Bob the Builder Playhouse

Reasonably simple to erect (don't be deterred by the bags of poles and joints--if you can keep your tot out of the way for 10 minutes or so then you should have no problem fitting it all together), the structure is covered in sturdy, flame-retardant fabric designed to withstand even the roughest pulling and tugging.

The Bob the Builder Playhouse, with dimensions of 102x76x106 cms, is ideal for a permanent place in a playroom--or in a garden during an elusive dry spell!), but if you just don't have the space, then it is simple to dismantle and store away until the Fix-it bug next hits your home. Age three and over. --Susan Harrison

Unlike other tents on the market, Bob's playhouse is a pole-and-cover construction and will remind Mums' of the traditional Wendy house, with a simple flap door. The fabric has an attractive matt finish, which is easy on the eye in the sitting room or garden. The fabric is also light and airy with the ability to "breathe" in hot weather. You don't need to be an aspiring builder to assemble the play tent--the instructions are clear and your child will enjoy watching the building process. Dismantling is also easy, unlike pop-up play tents which are impossible to fit back in the bag, this tent fits easily into the original box for storage.

The tent is fairly sturdy but will not withstand rough treatment. Watch out for breezes in the garden, tent poles (not supplied) are handy to secure the playtent, although kids do like to move the tent around the garden as they play.

The Bob the Builder Playhouse has a variety of role-play uses, and will interest all Bob fans. It's 102x76x102cm dimensions will limit an all-family party, but 2-3 small children will play comfortably. It provides an exciting, comfortable space, perfect for the young imagination. --Jo Fitzgerald

A playhouse or tent is an invaluable addition to any child's life. It becomes in turn a rocket, a ship, a den, a house for "mummies and daddies" or anything else the imagination can produce. The Bob the Builder Playhouse has the added attraction of a fabric covering printed with the familiar house design of Bob's world, as well as pictures of Scoop, Pilchard, Bird and Bob himself. It's bright and cheerful and big enough to accommodate two pre-school children at once. Entry is through a door cut at one end of the house, and in my children's view it loses points over other similar houses because of the lack of a functioning window. The material fits easily over a frame consisting of plastic poles slotted together, with joint pieces for the corners and angles. It's necessary for an adult to assemble the frame, and this is not immediately straightforward due to the necessity of identifying several different length poles and two different shaped corner pieces. The instructions are very traditionally worded like flat-pack furniture and are not especially user-friendly. When taken apart, the fabric and frame are very difficult to fit back into the box, making storage awkward.

Small children will love playing in and around the playhouse, although only true Bob fanatics will get any long-term benefits out of the Bob-based design which doesn't essentially add to the play value. --Caroline Parsons

This Bob the Builder Playhouse gives your child an opportunity to use their imagination and experiment with role play games. The exterior of the playhouse pictures Bob's own house along with Scoop, Bob, Bird and Pilchard.

The age range for this toy is 3 plus. An adult needs to put together the playhouse which comes as plastic tubes to build the frame and the playhouse cover. Construction is straightforward and an instruction sheet is included. The playhouse also tidies away easily after playing, as it packs away into box it came in. It could fit two, perhaps three children playing with toys in it, though is recommended for two.

My son was very excited when the playhouse was delivered and eagerly helped me to unpack and build the frame. He then spent the entire evening in the playhouse moving various toys into it (and being very quiet). He then discovered that his torch was the perfect toy to use in it.

Not every parent has space in their home for a playhouse, but this one is great as it is for indoor and outdoor use. The outer cover is made from a waffle type of material, rather than plastic, so shouldn't be too hot for kids to play outside in on sunny days. --Julie Illingworth

This comes a flat pack, and you need to put together a rather complicated assortment of plastic poles and joints, then drape the 'Bob' printed material cover over the frame. The material is quite thin, and the house is not really suitable for rough or outdoor play. My children, aged two and four, enjoyed going in and out of the house, but it's not very sturdy, and the play value is limited as it's a copy of Bob's house, and therefore can't be turned as easily into a shop, hairdresser's or whatever else they fancy.

If your child is a real Bobaholic, this might be the playhouse to get, but in my opinion there are better ones out there. --Rachel Elvidge