Kids Outdoor Playhouse NZ

Cubby houses give children a space for imaginative play, social play and independent exploration. A cubby can become a shop, home, fort, castle, lookout, café or secret base, helping kids create stories and practise communication, problem-solving and cooperation.

When added to an outdoor play frame, a cubby house also encourages children to climb, move between activities and spend more time outside. It adds a calmer play zone to an active frame, which can make the whole setup more appealing to different ages, personalities and play styles.

There is no single age that suits every child. Many children enjoy cubby house play from toddler age, while older children often use cubbies for imaginative games, quiet time, role play and social play with friends.

For younger children, choose a cubby house setup that is easy to access, age-appropriate and used with close adult supervision. As children grow, a cubby house can become part of more active backyard play when paired with climbing frames, swings and other accessories.

Children should always be supervised, especially when climbing, entering or exiting elevated cubby areas.

Adding a cubby house turns a climbing frame into a more complete backyard play space. Children can climb, swing and move actively, then use the cubby for pretend play, quiet moments, social games or role play.

A cubby also helps keep the frame interesting as children grow. One day it might be a lookout tower, the next day a shop, fort or rescue base. For families with children of different ages, it gives everyone more ways to use the same outdoor play equipment.

Set simple cubby house rules from the start: climb carefully, take turns, keep hands and feet inside the platform area, and do not push, jump from height or overcrowd the cubby. Make sure children use ladders, steps and climbing points as intended.

Supervise children while they are learning, especially if the cubby is part of a larger climbing frame. Keep the area underneath clear, check the ground surface, and regularly inspect the cubby, frame and accessories for loose fittings or wear.

The space you need depends on the cubby house and the frame it is attached to. Allow room for the full product footprint plus a clear safe play area around the structure so children can climb, swing, land and move around without hitting fences, walls, trees, furniture or other equipment.

Before buying, measure your backyard and compare it with the product dimensions on the Growplay page. Also consider the swing path, access for assembly, the ground surface and whether you want space to add accessories or extend the frame later.