12 Best Cubby House Accessories for Big Play
A cubby house can begin as a simple timber nook in the backyard, then quickly become a café, a fire station, a pirate hideout or the family’s most popular little home. The best cubby house accessories help children make that space their own, while giving parents a polished, practical setup that is ready for years of play.
The trick is not filling every wall and corner. A few well-chosen details can create a stronger sense of ownership, encourage imaginative play and make the cubby feel special from the first backyard adventure.
Best Cubby House Accessories That Add Personality
Start with the details children notice first: a name, a sign and a front door that feels like it belongs to them. Personalised accessories work especially well because they turn a standard cubby into a place with a story.
A personalised cubby house number plate
A custom mini number plate is a brilliant finishing touch for the front of a cubby house. Add a child’s name, nickname, favourite word or a playful house number to give their little headquarters a proper address. It is quick to understand, easy to match to almost any theme and looks fantastic in photos.
For families building a race-car garage, an outback station, a little café or a neighbourhood home, a plate-style sign brings an instantly recognisable, realistic look. Choose colours that stand out against the cubby’s exterior and keep the wording short enough to read from the lawn. MiniPlate.com.au makes it simple to create a custom plate for kids’ play spaces, with free delivery Australia-wide.
A welcome sign or house name
A house name sign creates a lovely sense of occasion at the cubby entrance. Think “Banksia Cottage”, “The Gumtree Club” or “No Adults Allowed” - provided the grown-ups are still close enough to supervise, of course.
This accessory suits a more traditional timber cubby, especially one positioned beneath a shady tree or alongside a garden bed. It can also help set the theme before children have even stepped inside. A pirate crew needs a different welcome from a pretend bakery, and a simple sign does a lot of that storytelling work.
Letterbox and pretend mail
A small letterbox is one of those accessories that seems simple but gets used constantly. Children can deliver invitations, drawings, menus and secret messages between the cubby and the house. It supports early writing and role-play without needing batteries, screens or a complicated setup.
Choose a weather-friendly letterbox with rounded edges and attach it at a height children can reach comfortably. A few blank postcards, envelopes and a pencil stored inside will keep the idea going.
Choose Accessories Around How Your Child Plays
The right setup depends less on what looks good in a product photo and more on how your child already likes to play. If they spend hours serving imaginary snacks, build around a kitchen window. If they are always on a mission, make room for maps, binoculars and a lookout point.
Cubby kitchen accessories for little hosts
A serving window, lightweight play cookware and a small counter can turn a cubby into a bustling café in an afternoon. Add a chalkboard menu so the daily specials can change from toasties to mud pies. A simple bell near the window is another fun touch for taking orders.
Keep outdoor play food and utensils durable and easy to pack away. Wooden pieces can look beautiful, but plastic items may be the better choice in a cubby that gets damp after rain or is used with sand and water. It depends on where the cubby sits and how much weather protection it has.
A chalkboard wall or message board
A chalkboard is one of the most flexible cubby house additions. It can become a café menu, a school timetable, a treasure-map clue board or a scoreboard for backyard games. It also gives children a creative surface that is separate from the cubby walls themselves.
For less mess, consider a wipe-clean board and outdoor-safe markers. Place it under cover where possible, and make sure there is a small container nearby for chalk or pens so they do not end up scattered through the garden.
Steering wheel, binoculars and a lookout
A pretend steering wheel gives children a job to do. One day they are driving a bus, the next they are captaining a rescue boat or piloting a spaceship from the cubby deck. Pair it with toy binoculars and the cubby suddenly has a lookout station.
These accessories are particularly good for elevated cubbies with a veranda or platform. Always check that anything mounted to a railing or wall is securely fixed, with no sharp screws, loose cords or pieces that could create a climbing hazard.
Make the Cubby Cosy Without Making It Cluttered
A cubby is often small, which is part of its charm. Too many accessories can make it difficult for children to move around, especially when friends come over. Aim for comfort and character, then leave enough floor space for the real business of play.
Outdoor cushions and a small mat
A couple of weather-resistant cushions can make a cubby feel inviting for quiet play, reading or afternoon tea with soft toys. A small mat at the entrance helps define the space and keeps dusty feet from tracking as much dirt inside.
Avoid anything too precious or hard to wash. Backyard life includes wet grass, sandy shoes, sunscreen, snack crumbs and the occasional surprise visit from the dog. Removable covers and easy-clean materials make a real difference.
Battery-operated fairy lights
Soft battery-operated lights can make a cubby feel magical in the late afternoon, particularly for a backyard birthday or a family barbecue. Look for products designed for outdoor use, keep battery packs out of reach of younger children and switch them off when playtime is done.
Skip mains-powered lighting unless it has been professionally installed and is appropriate for the outdoor setting. A cubby should be fun, not another thing to worry about.
Curtains for a little privacy
Simple fabric curtains can transform a serving window or doorway. They are useful for pretend shops and puppet shows, and they give children the feeling that their cubby is a world of their own.
Use short curtains that cannot drag on the ground or become tangled underfoot. If the cubby is exposed to wind and rain, outdoor fabric or roll-up blinds will be more practical than standard indoor materials.
Practical Cubby House Accessories Parents Appreciate
The most successful cubbies are the ones children can use easily and parents can maintain without a weekend-long clean-up. A few functional additions can keep the space safer, tidier and more enjoyable.
Consider these practical extras when planning the layout:
- A wall-mounted storage tub for play food, chalk and small toys.
- Low hooks for dress-ups, hats or a tiny backpack.
- A doormat to reduce mud and grass inside the cubby.
- A covered toy box that doubles as a bench seat.
- A child-sized broom and dustpan for playful, helpful tidy-ups.
Match the Accessories to the Cubby’s Theme
A theme can help you choose with confidence, but it does not need to be rigid. Begin with one central idea, then add two or three accessories that support it. A custom plate and steering wheel may be all a transport-themed cubby needs. A sign, menu board and a few cups can make a convincing café.
Natural themes also work beautifully in Australian backyards. A bug hotel nearby, a small planter box and a bird-spotting chart can turn the cubby into a bush explorer base. For children who love building, add a toy tool belt and a safe workbench surface. For keen readers, cushions, a book crate and a clip-on reading light create a quiet little retreat.
The best accessories are the ones that can change roles as your child grows. A chalkboard used for pretend school at four might become an art board at seven. A personalised cubby plate remains a proud marker of ownership through every new game.
Before adding anything permanent, stand inside the cubby at your child’s height and check the space. Can they open the door easily? Is there room to sit with a friend? Are small items protected from rain? These quick checks help you choose accessories that look great and get properly enjoyed.
Give the cubby its own name, add a few purposeful pieces and let your child lead the rest. The most memorable backyard play spaces are not the busiest ones - they are the ones that feel unmistakably theirs.