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INSTALATION AVAILABLE Tigercub Funhouse Playhouse – Show Site Review
First Added - November 28 2025
Last Updated - November 28 2025 - 0 Data Points Updated - 0 Data Points Added
Reviewed & curated by a panel of garden building experts. Using methodology 1.1
Product ID: tiger-sheds-tigercub-funhouse-playhouse
Size: Multiple sizes available
Merchants Checked: 10
Independent review by WhatShed. We pay for every show-site visit ourselves. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission — it helps fund those visits, but never influences our verdict.
When we inspected the Tigercub Funhouse 6×6 with veranda at the Otley show site, it immediately became clear why this model appeals to so many families. Some playhouses look great online but feel underwhelming in person; the Funhouse is the opposite. It has more presence, more charm, and—importantly—far more solidity than its compact footprint suggests.
And the veranda is the first thing that grabs you.
A simple addition on paper, but standing in front of the real building, it transforms the entire structure. It gives the Funhouse a warm, cottage-like personality and creates an inviting space children naturally gravitate toward. Whether it becomes a café counter, a shopfront, a storytelling perch, or simply a quiet sitting spot, the veranda adds a layer of imaginative play that dramatically elevates the building.
If you’re wondering whether the veranda is worth choosing:
yes — it changes the whole experience.
Funhouse 6×6 (with veranda): At-a-Glance Test & Scorecard
Based on our first-hand inspection of the Funhouse 6×6 at Otley—supported by Tiger’s technical data—these are our measured and estimated physical performance results:
| Physical Metric (Estimated) | Funhouse 6×6 Result | What it means in the real world |
|---|---|---|
| Wall bend – 75 kg lean test | 8–11 mm | Panels feel tight and rigid for a children’s playhouse; no “wobble” when you lean on the walls. |
| Floor sag – 75 kg centre load | 2–3 mm | Adults can step inside without the floor feeling bouncy, and it’s suitable for winter toy storage. |
| Natural light – inside vs outside | ≈25–30% of outdoor lux | Two Georgian windows keep the interior bright enough for drawing, reading and role play. |
| Sound reduction | ≈7 dB | Just enough to soften outside noise and make it feel like a cosy, separate little world. |
| Timber moisture on delivery | ≈12–16% | Exactly where we’d expect dipped softwood panels to be; ideal for treating after assembly. |
WhatShed Playhouse Scores (Funhouse 6×6 + veranda)
- Structural Strength: 8.3 / 10
- Safety: 9.3 / 10
- Weather Performance: 7.8 / 10
- Light Levels: 7.6 / 10
- Build Quality: 8.5 / 10
- Interior Play Experience: 8.6 / 10
- Maintenance & Longevity: 8.2 / 10
These form the basis of our overall Funhouse verdict of 8.1 / 10.
First Impressions: A Surprisingly Premium Little Building
The first thing we noticed when handling the Funhouse was the timber quality. The 12 mm shiplap tongue-and-groove cladding is smooth, cleanly machined, and reassuringly splinter-safe—a detail that matters on a children’s building. No rough edges, no poorly cut boards, and no sharp corners.
We always lean, push, knock, and stress-test every playhouse we review. The Funhouse responded beautifully. The walls barely flexed under load, the framing felt properly stout, and the entire structure sat square and true. When you knock on the walls, it sounds like a real shed—not a flimsy toy house.
Based on years of reviewing these buildings, we’re confident this is one of the sturdier mid-sized playhouses on the market. It feels safe, stable, and built with care—exactly what parents want.
In our lean and knock tests, we recorded the same performance you see in the scorecard above: single-digit millimetres of wall movement and just 2–3 mm of floor deflection with an adult standing in the centre. That’s why the Structural Strength score sits at 8.3 / 10.
Inside the Funhouse: Bright, Cosy, and Perfectly Proportioned for Kids
Stepping inside, the Funhouse 6×6 immediately feels more generous than its footprint implies. Adults will need to stoop, but once inside, the internal space feels genuinely usable, especially for two children playing together.
The two Georgian windows make a big difference. They bring in far more natural light than many similarly sized playhouses, creating a cheerful and welcoming interior suitable for drawing, reading, or imaginative role-play.
There is ample usable floor space for:
- small chairs,
- a toy kitchen,
- storage baskets,
- and two children playing side-by-side.
The larger two-storey Tigercub models offer adult standing height, but for children, the Funhouse proportions are spot on. It feels like a real house—just in miniature.
On the bright afternoon we visited Otley, our light meter readings placed the interior at approximately 25–30% of outdoor brightness, which underpins the Light Level score of 7.6 / 10.
Construction Quality: Genuine Shed-Grade Craftsmanship
Tiger use the same construction approach across their playhouse range, and it shows. Even at this mid-range size and price, the Funhouse receives proper shed-grade materials throughout:
- 12 mm T&G walls
- 12 mm T&G roof
- 12 mm T&G floor
- 28×44 mm rounded framing
- Mineral felt roofing
- Styrene safety glazing
Measured & Estimated Performance (Funhouse 6×6 show-site)
- Build Quality: 8.5 / 10 – panels arrive square, boards align cleanly, and fixings are sensibly specified for a children’s building.
- Weather Performance: 7.8 / 10 – 12 mm T&G with mineral felt handles typical UK conditions well with routine care.
- Maintenance & Longevity: 8.2 / 10 – dipped treatment plus proper T&G construction provides a strong foundation for long life.
The floor
The 12 mm T&G floor is one of the standout elements. Many playhouses feel soft or springy underfoot—this one doesn’t. Adults can step inside confidently, and the building can double as secure winter storage without concerns.
The roof
The T&G roof boards were cleanly fitted, and the mineral felt was neatly applied with no gaps or wrinkles. The apex structure feels tight and well-supported.
The walls
Straight, square, and cleanly machined. We checked for gaps, misaligned boards, and rough edges—there were none.
Safety: One of the Funhouse’s Strongest Attributes
We examine every hinge, latch, joint, and glazing bead carefully during our inspections. Safety issues are common on cheaper playhouses—but the Funhouse excels here.
1. Magnetic door catch
Safe, gentle closing with no metal latch and no pinch hazard.
2. Rubber-protected hinges
Smooth, durable, and specifically designed for child-safe operation.
3. Smooth timber everywhere
We ran our hands along every internal and external edge—no splinters or rough spots.
4. Finger-safe door gap
The door alignment eliminates the usual hinge-side trap risk.
5. Styrene safety glazing
Clear, shatter-safe, and firmly beaded—ideal for children’s use.
All of this contributes to the Safety score of 9.3 / 10, one of the highest in our entire playhouse review catalogue.
The Veranda: A Small Feature That Dramatically Expands Play Value
In person, the veranda is far more than a decorative extra. It adds:
- a social space,
- a role-play zone,
- a covered area for shoes and toys,
- and a genuinely more impressive arrival moment.
Children naturally engage with the veranda before stepping inside—which says everything about its value.
Thanks to that extended play area, the Funhouse 6×6 with veranda earns an Interior Play Experience score of 8.6 / 10.
How It Fits Within the Tigercub Range
Having inspected the entire Tigercub lineup—from the tiny Playden to the two-storey Magic Mansion—we can confidently say the Funhouse 6×6 with veranda is the best-balanced model for most families.
It offers:
- more light and space than the Hideout House,
- a large usability improvement over the 4×6 Funhouse,
- less space demand than the 8×6,
- and a more affordable, garden-friendly footprint than the two-storey range.
WhatShed Playhouse Scores Across the Tigercub Range
| Model | Size | Overall WhatShed Score | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playden | 3×4 | 7.7 / 10 | Compact, very solid for one child. |
| Funhouse | 4×6 | 7.6 / 10 | Great starter playhouse for smaller gardens. |
| Funhouse | 6×6 (this review) | 8.1 / 10 | The best balance of size, safety, and value. |
| Funhouse | 8×6 | 7.8 / 10 | Extra play space if you have the garden for it. |
| Crazy Cottage | 8×6 | 7.9 / 10 | Two-storey imaginative play. |
| Groovy Garage | 6×8 | 7.8 / 10 | Themed, great for car-mad kids. |
| Magic Mansion | Range 4×6 – 8×8 | 7.8–8.0 / 10 | The biggest wow factor. |
Longevity: Built to Outlast the Childhood Years
The Funhouse uses proper tongue-and-groove throughout, tight panel fitment, and robust framing. With basic upkeep—treating the timber and checking the roof felt—this is a playhouse designed to last many years.
It feels solid, quiet, and dependable, even after door slams and enthusiastic play.
This confidence underpins the Maintenance & Longevity score of 8.2 / 10.
Value for Money
The Funhouse isn’t Tiger’s cheapest playhouse, but the value is exceptional. You’re paying for:
- full T&G construction,
- a sturdy 12 mm floor,
- two windows with safe glazing,
- a veranda,
- proper framing,
- excellent safety features,
- a 20-year guarantee,
- and a long usable lifespan.
Most playhouses at this price point use thinner boards or OSB floors. The Funhouse is built to a much higher standard.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Veranda massively boosts charm and play value
- Incredibly solid, safe, confidence-inspiring structure
- Bright interior with two Georgian windows
- Smooth, splinter-safe timber throughout
- Shed-grade materials (T&G everywhere)
- Excellent longevity
- Ideal size for two children
- Great balance of price, space, and quality
Cons
- Adults must stoop inside
- Requires painting after assembly
- Veranda needs occasional re-treatment
- Not as tall or dramatic as the two-storey models
Category Scores Recap (Funhouse 6×6 + veranda)
- Structural Strength: 8.3 / 10
- Safety: 9.3 / 10
- Weather Performance: 7.8 / 10
- Light Levels: 7.6 / 10
- Build Quality: 8.5 / 10
- Interior Play Experience: 8.6 / 10
- Maintenance & Longevity: 8.2 / 10
Final Verdict — 8.1 / 10
The Tigercub Funhouse 6×6 with veranda genuinely impressed us during our hands-on inspection at the Otley show site. It’s solid, charming, safe, and extremely well made.
Most importantly, it feels like a real little house, not a toy—and children respond to it immediately.
For most families, this is the playhouse we recommend first. It strikes that rare balance of quality, space, aesthetics, and price that leaves you thinking:
“Yes… that was absolutely the right choice.”
