The terms get used interchangeably, but there's a real difference between an indoor play house and an outdoor cubby house. One lives in the playroom. The other lives in the backyard. If you're trying to figure out which direction to go, this guide will help you make the right call for your family.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE
What's the Difference Between a Play House and a Cubby House?
In Australia, we typically call outdoor structures cubby houses. Indoor versions are play houses, play tents, or indoor cubbies. The distinction matters because the two are designed for completely different environments and types of play.
An outdoor cubby house is a permanent or semi-permanent timber structure anchored into the ground. It's built to withstand weather, UV exposure, and the kind of physical play that happens outside. Think climbing, sliding, jumping. These structures are substantial investments designed to last years.
An indoor play house is lighter, often fabric-based or MDF, designed to fit inside a bedroom, playroom, or living area. It's not weatherproof. It's not anchored. It's portable enough to move or store when needed. The play is quieter, more imaginative, more contained.
Both serve the same core purpose: giving kids their own space. But the experience, the construction, and the practicality are completely different.
INDOOR PLAY HOUSES
When an Indoor Play House Makes Sense
Indoor play houses work best when outdoor space is limited, non-existent, or unusable for most of the year. If you're in an apartment, a townhouse with a small courtyard, or a rental where you can't install permanent structures, an indoor option gives your kids a defined play space without requiring a backyard.
They're also practical for families with very young children. Toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years don't need a fort with a slide. They need somewhere cosy to play peek-a-boo, read books, and line up toy cars. An indoor play house at ground level suits that perfectly.
Best for: Apartment families, renters, families with toddlers under 3, homes where outdoor play isn't practical year-round, or as a temporary option before upgrading to an outdoor cubby.
What to Look for in an Indoor Play House
Size matters more indoors than out. Measure the space where it'll live before you buy. Account for door swing, furniture clearance, and enough room for a parent to crouch down and join the play without knocking into walls.
Fabric play tents are the lightest option. They fold flat for storage and suit toddlers who'll grow out of them quickly. The downside is durability. Fabric tears, zippers break, and most tents don't hold up to daily use beyond 12-18 months.
MDF Indoor play houses are sturdier and last longer. At Hide & Seek Kids, our Archie Indoor and Remi Indoor Cubby are designed specifically for inside use. They're finished, stable, and don't need painting or treatment. The MDF construction means they hold up to years of play, and you can pass them on to younger siblings or sell them secondhand when your kids outgrow them.
Avoid anything that requires ground anchoring or has exposed metal stakes. Indoor play houses should be freestanding and stable under their own weight.
Limitations of Indoor Play Houses
Indoor play houses don't offer the same physical play opportunities as outdoor structures. No slides, no swings, no climbing. The play is quieter and more contained, which is great for rainy days but doesn't replace outdoor active play.
They also take up floor space. In smaller homes, that's a real trade-off. You're dedicating part of your living area to a semi-permanent structure that can't easily be moved aside when guests come over.
And kids do grow out of them. By age 5 or 6, most children want something bigger, more adventurous, more like what their friends have in the backyard. An indoor play house suits the toddler and preschool years beautifully, but it's not a long-term solution for most families.
OUTDOOR CUBBY HOUSES
When an Outdoor Cubby House Is the Right Choice
If you have a backyard, an outdoor cubby house is almost always the better long-term investment. It gets kids outside, supports physical play, and holds their interest far longer than an indoor alternative.
Outdoor cubby houses suit kids from around 3 years old through to 10 or 11. The play evolves with them. At 3, it's a house with windows and a door. At 6, it's a bakery, a spaceship, or a secret hideout. At 9, it's still a hangout space, especially if you've added features like a platform, slide, or swing set attachment.
The physical benefits matter too. Climbing, balancing, sliding, and playing outdoors builds strength, coordination, and confidence. An outdoor cubby encourages the kind of active, unstructured play that's harder to replicate indoors.
Best for: Families with a backyard, kids aged 3 and up, parents looking for a long-term play solution, properties where outdoor play is practical year-round.
What to Look for in an Outdoor Cubby House
Timber is the standard material for Australian outdoor cubby houses. It's durable, stays cooler in summer than metal or plastic, and lasts many years with basic maintenance. At Hide & Seek Kids, we use untreated timber because children are in constant contact with the structure. Chemical treatment compounds aren't appropriate for play equipment.
Ground anchoring is essential for freestanding structures. Most cubby houses include ground stakes or anchor plates, but soil conditions vary. If you're on sandy coastal soil, high-clay ground, or an area with a high water table, screw-in ground anchors or concrete footings may be more appropriate. Check the installation guidance before you start assembly.
Size and layout depend on your backyard dimensions and your kids' ages. Ground-level cubby houses like the Herbie Cubby suit younger children and smaller yards. Elevated versions like the Herbie Cubby House - Raised add height and a slide, which older kids love but require more clearance around the structure.
Think about add-ons from the start. The Herbie Platform Add-on extends the play space, and many families add swing set attachments as kids get older. Starting with a cubby that can grow saves you buying a second structure in a few years.
Outdoor Cubby House Considerations
Outdoor cubby houses need space. Not just for the footprint of the structure itself, but for the fall zone around it. Australian safety standards require at least 1.8 metres of impact-absorbing surface in all directions from the equipment perimeter. That means bark, wood chips, or rubber matting, not grass.
Maintenance is part of the deal. Timber cubby houses need a seasonal check every spring: tighten bolts, inspect for cracks or splinters, clear debris from around the base, and apply timber treatment every 2-3 years. Properties within 5km of the coast need annual treatment due to salt air exposure.
Council rules vary by state and local government area. Most residential cubby houses under a certain height don't need approval, but some councils have specific setback requirements from boundaries. Check with your local council before installation.
MAKING THE DECISION
How Do You Choose Between Indoor and Outdoor?
Start with your space. If you don't have a backyard, the decision is made. But if you have both options, think about where your kids actually play most.
Outdoor play equipment gets used more often in Queensland, NSW, and WA where mild winters mean year-round outdoor play. In Victoria and South Australia, colder months limit backyard time, and an indoor option might get more use during winter.
Age is the other big factor. Toddlers under 3 don't need an outdoor cubby yet. They're not developmentally ready for elevated platforms or ladders, and a simple indoor play house offers everything they need at this stage. By age 4, most kids are ready for outdoor structures and will use them daily.
Budget matters too. Indoor play houses are cheaper upfront but have a shorter lifespan. Outdoor cubby houses cost more initially but last 10+ years and hold resale value if you take care of them. If you're planning to stay in your home for several years and your kids are between 3 and 8, an outdoor cubby is almost always the better financial decision.
Honest recommendation: If your kids are under 3 and you're renting or in an apartment, start with an indoor play house. If you own your home, have a backyard, and your kids are 3 or older, go straight to an outdoor cubby. You'll skip the interim purchase and get better value long-term.
SETUP AND SAFETY
What's Involved in Setting Up Each Option?
Indoor play houses are straightforward. Most arrive flat-packed and assemble in 30-60 minutes with basic tools. No ground preparation, no anchoring, no council checks. You're putting together a piece of furniture, not installing outdoor equipment.
Outdoor cubby houses take longer. Plan for 3-6 hours for a standard cubby, more if you're adding platforms or slides. You'll need a drill, socket set, spirit level, and ideally a second adult. Ground preparation matters: level the area, clear vegetation, and install impact-absorbing surfacing before you start assembly.
Both options need a safety check after assembly. For indoor play houses, check stability and make sure there are no sharp edges or pinch points. For outdoor cubbies, test the anchoring, check all bolts are tight, and measure the fall zone to confirm you have adequate soft-fall coverage.
AUSTRALIAN CONTEXT
Does Climate Affect the Choice?
Yes. Brisbane and northern NSW families can use outdoor cubby houses year-round. Melbourne and Adelaide families have a shorter outdoor play season, and an indoor play house might see more use during the cooler months.
Coastal properties need more frequent maintenance on outdoor structures due to salt air. If you're within 5km of the ocean, budget for annual timber treatment and rust-check metal components like bolts and hinges.
Extreme heat affects both options differently. Outdoor timber cubby houses stay cooler than metal or plastic alternatives, but they still heat up in direct summer sun. Indoor play houses don't have that issue, but they take up valuable floor space in air-conditioned rooms.
Explore Our Range
Browse our full range of outdoor cubby houses and indoor play houses designed for Australian families. All products ship Australia-wide from our Brisbane warehouse.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is best for a kids play house?
Indoor play houses suit toddlers from 18 months to around 5 years. Outdoor cubby houses are appropriate from age 3 onwards and hold interest through to age 10-12, especially if you add features like slides or platforms as they grow. The outdoor option has a much longer useful age range.
Can you use an indoor play house outside?
No. Indoor play houses are not weatherproof and will deteriorate quickly if left outdoors. The MDF isn't treated for UV or moisture exposure, and fabric components will fade and rot. If you want an outdoor option, you need a proper cubby house designed for Australian weather conditions.
Do outdoor cubby houses need council approval in Australia?
It depends on your local council and the size of the structure. Most residential cubby houses under 10 square metres and below a certain height don't require approval, but some councils have setback rules for structures near boundaries. Check with your local council before installation to avoid issues later.
How long does an outdoor cubby house last in Australia?
A well-maintained timber cubby house typically lasts 10-15 years in Australian conditions. The main factors affecting lifespan are timber treatment frequency, ground contact management, and coastal proximity. Properties near the ocean need annual treatment, while inland homes can go 2-3 years between treatments.
What's the best play house for a small backyard?
Ground-level cubby houses like the Herbie Cubby work well in compact backyards because they have a smaller footprint and don't require as much clearance as elevated structures. If your backyard is genuinely tiny (under 20 square metres), an indoor play house might be more practical than an outdoor cubby.
Are indoor play houses worth it for toddlers?
Yes, particularly for families in apartments or rentals where outdoor structures aren't an option. Indoor play houses give toddlers a defined play space and support imaginative play without requiring a backyard. They're most useful between 18 months and 4 years, after which most kids want something bigger and more adventurous outdoors.