Paperpods

I'm going to try very hard to avoid the old cliche about kids enjoying the packaging more than the gift inside, but I will say these cardboard play-houses from Paperpod would definitely please a kid just as much as an expensive, permanent version.

So if you have limited space, no garden, or a child with a short attention span, this might be just the thing. Choose from a rather impressive fort, a rocket (above), a pod (below), a teepee, and a common-or-garden house shape. At £17.00 to £30.00, they're a lot cheaper than a playhouse (but, admittedly, a lot more expensive than a cardboard box).

All of them come in the plain cardboard, so there's added potential for fun if you encourage your child to paint his or her own design. When play has finished, you just fold the whole thing up until next time.