One moment your children are running a mud pie café, complete with chalkboard menus and pretend sinks. The next, they’re on a lookout tower, defending a fortress or navigating a daring climb. That’s the beauty of a well-designed cubby house: it can become whatever the kids imagine. With just a few key pieces, your backyard can be transformed into a space that inspires creativity, movement, and endless outdoor play.
To help get you started, we’ve rounded up six popular cubby houses and play centres that combine quality craftsmanship, thoughtful features, and loads of play potential. Each one encourages active and imaginative play while helping to create a backyard space your kids will love.
Remember this is just a small selection of our large range of outdoor play equipment & we've got something for every family, every budget and every backyard. View the full range at https://www.thebestbackyard.com.au/collections/outdoor-play-equipment.
Camira Cubby House Set by Lifespan Kids
The Camira Cubby House is one of our top selling cubby houses and brings a homely charm to the backyard with its veranda, flower box and letter slot. A side kitchen ledge and pretend sink inside set the stage for all sorts of role-play...from running a café to playing teacher! It’s a compact option made from quality timber and feels safe and sturdy, making it a great choice for backyard make-believe adventures. Popular with younger kids espesically but provides fun for a wide range of ages. It's also affordable as well!
Warrigal Elevated Cubby House by Lifespan Kids
The Warrigal Cubby adds a bit of height and adventure with its elevated design and built-in slide. A climbing wall provides a fun challenge, while a shaded sandpit space underneath extends the play options. The addition of a chalkboard and tic-tac-toe panel makes it a great all-rounder for both physical play and imaginative games. The Warrigal is one of our favourite elevated cubby houses and gets rave reviews from kids & adults alike!
Plum Lookout Wooden Tower
If space is limited, the Plum Wooden Lookout Tower is a clever way to pack in a lot of activity. It includes a slide, swing set, climbing wall, sandpit, and even a steering wheel and binoculars for creative storytelling. While it doesn’t have an enclosed cubby, it offers plenty of opportunity for outdoor exploration and energetic play. The lookout tower comes in a few different options, including just the tower and as well as a monkey bar option so it can work for different sized & shaped backyards, as well as different budgets.
Darlington Play Centre & Swing Set by Lifespan Kids
The Darlington Play Centre offers a bit of everything in one compact setup. Swings, a slide, shaded play areas and a lookout tower with a medium footprint. This play centre was only introduced for summer 2024 but has already become a firm favourite and top seller. There’s a pretend kitchen ledge with sink, perfect for role-playing games, and plenty of space for siblings or friends to join in the fun. Made from quality timber and reinforced brackets, it’s built to last and designed for everyday use.
Plum Woodland Treehouse with Slide
Designed with sensory play in mind, the Plum Woodland Treehouse offers something a little different. It features a slide, climbing ladder, plant box, water bucket holder and chimes. It’s a space where kids can explore, grow their own plants, and let their imagination run wild, while staying connected to nature. Plum Play are one of our favourite brands & their products promote creative and imaginative play and help to foster a love of nature.
Kensington Play Centre & Swing Set – Lifespan Kids
The Kensington Play Centre from Lifespan Kids is a fully featured backyard setup, combining everything from a cubby space and lookout tower to a climbing wall, monkey bars, slide, and sandpit. It also includes thoughtful additions like a chalkboard, telescope and snack bench. The layout encourages independent play as well as shared fun with friends or siblings. You do need a decent sized backyard however as it's a big playground.
Planning Tips
Before setting up a cubby or play centre, take a moment to measure your space and consider how your children like to play. Some designs focus on imaginative elements like kitchens and chalkboards, while others bring in more physical activity with climbing frames, swings or slides. There’s no right or wrong & it’s all about finding what fits your space and your family’s style.
Safety is important when thinking about play equipment. Where possible, install on level ground with a soft surface below. Regularly check fixings, bolts and timber condition to keep things safe and secure over time. A well-maintained play space can be enjoyed season after season.
Explore More
We hope this guide has sparked some inspiration for your own backyard. Browse the full range of cubby houses & play sets at The Best Backyard to find the one that’s right for your home. With a little planning, your outdoor space can become a hub of creativity, adventure and happy memories.
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