Kid Culture features fun and educational books and toys for kids.

Box-o-Mania

By Box-o-Mania, $79.99-$89.99

Ages 5 and older

Toy Tips: A

Fun: A

Movement: B+

Thinking: B+

Personality: B+

Social Interaction: A

This playhouse combines creativity and imaginative play. It can be used indoors and outdoors as a space for kids to socialize, create, imagine and draw.

Made of corrugated plastic, it comes in panels that parents assemble, and when the kids are done playing, parents can easily take apart. It is large enough to fit three children comfortably.

The playhouse comes with its own storage case that can fit under a bed or in a closet. Kids can decorate the structure with reusable stickers and erasable markers to create four themes: fire station, beauty salon, house and clubhouse.

Our testers made their own theme and had fun changing it often. This is ideal for preschool and kindergarten classrooms, day care centers and for families with multiples.

Testers’ Tip: Because this can be used outdoors, pack this for traveling for camping, picnics and beach days. We suggest removing the reusable stickers if the weather is hot, muggy or raining. The stickers can fade with exposure to the sun.

Easy Playhouse

By Easy Playhouse, $39.99

Ages 4 and older

Toy Tips: B+

Fun: B+

Movement: B

Thinking: A

Personality: B+

Social Interaction: A

This white, cardboard playhouse may have to be built by adults but it is powered by kids. This blank canvas can be themed in any way and used indoors or outside. (Though it should not be kept outside in case of rain.) Most children love to have a space to call their own. So whether in a playroom, bedroom, living room or kitchen, kids can use this vehicle as a way to imagine and play and live out stories and scenarios.

Our testers made a castle, princess quarters, pirate ship, mailbox and circus tent all in one day. In the eyes of a child, this cardboard box will be something new all the time. It’s eco-friendly and recyclable.

Testers’ Tip: A fun activity for a birthday party or classroom project.