Bring extra fun to yourbackyardwith an outdoor playhouse.
Secret Spot
Adventure awaits in this lofted backyard playhouse.
A garden gnome and simple landscaping dress up the playhouse without seeming too fussy.
Fun and Games
Part playhouse, part playground, this sweet backyard feature is all fun.
Built into a hillside, the design takes advantage of its lofted status to add a slide exit.
And the similarities don’t stop there.
Inside, the garden playhouse is complete with a fireplace, mini kitchen, and even a loft area.
Backyard Fort
The fun happens in this backyard with its fort-like playhousecomplete with slide andpicnic table.
A railing wraps around the uncovered porch, while curtains frame the interior.
Green-blue paint inside gives the space a cocoon-like feeling, and piles of pillows add homey comfort.
When it’s time to leave, the slide offers a fun exit.
Come On In
A pretty paved walk leads to this classic children’s playhouse.
Wired for electricity, outdoor lights illuminate to accommodate fun even after daylight fades.
Hello, Sunshine
Windows built into small play spaces keep corners from feeling dark and unwelcoming.
Pretty window boxes and potted plants make the playhouse feel even more homey.
Captivating Cottage
A charming combination of colors and materials dresses up this garden playhouse.
Part of the appeal is the picket fence and arbor, details borrowed from full-size cottage gardens.
From the dormer window to the flower box and arched doorway, this kid’s playhouse exudes charm.
To help small structures fit into their surroundings, outfit playhouses with colors and details drawn from nearby buildings.
Replicate elements from the surrounding landscape, too, for added integration.
Play Time
While detailed kids playhouses are impressive, simple designs are just as fun.
This garden playhouse has it all.
A verdant color scheme of pale green siding and forest green trim completes the charming facade.
Here, linked circle gingerbread on the roofline does the trick.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Part playhouse, part children’s book fantasy, a treehouse gets dressed up with whimsical details.
The bright red paint of the “second floor” says, “The fun’s up here!”
Carbon Copy
Relying on details and materials can help playhouses resemble small-scale replicas of larger homes.
This petite version showcases standout accents, including stucco and stonework on the corners and chimney.
A flagstone “patio” is perfect for hosting outdoortea parties.
The fanciful roofline plays up the youthful charm of the whimsical purple and pink color scheme.
Pretty as a Picture
An off-the-shelf playhouse design gets a customized touch with painted flourishes.
Vines and flowers dress up the roofline, and make-believe clouds flit through the door panels.
Adding real-life elements like the mailbox fosters opportunity for imaginative play.
Slope Solutions
Clever design strategies can help solve potential site problems for a children’s playhouse.
This setup has the structure’s front door at the top of a small rise in the yard.
The house was then elevated with a slide going out the back.
Curtains and a dried flower arrangement on the door make the playhouse feel more like “home.”
A fenced-in mini yard completes the charming setup.
Integrate a structure like this into a garden for even more outdoor impact.
A vigorous climbing rose rambles over the roof.
A painted trellis covers the incline, and workable shutters shield the windows during inclement weather.
House numbers and a door knocker add imaginative charm.
The siding color takes its cue from the house behind it.
A simple interior includes open shelves for storage and a table and chairs for playing.
Plant Where You Grow
A cottage playhouse dresses up what could have been a boring backyard corner.
Bright blue pops along the roofline and trim keep the focus on the simple design.
Extras like a small potting shelf and a few plants and containers encourage pint-sized gardeners to plant and grow.
Play Time, Not Work Time
A few shrubs soften the landscape outside this traditionally styled playhouse.
The simpler the materials and finishes, the easier the upkeep.
Here, a layer of mulch around the bushes and building eliminates the need for mowing.
