Cubby houses nowadays are at the top of most children’s ‘must have’ list, but anything larger than a cardboard box takes planning, and some cubby house may need council support. We give you a guide to building or buying a cubby and some of the highs and lows that you could face on this child-bonding journey.

For those caregivers who would love to build a timber cubby, but just don’t have the time or expertise, plastic ready-made cubbies will keep children smiling for hours. And there are no frustrations about building or council approvals. Be prepared though, they can be like putting together a Meccano set. Many large toy retailers sell plastic cubby houses and activity centres.

If you decide to build or buy the cubby house it is important to remember that such a prized possession will instantly make a child the most popular in the street, therefore, prepare for the attack of children in the yard (and house) for a large hunk of the weekend. If you are prepared for a possible kiddie’s attack, please read on.

Cubby house types

If you thought a cubby was just a cubby, well you're wrong! If you plan to start searching for a cubby, you should disseminate yourself with cubby lingo:

Fort – is an open structure supporting various accessories such as scramble nets, slides or towering above a sandpit

Traditional – this is the most popular cubby and is a virtual mini-house with windows, a door, and verandah and if the child is lucky, comes with a few accessories. If a child is really lucky, the cubby house could imitate the main house;

Activity centre – has one solid wall and half height solid wall together with scramble nets and sand pits (a built-in version of a fort).

Accessories

If you want to actually impress your child and their friends there is an option to add accessories such as: slide, ladder, rope ladder, scramble net, swing, trapeze bar, sandpit, steering wheel, periscope/telescope, various handles to encourage climbing - and for those who just can’t live without one – a telephone.

Cubby safety

• Parental supervision is the number one way to prevent accidents.

• If younger children are crossing a raised cubby or fort, try to include guard rails, or you could also install soft rubber matting underneath

• Vermin would also love to inhabit the cubby after kids have been cooking in the kitchen, so make sure it is cleaned and secure at the end of a day’s play

• Be careful of holes that could house snakes or other creepy crawlies, including timber-loving spiders

• Round edges

• Use non-toxic materials

• Adult access