The location of your cubby house affects everything from your children's safety to how much they use it, how long it lasts, and even your relationship with neighbours. Before you start assembly, taking time to choose the optimal position will pay dividends for years to come. This guide walks you through every consideration to help you find the perfect spot.
Safety First: Fall Zones and Hazards
The most critical factor in cubby house placement is safety. This begins with understanding fall zones—the area where a child could potentially land if they fell from the structure.
Calculating Your Fall Zone
For elevated cubby houses, slides, and climbing features, the fall zone should extend at least 1.9 metres from all sides of the equipment in every direction. For ground-level cubbies without climbing features, a smaller clearance of about 1 metre is typically adequate, though more is always better.
Measure your cubby house's footprint, then add the appropriate fall zone to each side. This gives you the total space requirement. On paper, a 2m x 2m cubby with 1.9m fall zones requires a clear area of approximately 5.8m x 5.8m—much larger than the structure itself.
⚠️ Common Hazards to Avoid
- Hard surfaces (concrete, pavers, exposed roots)
- Fences, walls, or other structures within fall zone
- Garden beds with edging or stakes
- Clotheslines and their posts
- Trees with low branches
- Underground utilities (check before digging anchors)
- Swimming pools or water features
Ground Surface Within the Fall Zone
The entire fall zone should have an impact-absorbing surface. Options include rubber mulch, wood chips, sand, or synthetic turf with appropriate underlay. Grass alone is generally not considered adequate fall protection, particularly for elevated structures or during dry Australian summers when soil becomes hard.
When planning placement, consider whether the area already has suitable surfacing or factor in the cost and effort of installing it.
Supervision Sightlines
You want to be able to see your children playing from key areas of your home and yard. Consider where you spend time outdoors and indoors, and choose a cubby location visible from these points.
Kitchen Window View
For many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home where adults spend significant time. Being able to glance out the window and see children playing provides peace of mind and allows you to monitor play without constant trips outside.
Outdoor Living Areas
If you have a deck, patio, or outdoor living space, positioning the cubby within view of this area lets you supervise while entertaining or relaxing outdoors. This also keeps children close during family barbecues and gatherings.
However, balance supervision needs against giving children some sense of privacy and independence. A cubby directly under a window might feel too exposed for children who value their secret hideaway. Positioning that allows supervision at a moderate distance often works best.
Sun, Shade, and Orientation
Australian sun is intense, and cubby placement should consider both material preservation and comfortable play conditions.
Afternoon Shade is Valuable
If possible, position your cubby where it receives morning sun but afternoon shade. Morning sun helps dry overnight dew and keeps the area fresh, while afternoon shade protects during the hottest part of the day when children are most likely to be playing.
Look for existing shade from your house, mature trees, or other structures. If natural shade isn't available, you might consider adding a shade sail or planning to plant a tree nearby (keeping in mind fall risks from branches).
Consider Seasonal Sun Angles
Remember that sun angles change significantly between summer and winter. A spot that's shaded in summer might receive full sun in winter, and vice versa. In most of Australia, north-facing aspects receive the most sun year-round, while south-facing spots stay cooler.
âś“ Orientation Tips
- Position main openings (doors, windows) away from prevailing winds
- Face openings north or east for morning light
- Use the house or fence to provide western sun protection
- Consider deciduous trees for summer shade but winter sun
Drainage and Ground Conditions
Water management is crucial for both the cubby's longevity and safe play conditions.
Avoid Low Points
Don't position your cubby in the lowest part of your yard where water collects after rain. Persistent moisture accelerates rot in timber cubbies, encourages mould growth, and creates muddy conditions that track mess into the house.
Walk your yard after rain to observe natural drainage patterns. Look for spots that dry relatively quickly—these are your best options.
Check for Underground Issues
Before finalising placement, check for underground utilities (call Dial Before You Dig on 1100), septic systems, and stormwater pipes. Also be aware of any drainage easements on your property that might restrict permanent structures.
Level Ground
Ideally, your chosen spot should be naturally level or require only minor levelling. Significant earthworks add cost and complexity to installation. Use a spirit level on a long straight edge to assess the ground. A fall of a few centimetres over the cubby footprint can usually be accommodated with adjustable supports or minor groundwork.
Wind Exposure
Consider your local wind patterns. In most of southern Australia, prevailing winds come from the west and southwest. Position your cubby so these winds hit the back rather than blowing directly into doorways.
If your yard is particularly exposed, consider using fences, hedges, or garden beds as windbreaks. This makes the cubby more comfortable for play and reduces stress on the structure during storms.
Neighbour Considerations
Good neighbour relations are worth preserving. Think about how your cubby placement might affect those next door.
Boundary Setbacks
Even though most small cubby houses don't require council approval, there are still setback requirements from boundaries. Typically, structures must be at least 900mm from side and rear boundaries, though rules vary by council. Check your local regulations before positioning a cubby close to fence lines.
Noise and Privacy
Children playing can be noisy, which is perfectly normal but potentially annoying for neighbours trying to enjoy quiet time in their garden. If possible, position your cubby away from neighbours' outdoor living areas and bedrooms.
Similarly, consider sight lines from your cubby into neighbours' yards. An elevated cubby might provide views over fences that neighbours would prefer to remain private.
đź’ˇ Good Neighbour Tip
Before installing a large cubby house, consider having a friendly chat with neighbours to let them know your plans. This builds goodwill and gives them opportunity to raise any concerns before construction rather than after.
Access and Integration
Getting the Cubby In
Consider how you'll actually get the cubby house into position. Pre-assembled cubbies or large flat-pack components need to pass through gates and around obstacles. Measure your access paths before ordering.
Integration with Existing Spaces
Think about how the cubby will integrate with your existing backyard use. Will it block access to the garden shed? Interfere with ball games? Overlook the vegetable patch in a way that leads to tomato theft? Consider the flow and function of your entire outdoor space.
The ideal position often balances these practical concerns with creating a sense of the cubby being in its own special zone—close enough to be convenient but distinct enough to feel like an adventure.
Future Considerations
Think ahead when choosing your position. If you plan to add a deck or pool in future, will the cubby be in the way? If you're planting young trees for shade, where will they be in five years? Planning for the long term avoids costly relocations later.
Similarly, consider whether your children's needs will change. A toddler's cubby might be fine near the house, but school-age children often prefer more independence. Choosing a position that works for multiple developmental stages extends the useful life of your investment.
Making the Final Decision
After considering all these factors, you may find there's one obvious best spot. More often, you'll be choosing between several possible locations, each with pros and cons.
If you're torn, we suggest prioritising in this order: safety, supervision, comfort (shade and drainage), and then aesthetic and integration concerns. A cubby that's safe and comfortable will get more use than a perfectly positioned one that's dangerous or unpleasant to play in.
Finally, involve your children in the decision if they're old enough. Walk them through the options and explain the trade-offs. They might have insights about where they'd most enjoy playing, and their buy-in will increase their excitement about their new cubby.