Outdoor Playhouse Safety in Australia: A Parent's Guide
A backyard playhouse is safest when it is the right size for your child, sits on level ground with clear space around it, is firmly anchored, and gets a quick check every so often. There is no mandatory Australian safety standard written specifically for cubby houses, so the choices you make on setup and upkeep carry real weight. This guide walks through each one in plain terms, so you can get the cubby up and the kids playing with confidence.
TL;DR
- There is no mandatory Australian standard for cubby houses, but the ACCC publishes clear tips on ventilation, doors and finger gaps that are worth checking before you buy.
- Choose level ground, keep the area around the playhouse clear, and keep any raised floor low, particularly for under-fives.
- Anchor the playhouse so it cannot tip or shift in wind, and have an adult assemble it.
- Supervise young children, stick to age-appropriate equipment, and give the playhouse a regular once-over for cracks, loose fixings and mildew.
- In an Australian summer, think shade, heat and surface temperature as much as structure.
Table of Contents
- What rules apply to a backyard playhouse in Australia?
- What to look for in the playhouse itself
- Where to put the playhouse
- Anchoring and assembly
- Age, size and supervision
- Heat, weather and upkeep
- A quick inspection routine
- A playhouse built for the backyard
- FAQ
- Sources
What rules apply to a backyard playhouse in Australia?
The short answer: guidance, not a single law. The ACCC’s product safety guide for cubby houses and tents notes that there is no mandatory safety standard for these products, and offers practical tips instead. Those tips include adequate ventilation, doors that open easily from the inside, a gap of about 1.5 cm at hinged sides to prevent finger entrapment, and no splinters, sharp edges or entrapment hazards.
There is also a voluntary benchmark. AS/NZS 8124.6:2025 sets out requirements and test methods for activity toys for domestic family use, including toys intended for outdoor use by children under 14. Play Australia, in its backyard safe play fact sheet, makes a similar point: no laws dictate the design of backyard equipment, but Australian Standards exist as benchmarks for reducing how severe an injury might be.
What does that mean for you in practice? Treat the guidance as a checklist rather than a rubber stamp. A product that is well made still needs sensible setup, and a good setup still needs the right product for your child’s age. Standards are a guide for managing risk, and the Nature Play WA guide to the 2021 playground standards quotes playground specialist Andrew Reedy making the point that they should not be treated as absolute. Kids still need room to play, explore and have a bit of adventure. The aim is to remove the hazards that can seriously hurt them, not to wrap the backyard in cotton wool.
What to look for in the playhouse itself
Before anything goes in the yard, look closely at the playhouse. Here is what the ACCC guidance points to, and how you can check it at home or in the box.
- Ventilation. Small enclosed spaces can get stuffy and hot fast. Windows, vents or open panels help air move through.
- A door that opens easily from the inside. Your child should be able to get out without help, every time. Test it from inside if you can fit, or push it from the inside with your hand.
- Finger gaps. On hinged sides, look for a gap of around 1.5 cm so little fingers are not caught when a door or shutter closes.
- Smooth surfaces. Run your hand over edges, corners and window frames. You are feeling for splinters, sharp edges and anything a child could get stuck on or in.
- No entrapment spots. Check for gaps where a head, arm or leg could become wedged.
Material matters here too. Moulded resin does not splinter the way untreated timber can, and it does not rot or rust. Keter makes its playhouses from recycled and recyclable resin, designed for durability and straightforward DIY assembly, so a lot of the surface-level checks above are easier to tick off. You still need to look it over once it is built, as you would with any playhouse.
Where to put the playhouse
Placement is the most underrated part of playhouse safety. A great cubby in the wrong spot can turn into a problem.
Level ground and clear space
Aim for flat, level ground. It makes assembly easier, keeps the structure stable and avoids the need for a lot of ground preparation. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s outdoor home playground safety handbook recommends keeping a playhouse at least 6 feet (about 1.8 m) away from other structures or obstacles. Fences, sheds, trees, clotheslines and garden beds all count. That is a US publication, but the principle translates to any backyard: leave room to move around the playhouse, and room for a child to tumble without hitting something hard.
Keep it visible
The ACCC warns that children can be hurt if a cubby is in an isolated area or an unsafe place. Put the playhouse where you can see it from the kitchen window, the deck or the back door. A spot you can glance at while making dinner will get supervised far more often than one tucked behind the shed.
Think about the ground underneath
Ground-level playhouses with no raised play surface generally do not need special protective surfacing, according to the same CPSC handbook. That is one reason a low, single-level resin cubby suits many Australian backyards.
Things change when a structure is raised. Kidsafe SA’s cubby house guidance says that for cubby structures more than 600 mm above the playing surface, enough impact-absorbing surfacing is needed. Play Australia and Kidsafe SA recommend cubby fall heights should not exceed 1 m for children aged 0 to 3 and 1.5 m for ages 3 to 5, with designs that stop kids climbing onto the roof. If you are building or buying something with a platform, any guardrailing should be vertical rather than horizontal, at around 900 mm, so it is harder to climb.
For swings, slides and climbing gear that sit next to a playhouse, the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne’s backyard and playground safety information says soft-fall material such as woodchips should be at least 300 mm deep underneath.
Lawn, pavers and artificial turf
Many Australian backyards now have synthetic turf, and it can get very hot in summer sun. If your playhouse will sit on it, read our guide to playhouse safety, heat and wear on artificial grass. For a broader look at siting, see where to put a cubby in your backyard.
Check with your council if you are unsure
Most small freestanding playhouses are treated very differently from sheds or large structures, but rules vary between councils and states. If your cubby is large, raised, or close to a boundary, it is worth confirming first. We have a short guide on getting council approval for a playhouse in writing.
Anchoring and assembly
A playhouse that tips or slides is a hazard, and a light plastic one in a gusty Australian spring can move more than you would expect. The RCH advises that playground equipment should be firmly set into the ground so it is stable. For a playhouse, that means using the anchoring method that suits your ground and the manufacturer’s instructions.
A few practical points:
- Build on a flat area. It keeps the walls square and the doors lined up, and means less levelling work.
- Have an adult assemble it, ideally with a second adult. One manufacturer’s safe-playhouse guidelines, published in the US by Backyard Discovery, makes the same recommendation, and it holds for any playhouse with panels that need holding in place while fixings go in.
- Match the anchor to the surface. Soil, turf, pavers and concrete each need a different approach. Our guides cover how to anchor a plastic playhouse so it cannot tip or blow away, matching the anchor to your soil and securing a cubby safely.
- Finish every fixing. Leftover screws or loose caps are easy to miss. Count them against the instructions and tighten everything before the kids go in.
If you are also adding a shed nearby for outdoor toys, there is a separate guide on how to anchor a resin shed without cracking slabs.
Age, size and supervision
The best playhouse is one that fits your child. Play Australia’s guidance is to make sure equipment is suited to the age and size of the children using it, and to supervise young children on and around it at all times.
The RCH adds some useful numbers: play equipment over 1.5 m high is not suitable for children under five, the maximum height of any equipment should be 2.5 m, and adult supervision is strongly advised at all times for children under five playing outdoors.
In practice:
- Toddlers (0 to 3). Stay within arm’s reach or at least in clear line of sight. Choose a low, single-level playhouse with no climbing features.
- Preschoolers (3 to 5). They will test doors, windows and roofs. Show them the rules once: no climbing on the roof, no pushing, one way in and out.
- Older kids. They will treat the cubby as a clubhouse. Keep an eye on how many are inside, and check that the floor and walls are not being overloaded.
Healthdirect’s advice on safe exercise for children notes that a safe environment depends on a child’s age and size, and that it includes keeping an eye on the weather and making sure the play area is well lit and free of sharp objects and litter. A quick sweep of the area for sticks, rocks, toys and garden tools before play is a habit worth building.
Heat, weather and upkeep
Australian conditions are tough on outdoor products, and a playhouse is no exception.
- Heat. Small, enclosed spaces warm up quickly. Place the cubby in part shade where you can, keep windows and vents unblocked, and bring kids out for water and a break on hot days. The ACCC’s emphasis on ventilation is there for a reason.
- Surfaces. Plastic, pavers, turf and dark flooring can all get hot in direct sun. Touch them before letting little ones play barefoot.
- Wind and storms. Check anchoring after severe weather. If a storm is forecast, remove loose toys and cushions from inside.
- Mildew and grime. Damp corners can grow mould and slippery film. Our guide to cleaning plastic playhouses explains how to deal with it without harsh scrubbing.
- Sun exposure. Hats and sunscreen apply in the cubby too, particularly if the doorway faces west.
A quick inspection routine
The ACCC advises adults to periodically check that an outdoor cubby house is still in good condition. There is no official schedule, so pick a rhythm that you will actually keep. Many families find a quick look each season, plus after storms, is easy to remember. A two-minute check might look like this:
| What to check | What you are looking for |
|---|---|
| Panels and roof | Cracks, warping, loose or lifted edges |
| Fixings | Missing, loose or protruding screws and caps |
| Anchors | Movement, gaps at the base, loosened pegs or bolts |
| Door and windows | Door still opens easily from inside, hinges move freely, finger gaps intact |
| Floor and ground | Level, no pooling water, no new holes or rocks |
| Surrounds | Clear space, no overhanging branches, no sharp debris |
| Surfaces | Mildew or slippery patches, rough or sharp edges |
If you find a crack, a broken part or a door that sticks, take the playhouse out of use until it is fixed. Contact the manufacturer or retailer for replacement parts. It is also worth checking the ACCC’s Product Safety Australia recalls listings for any product you own. If a product is recalled, stop using it and follow the instructions in the notice.
Our view on playhouse safety
We think good playhouse safety starts with a product that is built to last and easy to set up properly. That is why we focus on durable, recycled and recyclable resin that does not rot, rust or warp, and designs you can assemble yourself at home without specialist tools.
But a well-made playhouse is only half the story. The other half is you: choosing a flat spot you can see from the house, anchoring it, keeping an eye on the little ones, and giving it a quick check now and then. We would rather you spent ten minutes on setup and have years of easy, relaxed play than rush the job.
Our hope is that the cubby becomes part of everyday backyard life, a place for rainy-day stories, tea parties and games that run until dinner. Safe setup is what makes that possible.
Liza
A playhouse built for the backyard
If you are ready to choose one, the Keter Kids Funtivity Outdoor Playhouse is made from durable resin and designed for home assembly. Pair it with the setup steps above and you are well on your way.
Got toys, balls and garden gear spilling across the lawn? Browse our outdoor storage and garden ranges to keep the area around the playhouse tidy, and read about child-safe outdoor storage formats before you choose a box or cabinet. Our playhouse safety checklist is a handy companion to keep on hand.
FAQ
Is there an Australian safety standard for cubby houses?
There is no mandatory standard specifically for cubby houses and tents, according to the ACCC. There is a voluntary standard for domestic activity toys, AS/NZS 8124.6:2025, which covers outdoor toys for children under 14. Use the ACCC tips on ventilation, doors and finger gaps as your buying checklist.
Does a playhouse need soft-fall surfacing underneath?
A ground-level playhouse with no raised play surface generally does not need protective surfacing, according to the US CPSC handbook. Kidsafe SA advises that cubby structures more than 600 mm above the playing surface need enough impact-absorbing surfacing. If your playhouse has a raised platform, follow that advice and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Does my child need supervision in the playhouse?
Yes, particularly for young children. The RCH strongly advises adult supervision at all times for children under five playing outdoors. Even with older kids, it helps to have the cubby in view of the house so you can keep an eye on things.
How often should I inspect an outdoor playhouse?
The ACCC says adults should periodically check that the cubby is still in good condition, but it does not set a schedule. A look each season and after any storm or strong wind works well for most households. Check panels, fixings, anchors, doors and the ground around it.
Can a plastic playhouse blow away in the wind?
A light playhouse can move in strong wind if it is not secured. Anchor it to suit your ground, whether that is soil, turf, pavers or concrete, and recheck the anchors after storms. Our anchoring guides explain each surface in detail.
Sources
- Cubby houses and tents guide, ACCC Product Safety Australia
- AS/NZS 8124.6:2025, Standards Australia
- Backyard Safe Play, Play Australia
- Guide to the 2021 Playground Standards, Nature Play WA
- Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook, US CPSC
- Cubby Houses, Kidsafe SA
- Safety: Backyards and playgrounds, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne
- Guidelines for safe playhouse assembly, Backyard Discovery
- Safe exercise for children, healthdirect
