Little Tikes Playhouse: Endless Instant Fun

The Little Tikes playhouse is a great option if you don't have the time or inclination to build a playhouse yourself. They're one of the best selling brands in the world and are particularly good for toddlers and young children up to around 7 years old.

Kids love being outside and playhouses are a wonderful focal point for play, inspiring their imagination and encouraging them to socialise with friends. What's really great about this range is that they take less than an hour to assemble and install. Made from durable, low maintenance moulded plastic, they're brilliant for any backyard or inside space. They come in a wide variety of designs to suit boys and girls and cater to all budgets.

The other bonus of buying a plastic playhouse is that they don't require any maintenance. You can leave them outside in all weather and they'll last a good few years. You'll just need to watch for cracks that can appear in very cold or very hot weather. But you certainly won't have to maintain and retreat them as is the case with a wooden playhouse.

If you're interested in buying an easy to install, plastic playhouse for your child, then Little Tikes are a good brand to choose.

Here's a review of their top 5 playhouses:

Secret Garden Cottage

One of the smallest and most economical in the Little Tikes playhouse range. This is a really good option for small spaces and very easy to assemble. Priced around $170, it's ideal for inside and outside play. Aimed at kids between 18 months and five years old, it features a mail slot, door bell and brightly coloured living room to entertain friends.

Picnic N Playhouse

Most kids love having a tea party with their friends, especially little girls. This is a playhouse and picnic area in one, complete with play food, tableware, kitchenette, oven, cupboards and fireplace. Outside is a table with chairs, complete with a door bell to let them know when their guests have arrived. This is a great playhouse for inspiring the imagination and encouraging social play in the outdoors. It costs around $240.

Classic Castle

Perfect for kids who love adventure and imaginative play, the castle has a realistic stone facade and lookout tower with platform. There's also a built-in slide plus a secret doorway through the fireplace, which kids will love using to get in and out of the playhouse. The price is around $300, depending on where you buy it from and the time of year.

Endless Adventures Tikes Town

This is a Little Tikes playhouse best seller and is priced around $300. It's really great for keeping children entertained and preventing them from getting bored. That's because it has four themed walls, including a school house, firehouse, grocery store and bank, as well as a sports wall with five different games to get them moving and burn off their energy.

Endless Adventures Playcenter

The most expensive in the range, between $500 and $700, depending on sale prices and promotion. This playhouse has a kitchen, full height door and bay window, creating a lovely space for kids to socialise with their friends. Then to burn off some extra energy and keep children up to 6 years old entertained, there is a multi level climbing deck and slide.

Prices and Where to Buy

Do bear in mind that prices for a Little Tikes playhouse can vary, depending on the season and where you buy them from. Don't forget to also check how much you'll be charged for packaging and shipping, as this can vary greatly between suppliers. You can buy direct from their website, or go through online retailers such as Amazon or Ebay, who often reduce their prices to clear stock.