Thursday, January 23rd
2025 Playhouse Reviews
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.
More Playhouse Reviews
The 10 Best Playhouses
Where Can You Find the Best Playhouses?
Parents are always looking for ways to keep their children entertained for hours while nurturing their imagination. Playhouses are a great way to allow a kid to explore new worlds by playing store, kitchen, princesses, knights, or whatever their limitless minds come up with. They're plenty of fun for one kid alone or a bunch of siblings and friends who join in too.
Playhouses are one of those toys that never goes out of style and is enjoyed by those young and old - sure to be a huge hit for a birthday present, Christmas gift, or just for fun. And, there are plenty of different types of playhouses to fit the space you have and the style you're going for.
Playhouse FAQ
Continued from above...
Some people like having an indoor playhouse while others prefer to have one outdoors. You could even choose to move your playhouse indoors and then outdoors as the weather changes, to switch things up throughout the seasons. Be sure to consider the type of materials your playhouse is made out of if you choose to do this, to ensure it can withstand the elements on rainy, windy, or snowy days.
For simplicity, you may choose to buy a pop-up type playhouse. This requires almost no assembly and could even be stored away as your kid gets older or for times when you need a little breathing room and want some of your space back for a while. Others are made of wood, which gives the playhouse a beautiful, classic look, but may require some repainting over the years, especially if left outside. Plastic materials are popular since they often are good for all types of weather and are easy to clean.
Consider the ages of the kids who will be using the playhouse. Do you want something with a tall tower or rock climbing wall and big slide to add a challenge to playtime? Or would you rather stick with a simple structure with a play table and sink that's safe and fun for all ages? Some have water tables connected, a sandbox, little shelves for displaying trinkets, or bridges connecting separate spaces. These are great additions for kids young and old.
These days you can get so many types of features included with a playhouse, even super-realistic ones that resemble a home with flower boxes, drapes, a mailbox, and a front porch. Think about how mobile you'll want the playhouse to be, who will be using it, and what types of weather it will be exposed to to help you start narrowing the hundreds of fun choices you're about to explore.
There are many places online that sell playhouses. Some are stores you may be familiar with while others are smaller, family brands that have a fun variety of products. So who do you choose? Consider these key areas when shopping for a playhouse:
- Selection. Does the store have a variety of materials that their playhouses are made of? Do they have good size options that would cater to your indoor/outdoor areas? Are they mostly meant for toddlers? Or would big kids find these playhouses enjoyable as well?
- Price. Depending on the size, features, and material of the playhouse, prices can range quite a bit. Find a retailer that offers you options on the low and high end to give you the best selection. We like when websites have filtering tools that let us set our budget so we aren't tempted to spend more than we should.
- Delivery. How long does it take for the company to ship their playhouses? Are they made-to-order and require a lead time of weeks or months or are they ready to go? On top of the price of the playhouse, pay attention to how much the company might charge for delivery and see if it seems reasonable.
- Reputation. What have other customers said about the quality of playhouses from the retailer? Do they hold up well over the years? Is their customer service responsive and easy to deal with if you're trying to track down a shipment or if your playhouse happens to come with missing pieces or some other issue? How are they with cancellations and returns?
The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched the best, most fun playhouses available online. We hope this information helps unlock your inner child and find something that your own children will love and spend years playing with!
Compare Playhouses
Select any 2 Playhouses to compare them head to head
Trending Playhouse News
Related Playhouse Reviews
Since you're interested in Playhouses, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
