A cubby house gives kids their own space in the backyard — a place to play house, hide from siblings, eat snacks out of sight, and stay out of the weather while still being outside. Our range covers timber cubby houses, plastic playhouses, fabric tent cubbies, and combination cubbies with built-in slides or sand pits underneath. Cubby houses from $150, with most family-sized timber cubbies between $400 and $900. Stock is held across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, dispatching within 1–2 business days.
What age is a cubby house for?
Cubby houses suit 2 to 8 years — the prime imaginative-play age range. Younger toddlers (under 2) explore the space but do not play imaginatively yet. From 3 to 6, kids spend hours playing shop, house, school or kitchen inside the cubby. From 6 to 8, the cubby becomes a hide-out and meeting space for friends. Most kids outgrow active cubby use by 9 or 10, although a well-built timber cubby can be repurposed as a teenager's reading nook or a garden storage shed once the play phase is over.
What types of cubby houses are available?
| Type |
Best for |
Footprint |
Price guide |
| Plastic playhouse |
Toddlers, easy assembly |
1–1.5m square |
$150–$400 |
| Fabric tent cubby |
Indoor or covered patio |
1–1.5m square |
$60–$180 |
| Timber cubby (standard) |
Backyard fixture |
1.2–1.8m square |
$400–$800 |
| Cubby with slide |
Combined play |
2–3m total |
$500–$1000 |
| Two-storey cubby |
Older kids, group play |
1.5–2m square |
$700–$1500 |
Plastic or timber cubby — which is better?
Each has clear trade-offs. Plastic cubbies are cheaper, lighter, and assemble in an afternoon — most ship in a flat-pack and slot together in 1–2 hours. They suit toddlers and last 5–7 years before UV makes them brittle. Timber cubbies cost more upfront but become a permanent backyard feature for 10–15 years. They look like real houses, kids play in them longer, and they can be stained or repainted as the child ages. Assembly is a full weekend job. For a 2–3 year old where you are unsure how much they will use it, plastic is the lower-risk choice. For a 4+ year old who definitely wants one, timber pays off.
Quick buyer's checklist
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Size: 1.2m square minimum for two kids; 1.5m+ for three or more
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Floor: Raised floors stay drier; no-floor cubbies need ground prep
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Door height: 90–120cm — too low and adults cannot help inside
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Windows: Cross-ventilation matters in summer
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Roof: Pitched roof sheds rain; flat roofs collect water
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Position: Half-day shade keeps the interior comfortable
Where should a cubby house go in the backyard?
Three things decide the best position. First, sight line from the house — a cubby tucked behind a shed gets used less because parents lose visual contact. Second, shade for summer afternoons — a sun-baked cubby reaches 40°C+ inside on a 30°C day and is unusable. Third, drainage — a cubby in a low corner sits in a puddle after rain; a slightly raised area or one with natural drainage stays dry underfoot. Most parents put the cubby on a 2–3cm gravel pad to handle drainage, then add a paver step at the door.
How much do cubby houses cost in Australia?
Cubby houses at Simple Deals start from $150 for compact plastic playhouses. Most timber cubbies sit between $400 and $900, with larger two-storey cubbies and combination units running higher. All cubbies dispatch within 1–2 business days from our Australian warehouses.
What most sites won't admit
Almost every cubby house sold online in Australia is imported from China — including ours. The real difference is not where the cubby is made, it's what happens after it lands in Australia. Marketplaces dropship straight from overseas containers, which is why "fast delivery" stretches into six weeks. We import in bulk, hold stock across our Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane warehouses, and ship from there.
The other thing nobody mentions: assembly time. Photos make cubbies look like a quick afternoon job. The reality: plastic cubbies take 1–2 hours for one person. Mid-size timber cubbies take 4–6 hours for two people. Larger timber cubbies with verandas and shutters take a full weekend with two adults, basic timber-working confidence, and a power drill. If you are not handy, factor $150–300 for a handyman to assemble — most local handymen do flat-pack assembly by the hour.
Frequently asked questions
What if my cubby arrives damaged?
Contact us within 7 days with photos. We will arrange a replacement or refund under the 12-month warranty. Transit damage is uncommon with flat-pack cubbies, but check timber pieces for chips.
Do timber cubby houses need painting or staining?
Yes — every 2–3 years for outdoor cubbies. Most ship with one base coat applied; you re-stain or repaint as needed. Unstained pine timber greys and weathers within a year if left untreated.
How long does delivery take?
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane: 3–5 business days. Perth and Adelaide: 5–8 days. Regional and remote areas: 7–14 days.
Can I pay with Afterpay, Zip or PayPal?
Yes, all three. A $600 timber cubby works out to four payments of $150 with Afterpay, four payments of $150 with PayPal Pay in 4, or roughly $50 a month with Zip over 12 months. Klarna is also available.
What's the warranty?
12 months on manufacturing defects, plus 15-day returns on unassembled cubbies in original packaging.
Complete the backyard play setup
A cubby house anchors the imaginative play, and a few pieces round out the backyard. Most parents add three at the same time: a slide for active play, a sand pit for quieter outdoor time, and a swing for older siblings.
Why us
Simple Deals — family-run since 2018. Australian warehouse stock. Support on 1300 456 786. Afterpay, Zip, Klarna and PayPal. 12-month warranty, 15-day returns. 4.66★ from 5,363 verified reviews.
