The Best Playhouses

Thursday, February 9th

2023 Playhouse Reviews

Wayfair

Wayfair should be the first place you shop for a playhouse. You'll find over 300 models to choose from, ranging from polyester pop-up tents to ornate mini-houses complete with window boxes. Shipping is free on orders of $35+ (which includes all but one model here), and you'll have a 30-day return window if your playhouse doesn't meet your expectations. Wayfair continues to earn our highest recommendation for playhouses.

Cedar Works

CedarWorks sells high-end, uniquely-constructed cedar Playhouses. Although their website makes it harder than most to find pricing and options, the company's reputation for quality and service should give you reason to be persistent in your hunt for the perfect wooden Playhouse from this retailer.

Backyard Discovery

Backyard Discovery is a brand of all-wood playhouses that you can trust. Don't be fooled by the lower-than-you'd-expect price tag: these structures are sturdy and come with fun features on some of the higher-end models (like rock walls and picnic tables). The return policy is pretty strict here, so it's worth considering making your purchase of a Backyard Discovery product through a third-party seller that won't charge restocking fees. However, wherever you find them, Backyard Discovery's playhouses are built for long-lasting fun.

Whole Wood Playhouses

Whole Wood Playhouses is a terrific store if you like working with small businesses, aren't in a hurry, and want a lot of attention to detail and customization in your playhouse. Inside and out, these sets are fun, functional, and furnished: most models come with extras like a table and chairs. Be prepared to spend at least $3,000 for a playhouse here, but it'll be worth the investment.

Walmart

Walmart has an impressive inventory of more than 500 playhouses, from $25 plastic tents to $10,000+ cottages. Much of what's on offer here is sold by third-party businesses, and that can complicate matters when it comes to shipping and refunds. Walmart isn't a bad place to get playhouses in the $1,000-and-under range, but we'd recommend using a different store for higher-end models - because they'll be more likely to prioritize your satisfaction than this mass merchandiser.

Home Depot

Home Depot is likely a go-to when you've got a leak to fix or a wall to paint, but you won't find an endless supply of playhouse options in their inventory: just 20 or so, depending on what's in stock. We love the 90-day return policy, and that alone might make it a good place to buy some of the other playhouse brands in our review. But, overall, most of the other retailers we evaluated will have more to offer than Home Depot.

Lowe's

Paint, power tools... and playhouses? Yes, you can indeed find all of that and more at Lowe's. The selection of playhouses here isn't overly impressive - anywhere from 20-35, depending on what's available at the time you shop there - but you'll get the same generous 90-day return period as any other product. We like Lowe's in general, but you'll see far more options for playhouses when you shop elsewhere.

KidKraft

KidKraft's wooden playhouses are a familiar sight across retailers, and when you buy direct from the brand store you'll get free shipping and about 18 different models to choose from. Another plus of shopping directly with KidKraft is accessing plenty of customer reviews and Q&As that can help you figure out which one you'd like the most. However, the product descriptions need to go a little deeper, to include any warranty coverage and care instructions, so that buyers can help their KidKraft playhouses last as long as possible.

Little Cottage Company

Little Cottage Company uses Amish craftsmanship to build their elaborate wooden playhouses. You'll need to live close to their Ohio location for a premade house to be affordable, but DIY kits are available if you've got some skill with tools (or can hire someone who does). The prices here start at over $3,000 even on the do-it-yourself assembly playhouses, and it can take months for your order to be delivered. These playhouses are well-made and beautiful, but might be out of range of the budget and skill set of a lot of prospective buyers.

Cedarshed

Canadian-based Cedarshed uses Western Red Cedar in all of their playhouses, sheds and pergolas. You won't pay less than $5,400 here, whether you choose a bunkhouse or playhouse kit, and some models also require you to buy and install shingles or metal roofing. This shop isn't the most intuitive online store we've ever visited, and we're less-than-impressed with Cedarshed's limited one-year warranty and "all sales final" policy. You'll find high-quality playhouses here, but we prefer the options offered by Cedarshed's rivals.