Playhouses.

Top quality materials

Whole Wood Playhouses prides themselves on the material they use on their products. Their houses are made of premium Nordic spruce wood with a white metal roof and no plastic whatsoever. All paints are water based and nature-friendly too, but you can order a playhouse without paint so that you and your family can style the playhouse together however you'd like.

14-day return policy

If you aren't happy with your playhouse kit, you can return it for a full refund within 14 days of the delivery date for a refund or exchange. The shipping cost will be deducted from your total refund, so take this into account. As long as you return the playhouse with its original boxes, you can avoid a 20% restocking fee.

5-year warranty

Every playhouse carries a limited 5-year manufacturer's warranty that guarantees them against defects in workmanship and material.

Phenomenal third-party reviews

There is no rating for Whole Wood Playhouses from the Better Business Bureau, but all of their third-party reviews are phenomenal. Customers say they couldn't be happier with their final product, their delivery experience was smooth, quality is 10/10, and their kids absolutely love the playhouse. Some of the listings on Whole Wood Playhouses have unfiltered customer reviews as well, so these are a great guide for your purchase.

Long-lasting playhouses

If you want a playhouse that will last many years and be truly beautiful, Whole Wood Playhouses delivers. It is definitely a financial commitment to purchase anything here, but if you're a grandparent who wants to provide a playhouse that the grandkids can use for a long time, or a brand-new parent who wants to get years of use out of a gorgeous playhouse, the cost is more justifiable. We had a great time browsing the catalog of playhouses at Whole Wood Playhouses and we're sure you'd be happy with whatever you purchase here, so we've given them a solid rating.

Backyard Discovery

• Prices starting at $249
• 10 playhouse choices
• Free shipping
• 4-5 day shipping
• $50 off your order of $499 with email signup
• Professional assembly available on some playhouses
• 30-day return policy
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Backyard Discovery is home to hundreds of different types of products to help you create the most entertaining, dreamiest, most luxurious backyard. This includes swing sets, gazebos, pergolas, greenhouses, carports, kitchens, patio accents, and of course, playhouses. The company is based out of Pittsburg, Kansas with global distribution throughout the United States, Canada, and the UK.

Simple, cute selection

There are 10 playhouses sold by Backyard Discovery, all of which are primarily designed to be outdoors. This company creates their own playsets, so here you'll find their own playhouses, not ones that are made by other brands. Some products in the playhouse inventory from Backyard Discovery are identical to each other in build and features, but they come in different colors so that you can find something that best fits your aesthetic. They have a cute cottage that comes in two colors with a little flower box in the window, a swinging half door, mailbox, and little chalkboard to play with. Their Aspen playhouse looks more like a small cabin with a seat at the windowsill, a little fence and mailbox, pretend indoor sink, and big windows all around. If you prefer an elevated playhouse with stairs to the top and a slide coming down, they have that too. There aren't a ton of different options, but what they have is cute and no doubt kids would love them.

Everything under $1,000

The prices here range from just $249 for a simple cedar wood playhouse with a half door, indoor kitchen, and fun accents to $849 for a pretty black and white playhouse with a slide. This playhouse has a little lookout deck around the playhouse with an indoor kitchen and ladder to get to the top. Shipping is free for all the playhouses here, so you don't have to worry about delivery costs.

Sign up and save

If you sign up for marketing emails from Backyard Discovery, they'll send you a code for $50 off any purchase of $499 or more. If you're spending a lot of money on a playhouse here, a $50 savings may not seem like much, but it's something. You might as well take any discount that you can get.

4-5 day shipping

When you're viewing a playhouse, you can select the "Check Arrival Dates” button to see how long it would take for the playhouse to get to your home. We noticed that most of them said 4-5 days, which really isn't bad. There were two new playhouse designs that were still in a preorder phase, so those would take a little longer to arrive, but typically everything else is in-stock. If you want Backyard Discovery to arrange for assembly of your playhouse, you can pay an extra $450 - $600 depending on the playhouse.

30-day returns plus restocking fees

If you receive your playhouse from Backyard Discovery and want to return it, you can contact the company within 30 days of receipt. You'll be responsible to pay for returning the playhouse, and expect a 15% restocking fee to be deducted from your refund. If it is missing parts when you return it, the cost for the company to make the set like new again will also be deducted from your refund.

Unfiltered reviews

The Better Business Bureau gives Backyard Discovery an "A+” score. Maybe even more importantly, the customer reviews of their products are really high. We appreciate that Backyard Discovery has unfiltered reviews on their products for you to read through. Most of them have between 60 and 150 reviews, so there is more than enough to be helpful in making a buying decision. Customers often leave lengthy descriptions of their experience and add photos of the playhouse in their own yards for you to see. Nearly every product has close to 5 out of 5 stars, so it's clear that Backyard Discovery makes good playhouses that customers are happy with.

Small outdoor selection

We have no concerns about the quality of the playhouses from Backyard Discovery or the legitimacy of the company. We like that they offer fast, free shipping and their playhouses are really cute. They do have a small selection, so we don't expect that everyone will find what they had in mind here. Plus, if you want more indoor playhouse options, you won't find that here. Backyard Discovery has earned a good review from us and a better-than-average rating, but it's a little too limited in selection to land any higher on our list.

Little Cottage Company

• Prices starting at $2,626
• 10 playhouses
• Family-owned Amish company
• Bright, unique exteriors
• 10% off + free shipping sale
• Made in the USA
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Little Cottage Company was established in 1999 by founder Dan Schlabach. He began using his woodworking skills to create playhouses and was invigorated by the joy and excitement that came to children and families by doing so. Throughout the years, the catalog of Little Cottage Company expanded to include other structures like sheds, greenhouses, chicken coops, dog kennels, and poly furniture for adults and children.

Talk of the town

If you purchase a playhouse from Little Cottage Company, you'll have all the neighbor kids flocking to play in your yard and it will be the talk of the town. These unique playhouses are so ornate, bright, and realistic-looking. Some are Victorian-style with tall roof peaks, bright pink exteriors, a small fenced porch, big windows, and decorative trim. Some are designed to look like grand mansions, Cape Cod homes, and even one called "Little Cottage Chapel” in all white with a red door and tall steeple.

Select your size

In total there are 10 playhouses from Little Cottage Company that range in price from $2,626 to $15,866, all with free shipping. When you select a playhouse, you'll have size options to choose from that will affect the overall price. While we were shopping, a banner was displayed across the top of the website offering 10% off all purchases - which could take over $1,000 off your purchase depending on the playhouse you choose, so definitely keep an eye out for a similar promotion.

Build from a kit

All of the playhouses come in kits, so you'll need to follow the instructions and put it together upon arrival. Pay attention to the list of items that the kit does not include, which are usually things like shingles, paint, and drip edges that you'll need to buy separately. A quantity list of these things is provided with your purchase. You can view some photos with general step-by-step instructions to get an idea of how the wall panels for the playhouse come and what it will take to put it together. Most playhouses will take 2 people around 4-8 hours to build (though Victorian mansions will take longer) and you'll only need basic carpentry skills and tools for assembly.

All sales are final

Most playhouses say they ship in 4-6 weeks. Once you've made a purchase from Little Cottage Company, there's no going back since all sales are final. If you cancel your order within 24 hours, you can get a refund, but after this point, there are no returns or refunds of any kind. If your order arrives with issues, Little Cottage Company asks that you reach out to them directly to get it taken care of. There is also no mention of a warranty.

Few, mixed reviews

The Better Business Bureau gives Little Cottage Company an "A+” rating. There are only a handful of customer reviews to be found on Little Cottage Company's website and third-party web pages, but what we saw was mixed. Some people referred to other structures like the sheds and said that the assembly was tricky because not all the cuts were made right and some of the quality seemed flimsy. Others had no issues at all with their product. There are unfiltered reviews on the playhouses themselves (though not very many) so at the very least, you should read through those to identify key details about quality, assembly, customer service, and durability overtime.

Fun, unique options

Overall we are impressed with Little Cottage Company, mostly because of the unique designs of their Amish-made playhouses. This is a company that's proud of their work and has a good selection, but we do wish they had more details about the materials their playhouses are made of and if they offer a warranty. Otherwise, we recommend shopping at Little Cottage Company if you have the budget for it. This is not the cheapest playhouse option you'll find, but it's worth looking into if you want something extremely unique.

Cedar Works

• Contact for pricing
• Customize your own play structure
• Indoor and outdoor options
• Renewable wood structures
• Meets ASTM and CPSC standards
• 4-6 week delivery
• Chemical-free wood
• 30-day return policy
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

CedarWorks is a family-owned company that makes both indoor and outdoor toys, furniture, playsets, and accessories. Their name reflects the Northern White Cedar they use to make their playsets because it is splinter-free and lasts a long time. For indoor furniture and play places, they use hardwoods, water-based stains, and cabinet grade panels. All of their products meet ASTM and CPSC standards and are crafted in midcoast Maine in partnership with other local family businesses.

Bigger and better

CedarWorks' playhouses are what dreams are made of. Forget public parks. If you go crazy on your design here, you'll have an impressive playhouse or playset that will keep your kids entertained for hours at a time for years on end. On the homepage of CedarWorks' website they highlight some of their incredible builds that include multiple towers and bridges connecting them, all types of slides, rock climbing walls, fire poles, picnic tables, swings, monkey bars, and more.

Commitment to safety and quality

There is a big focus on safety and low maintenance from CedarWorks. You won't ever have to re-stain your playhouse since it won't weather over time. All materials are kid-friendly like the custom braided nautical rope they use on their swings - it is stronger than chains and won't rust or pinch - or their chemical-free wood. The custom posts that all playsets and playhouses are made of are up to 30% larger than traditionally cut wood, so you'll get a sturdy playhouse here. CedarWorks donates 10% of their profits to organizations that benefit kids and the environment, so they're fully committed to being a good company.

More jungle gyms than playhouses

You can specify if you're interested in indoor or outdoor playsets from CedarWorks when you shop online. Most of what you'll find here is more like a jungle gym with slides, climbing rungs, ladders, and swings all attached to small playhouse areas. There are only two indoor playhouses that are a house-like structure alone without all the additional features. You can find ideas for really big or small playsets depending on your budget and creativity. Some of what we saw at CedarWorks looks like what might be ordered by a daycare or other big businesses rather than what someone would have space for in their home or yard.

Browse renderings or make your own

Ultimately, you can browse renderings of all the indoor and outdoor playsets from CedarWorks that you could have custom-made for you, or design your own. There are hundreds of pre-made designs to explore with 3D features and a list of details about what comes in each set. You could find the bones of a structure you like and then customize it by moving things around, adding beams, bridges, ramps, slides, climbing structures, swings, and more. The sky's the limit here.

Starting at nearly $10,000

The biggest hangup that most people will have with CedarWorks is the price tag. People joke about needing to take out a second mortgage to afford the designs they come up with. To see pricing on any given rendering, you can provide your email and zip code. For reference, we found a 2-tower playset with 3 swings and a slide, plus some other small features and the cost was $27,544. One of the simplest sets we found had a ladder up to a platform with a slide and 3 swings attached to the side for $9,103. On the high end, we found multi-structured playsets with bridges, ramps, different types of slides, and tons of fun play features for $77,161. CedarWorks boasts that they've had many celebrities and professional athletes purchase their equipment along with one of the U.S. presidents. That might be what it takes to afford something from here.

Shipping costs vary

To find out what the cost will be to ship your playset, you'll need to fill out a form online. The price will depend on which playset you choose and where you live. Upon arrival, CedarWorks says it should take approximately one full day to assemble the structure with two adults using common household tools. Certain major components like slides, ramps, fences, and roof panels may arrive pre-assembled to expedite delivery. CedarWorks doesn't assemble playsets at your home themselves, but they can recommend people nearby who could help.

30-day returns

It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for products to ship after an order has been placed. You can return your unused playset within 30 days of receipt if it is in original condition (though we imagine this would be really expensive). A restocking fee will apply, but CedarWorks doesn't specify how much it is. As far as warranties, CedarWorks makes it easy by saying that if there are parts of your playset that need to be replaced down the road, just reach out and they'll get them to you. There are no nitty-gritty warranty policy details to comb through, since they stand by their products and trust that you'll take good care of them.

Final product looks like renderings

The Better Business Bureau has given CedarWorks an "A+” rating and customers are thrilled with their purchases. We've seen people post their "What I ordered vs. What I Got” versions of playsets from CedarWorks and they deliver every time. Their renderings really turn out to be incredible and the final products are reported to be really sturdy. There aren't as many unfiltered reviews anywhere about CedarWorks as we normally like to see, but this isn't your run-of-the-mill playset company. We trust that they provide 10/10 service and quality, and people who are really serious about their designs and picky about how they turn out are the ones who shop here.

A child's dream

We wish that everyone could afford to build a playset from CedarWorks. This is a place that can create the most incredible outdoor sanctuary for a kid and it's fun just to browse their catalog. We're absolutely sure that you'll receive "best of the best” service and quality if you design and buy a playset from CedarWorks. The only reason they've earned an average rating from us is because this company is surely out of most people's price ranges.

Cedarshed

• Prices starting at $2,829
• 4 playhouses
• Comes in a kit to build yourself
• Made of Western Red Cedar
• Non-toxic and safe for all ages
• Free shipping
• "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

Cedarshed is a leading gazebo and shed kit manufacturer that manufactures their products in Canada. The company was founded in 1980, but was acquired by CS Manufacturing in June 2017 by a father and son team, Cohl and Craig Fleischhacker. The company ships thousands of gazebos and shed kits around the world annually. Aside from these products, you can also shop small storage solutions, playhouses, garden products, and pergolas at Cedarshed.

Sparse selection of playhouse kits

In the playhouses category of Cedarshed's website, we only had 4 choices. The first and least expensive one was the Gardener Shed starting at $2,829. The price for this playhouse could easily be as much as $5,839 if you opted for a cedar roof in an 8'x16' size. Depending on the size (6'x6', 6'x9', 6'x12', 8'x10', 8'x12', 8'x16') and roof type, the price varies quite a bit for any given playhouse. This one in particular is geared more for adults needing a place to store their gardening tools or any other lawn maintenance products you'd normally put in a shed. There is one photo of kids popping their heads through the window, which is why they must have listed it as a playhouse. This would work as a children's play place, but in truth it wasn't designed for that.

Basic structures

The other three playhouses listed range from $3,669 to $5,359 and are actually meant more for kids. Again, depending on the size and roof type you choose, a couple of these could cost closer to $10,000. One of them is a kid's bunkhouse cottage with flower beds on the exterior and a small porch, and the others look like tiny cabins. You can view a series of photos of each playhouse kit to see how different people painted theirs and what additions you might choose to add for fun. However, we wish they showed photos of the interiors. We assume they are completely empty with no shelving, pretend kitchens, or any other features, but it would be nice to see a picture.

DIY project

The prices of these playhouses reflects the high quality of the Western Red Cedar that you're getting along with a strong structure that will last outside for years to come. It lays flat and stays straighter than normal treated lumber, and is non-toxic and requires no chemical treatment unless the wood is in direct contact with the ground. However, it's pretty expensive considering that you're really only buying materials and you still have to do quite a bit of assembly yourself once it arrives (although, shipping is free). The company doesn't list exactly how long it will take to put together your playhouse, but for reference, the pre-cut gazebos sold by Cedarshed take between 2-4 days to complete, panelized gazebos take 5-8 hours to complete, and garden sheds take 2-4 hours to complete (this is probably close to what the playhouses would take).

Final sales

All sales from Cedarshed are final and no returns will be accepted by the company unless they are damaged in transit and cannot be salvaged. All structures purchased from Cedarshed are covered for a period of one year for defects in manufacturing and workmanship. If you have missing pieces for your product or any other issues, you're asked to call their customer service line directly and they will sort it out for you.

Glowing testimonials and ratings

Along with glowing testimonials (which aren't unfiltered) on their website and a big thumbs up from some other third-party reviewers, the Better Business Bureau gives Cedarshed an "A+” rating. People are thrilled that they offer free shipping, since some companies charge exorbitant delivery fees. Others say that they've had their sheds for years and they've held up amazingly well. Cedarshed has many long-term customers who have made repeat purchases and are happy every time. We're completely confident in the quality and reputation of Cedarshed.

Great company, small playhouse selection

The reason Cedarshed hasn't earned a great rating from us has nothing to do with their business model, policies, customer feedback, or anything like that. In fact, they seem like a phenomenal place to buy a gazebo, shed, or really any type of product that they sell online. However, when it comes to their playhouse selection alone, you aren't getting as many choices as you might elsewhere. They have no indoor options, their styles are all similar, and the prices are a bit higher than someone might be looking to spend. We really like Cedarshed, but they aren't one of our top choices for playhouses.

KidKraft

• Prices starting at $399
• 4 in-stock playhouses
• Assembly available in some areas
• 30-day return policy
• Unfiltered customer reviews

KidKraft has been creating toys and furniture for over 50 years. Their goal is to amplify and enrich childhood through spaces for kids to live, learn, play, and explore. At KidKraft, you'll find a collection of trains, doll houses, swing sets, play kitchens, and indoor and outdoor furniture, just to name a few. They're a popular choice for many parents since their items are practical, affordable, and have a modern flair.

Slim selection

Since we're familiar with KidKraft and all the toys they make, we expected to see more than 7 playhouses on their website. Since 3 were out-of-stock when we were shopping, it left us with very few choices. Of what we found, there were 2 playhouses that had features like a full-size door, attached picnic tables, windows, a mailbox, and a play kitchen. The other two were elevated with a ladder to get to the top, a tube slide coming down, and a little play space underneath. They were completely identical, but came in 2 different colors.

Starting at $399

One of the smaller playhouses had a modern design and cost $399.99. It was really cute, but quite small, so we imagine that it would be great for toddlers, but kids around the ages of 6 or 7 probably would have already started to outgrow it. The two playhouses that are set off the ground with a ladder and slide are $1,299, which is the most expensive option here. If KidKraft had their other playhouses in-stock, you'd have a couple more choices in the $300 - $400 range. Shipping costs $99, so be sure to factor that into your total cost.

Possibly some assembly assistance

Depending on the playhouse you select, you can input your zip code and see if installation is available for you for an added fee (around $500). If not, you'll need to go the DIY route and put it together yourself. Each playhouse lists an average assembly time and recommends a certain number of people that will be needed for completion.

30 days for returns

If you receive your KidKraft playhouse and decide to return it, you can do so within 30 days of purchase for a refund. It will have to be in new condition, unassembled. You'll also be responsible for the cost of return shipping, which won't be cheap. However, it's nice to know that you have the option for a return if you really need it.

Unimpressive product ratings

KidKraft has unfiltered reviews on their playhouses, so we took the time to read through them all. We found that although the playhouses here are really cute, people were not happy with the quality of materials and didn't feel like it would hold up well over time. Some said boards were not drilled correctly and it made assembly much harder than it needed to be. None of the products had higher than a 3.9 out of 5 star rating average, so there are definitely issues that people commonly run into with these playhouses.

Poor customer experiences

On top of sub-par product reviews, we found that KidKraft has a "D-” rating from the Better Business Bureau. They are not accredited and their low rating is primarily due to their failure to respond to customer complaints. Even third-party ratings follow suit with what we've seen: we found reports of low-quality construction, poor customer support, missing parts, and other major issues. We saw more than enough to dissuade us from putting our money into a playhouse here.

Cute, but not impressed

KidKraft has cute products, but we aren't blown away with the manufacturer's customer satisfaction (or lack of it). Their playhouse inventory is especially slim, so you don't have many choices here compared to some higher-rated retailers. We have given KidKraft a low rating and recommend shopping from a higher-rated store instead.