Playhouse For Older Kids
A playhouse isn’t just good for little kids — it can also make a huge difference in the mental and physical well-being of older kids. We all agree that many kids spend too little time outdoors in the fresh air away from their screens. These outdoor playhouses for older children are sure to make your backyard more enticing for them and their friends. From simpler styles to ones with lots of bells and whistles, these seven outdoor (and one indoor) playhouses will help your kids develop their social skills, engage in physical activities, and get some much-needed vitamin D. And all while they’ll just think they’re having fun.
Wooden Outdoor Playhouse For 10 Year Old
$2966.85 $2724
Wooden Outdoor Playhouse For 10 Year Old
Little Cottage Company
$2966.85 $2724
Perfect For: Those with lots of backyard space
What We Like: The optional features that add to the overall structure and children’s imaginative play experience
Give your kids their very own little cottage with this 6 by 8 feet outdoor playhouse for 10 year olds that comes with an optional loft space, two windows, and can be painted upon request. The two front windows feature flower boxes which are great for a potential young gardener. It comes with a door and floor, but you may need to lay a foundation if you want to build it on solid ground.
Designer Advice:
This cottage-style outdoor playhouse for 10 year olds also comes with a front deck and painted rail option if you want to give your kids an authentic outdoor playhouse experience. Shingles are not included, so if you want to finish the roof of this mini kids’ cottage, you have to do the work yourself.
What Users Say:
Sturdy, well-made playhouse — kids absolutely love it. Took two days and 2 people to assemble.
Raised Outdoor Clubhouse With Stairs
$899
Raised Outdoor Clubhouse With Stairs
Backyard Discovery
$899
Perfect For: Larger backyards
What We Like: All of the storage space for toys
Made out of durable cedar wood that’s finished in a brown hue, this budget-friendly outdoor clubhouse features both a ladder and stairs that lead to the upper roofed clubhouse with a porch, saloon doors, and sunburst windows. Inside the clubhouse are wooden storage boxes under a bench as well as a play kitchen with a sink and faucet.
Designer Advice:
This two-level outdoor clubhouse comes with all sorts of extras including an integrated five-foot wooden growth chart which makes it easy to track your children’s heights over the years. The lower portion of this outdoor clubhouse is a great spot to put a sandbox or even stow away bikes and pool toys.
What Users Say:
Bought this item for my daughter. She loves it. I play inside with her and so do her big brothers. Very sturdy, great statement piece.
Cedar Playhouse for Older Kids
$2399.99 $2239.99
Cedar Playhouse for Older Kids
Canadian Playhouse Factory
$2399.99 $2239.99
What we like: Great size for the average backyard
What we don’t like: Window openings don’t have glass or screens
Perfect for: As a clubhouse for up to six 8-10-year-olds
Not so great for: Setting on soft ground unless you pour a foundation
Constructed from cedar and spruce wood, this older kids’ outdoor playhouse is the perfect backyard clubhouse. Its natural and unpainted finish makes it weather resistant. Cedar doesn’t require any chemical preservatives and will not rot. Comes with a covered front porch and pre-shingled cedar roof.
With 48 square feet of play area, this outdoor playhouse is suitable for 8 to 10-year-olds. It has one large open space that could be furnished with some bean bag chairs, a table and chairs for clubhouse meetings or even a couple of mattresses for overnight sleepovers. This outdoor fort can be painted or stained — the only limit is your kids’ imaginations.
Cottage Playhouse With Skylight for Older Kids
$11200 $9249
Cottage Playhouse With Skylight for Older Kids
Outdoor Living Today
$11200 $9249
What we like: Four functional windows
What we don’t like: Requires full assembly
Perfect for: Adding electrical and plumbing for year round use
Not so great for: More than a couple of kids
This nine-foot square cottage playhouse has an open plan interior with a small loft area accessed by a wood ladder. It’s made from solid cedar wood and is pitch and resin-free. This lets you choose any stain or paint color to suit your backyard and provides a great space for older kids.
Multi Level Impression Outdoor Playhouse for Big Kids
Multi Level Impression Outdoor Playhouse for Big Kids
Backyard Discovery
Perfect For: Older children who need extra height as it’s a taller outdoor playhouse
What We Like: The mini integrated porch with side fencing
Crafted out of weather-resistant cedar material, this rustic-style outdoor playhouse for big kids comes with functional hinged half-doors and five large open windows. For a cool farmhouse look, it comes with a working dinner bell as well as a slotted workbench and five play tools that are ready for fun.
Designer Advice:
This outdoor playhouse for big kids can accommodate six children which makes it a great option for kids who love to have their friends over to play in the backyard. It measures 73 inches tall and 74 inches wide, so it works best for outdoor spaces that have room for a sizeable play structure.
What Users Say:
This adorable little country workshop is a great addition to your yard that your kids will enjoy. Easy to assemble and good quality.
Playhouse for Older Kids
Playhouse for Older Kids
What we like: Realistic tree trunk, branches and leaves
What we don’t like: The primary house colors may not suit every backyard style
Perfect for: Backyards that can’t be accessed by a crane or forklift
Not so great for: Fully landscaped gardens
The artificial tree has a hefty steel frame, while the trunk and branches are coated with a “bomb proof” coating (also used to line truck beds or new factory roofs.) All the tree leaves are made from an exterior poly-blend that will last for years outside in the sun or snow. The tree and playhouse are approximately 12’ square and 14’ tall.
Custom built, this Victorian playhouse comes with its own tree and a set of wood stairs to climb. No crane or forklift is needed to install this house in your yard. It comes in multiple pieces that are easily carried by two to four people to just about any location. If the bright house colors are the only thing stopping you from buying this playhouse for older kids, it can be painted as it’s made from kiln-dried wood.
Exotic Playhouse for Older Kids
Exotic Playhouse for Older Kids
What we like: Comes with a 200’ zipline
What we don’t like: High-ticket price point
Perfect for: Firing up the imagination
Not so great for: Small backyards
You’ll need a lot of space in your backyard for this amazing playhouse for older kids. There are gates and stone side walls, a crashed airplane and an extra-large country cabin. An eight-foot stone pond with a working water wheel and water tower ensures plenty of wet and wild fun.
The setting of this outdoor playhouse for eight to 12-year-olds is that of a Texas ranch. Apparently, an African airplane carrying exotic animals crashed at the ranch (without anyone being injured). But all the animals escaped, even a Tasmanian Devil! The adventure can begin with finding the escaped animals and using the zip line to stay safe.
Huge Shipwreck Playhouse for Older Kids
Huge Shipwreck Playhouse for Older Kids
What we like: Lots of opportunities for physical activities
What we don’t like: Lots of work to set up
Perfect for: Homes with large backyards or acreage
Not so great for: Smaller children
This huge pirate ship playhouse comes in two parts. It measures 8’ wide and 18’ long when combined, but the pieces can easily be placed further apart. Included with the shipwreck is a sculpted concrete tree that supports the larger section of the playhouse.
We love how this outdoor playhouse for older kids is set up for maximum physical activities. Your kids (and the neighborhood ones) will race up and down the net and stairs, and climb the rock wall. They’ll shoot water from the cannons and water balloon launchers. Send them out with plenty of water and a packed lunch, and they’ll make memories for a lifetime.
Tree Playhouse for Older Kids
Tree Playhouse for Older Kids
b4Adventure
What we like: Extremely easy to set up
What we don’t like: Need a mature tree to attach to
Perfect for: Two kids
Not so great for: Trees that are bigger than 24” round
An adjustable safety ladder is included with this ripstop nylon tree playhouse for older kids. The UV-resistant nylon fabric playhouse body on a sturdy steel frame extends up to 33”. A shade canopy can be easily lifted or lowered. Your older kids will feel like they’re in their own world while still close enough to raid the fridge for snacks.
Large Canvas Indoor Playhouse for Older Kids
Large Canvas Indoor Playhouse for Older Kids
Razee
What we like: Creating a private space within your home
What we don’t like: Uncovered PVC pipe structure
Perfect for: Adding fairy or market lights throughout
Not so great for: Outdoor use
At 52” by 35” and 60” high, this large tent is perfect for a playhouse for a teenager. It only takes a few minutes to assemble the pipe structure and drape the off-white canvas roof and walls. Two gauze curtains can be tied back or left closed. Fill the floor with a soft mattress pad, and then load on plenty of cushions and throws. The PVC pipes are a perfect support for stringing up fairy lights.
Hanging Playhouse For An Older Child
Hanging Playhouse For An Older Child
SereneLife
What we like: Weatherproof/waterproof fabric
What we don’t like: Colors may not suit everyone
Perfect for: A private retreat space
Not so great for: Smaller children who may fall out
Shaped like a flying saucer, this floating play house for an older child has a 40” round seat and can support up to 600 lbs. The detachable tent cover measures 52” high and comes with a roll-up door that can be lowered for perfect privacy. The weather/waterproof fabric lets you keep the playhouse out for the entire summer season.
This playhouse for teenagers does more than just provide a getaway space. It is designed to also support sensory needs through swinging. Swinging has been shown to help calm nerves and anxiety. It is regularly used as part of treatment for depression. Also very therapeutic for those on the Asperbergers/autism spectrum.
Buying Guide
Eliza is a creative interior designer who swears by the power of sleek interiors and quality furniture to transform daily personal and professional life. With a B.Sc. in interior design from Philadelphia University and a well trained eye for craftsmanship, she offers unparalleled advice on how to arrange your space to make it sophisticated, comfortable, and functional, whether it’s the office or bedroom.
A playhouse is often a place for a youngster to retreat and have a little time away from the world of grownups. It is easy to find a playhouse for a young child. Companies such as Lil Tikes make all sorts of molded plastic houses that can amuse the preschool set. But locating a retreat for an older child, age six to ten or older can be more of a challenge.
The most exciting designs of playhouses include:
The Cardboard House
Back in the days of refrigerator boxes, creating a cardboard playhouse was easy. But as packaging has become an environmental issue, such items are less available. Manufacturers and distributors have stepped into the gap by creating the coloring playhouse. The box is already in playhouse configuration, but the child or other interested parties can provide the decorations. Some of the houses come with outlines drawn on the house, while others are simply blank and waiting for a creative hand.
The Tent
From bed-tents to actual camping gear, there are few children who wouldn’t love to have some fabric walls into which to retreat when siblings or parents become just Too Much. A tent is easy to erect and can be folded up for storage when not in use. Theme tents, such as a log cabin or princess pavilion can create a place for games of pretend.
The Jungle Gym
Many backyard playsets incorporate a small “house” as part of their swing, slide, and exercise set up. Such places provide a place for school-age children to enact their games of pretend while stretching their muscles. The set might have a theme, but youngsters will often incorporate their own interpretations, so the structure might become a pirate ship, a fort or even a space-going craft.
The Small House
Youngsters who are approaching their teens, or even a few teenagers, appreciate a rain-proof building where they can retreat. When fitted out with appropriately sized furnishings, this can be a place to keep a diary, a few favorite toys, or even a craft project or two. It is the safe escape from parental supervision (at least nominally) where elaborate fantasies can be created and dreams dreamed.
The house itself can be a log cabin, a cute cottage, or even a converted storage building. Fitted out with a folding foam couch, a table and a chair along with some shelves for favorite items, and you might find your youngster taking refuge there quite often.
The Tree House
Somewhat like the small house, a tree house is a place to retreat. It can also be a place to play at being pirates or piloting a spaceship, or any number of other alternate realities that can be enacted in an afternoon. The beauty of a tree house is getting up above it all, being out of reach of non-climbing younger siblings or just simply out of parental sight, and therefore hopefully out of mind. (The savvy parent knows this, and allows the illusion of independence to thus flourish.)
Apart from checking that the playhouse conforms to national product safety standards, make sure the structure does not have sharp corners or any protruding objects, especially at head level. Check for any gaps that your children might fall through or stick their heads through. If there are swings or climbing walls, inspect them regularly for safety hazards.
