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Spark their imagination with our top picks.

Whether used as a quiet nook to read or a place to create their own magical land, a kids’ teepee makes a great spot for children to spend playtime. After all, what youngster wouldn’t love their own private den?

Regardless of whether their play tent is being used as a rocket ship, magical castle or secret underground lair that day, creating opportunities for kids to disappear into a world of make-believe has plenty of benefits beyond giving you an hour to yourself. Studies have shown that imaginative role play helps to boost children’s emotional, social and cognitive development. Yep, your little one racing around in an Iron Man costume has more positives than you initially thought.

But before you invest in a new hideaway for your kids, there are a few things to consider.

Pop-up tents, naturally, don’t require any setup. They’re a good option for busy parents who want minimum faff – just take them out of the storage bag and that’s it. They fold down again in seconds, so you can tuck yours neatly out of the way when it’s not needed. As a result, they tend not to be especially sturdy. If you’re looking for something that will withstand a lot of rough-and-tumble playtimes, a playhouse with a stronger structure might be a better fit.

Teepees, held up with poles, are hardier. Set-up for most shouldn’t take longer than half an hour, and they’re less likely to tumble over or become damaged. They’re better placed in kids’ rooms and playrooms where you’re looking to carve out a permanent chill out spot for little ones.

Some are. If you’d like one that will withstand the odd rain shower, look for those made from water-resistant fabric, like polyester, polypropylene plastic or wood. Teepees made from materials such as cotton will need to be brought inside to prevent damage (and stop your kids from getting soaked through).

If you're worried about your little ones overheating or getting burnt, look for an outdoor tent that is crafted from anti-UV SPF fabric for extra protection. It'll offer your tots a cool shady spot to play games, without the worry of the sun's rays damaging their delicate skin.

Many teepees come with a built-in base. If yours doesn’t, it might be a good idea to pick up a padded mat to use inside. This will make playtime more comfortable for your children and help protect floors from accidental spills or mess.

From character-themed designs with fun dinosaur and rocketship prints to bright pop-up dens that can be taken along to playdates, keep scrolling for our favourite kids’ teepees and play tents, available to shop now.

Tots will be over the moon with this playful rocket ship and solar system teepee. If your mini explorer loves this style, pick up the rest of the coordinating bedroom set, including space-themed bedding, storage cubes and a matching rug. You can save £20 if you pick up the matching storage bag. It also comes in four other designs, including a stylish zig-zag pattern and a grey and white star motif. Age suitability: 3+ Size: 155 x 110 x 110 cm Base included? Yes. Material: Cotton canvas. Weatherproof? No.

Adorned with a top turret, a beautiful gold star motif and pale pink bunting, all budding Cinderellas will love this tent. A fancy tie-back curtain will allow for a grand entrance, while tots can check on their royal subjects from two side windows. A matching storage bag is included. Age suitability: Up to 10+ Size: 160 x 120cm Base included? No. Material: Polyester. Weatherproof? Yes.

This outdoor tent will make the perfect den for your little buddies to play while you’re enjoying a spot of sunbathing. It’s extendable up to 6ft, meaning even the biggest grown-ups can drop in for a quick storytime session. The Gruffalo, anyone? ​ Age suitability: 2+ Size: 183 x 140 x 147cm Base included? Yes. Material: Polypropylene plastic. Weatherproof? Yes.

Complete with flowing lace and flower decorations, this gorgeous teepee will be the perfect addition to any special birthday or summer party. It’ll make for a beautiful photo opportunity – as long as the kids aren’t smeared in birthday cake...

It’s currently on sale with just under 25% off, bringing the price down to £37.99 from £49.99.

Age suitability: 3+ Size: 119.4 x 119.4 x 152.4cm Base included? No. Material: Lace and canvas. Weatherproof? No.

Fact: kids love space. So treat your little astronauts to this roomy playhouse, complete with a fun rocketship print. Once your tots have come back down to earth, you can pack it away in its handy storage bag. Setup only takes 10 minutes, too. For a sweet extra touch, you can personalise this tent with your little one’s name for an extra £15.

Age suitability: 3+ Size: 160 x 120 x 120cm Base included? No. Material: 100% cotton. Weatherproof? No.

Pretty and summery, this pop-up tent will provide the perfect spot to host a dolls’ tea party during any sunny garden get-togethers. Youngsters will love to lounge around in it during lively sleepovers, too.

Age suitability: 3+ Size: 160 x 120 x 120cm Base included? Yes. Material: Nylon. Weatherproof? No.

Kids will enjoy hours of fun in this rawr-some play tent and tunnel combo. They can keep watch for dinosaurs through the roll-up double doors or make a quick escape from grouchy velociraptors through the pop-up tunnel.

Age suitability: 2+ Size: 80 x 70 x 70 Base included? Yes. Material: Polyester. Weatherproof? Yes.

Perfect for smaller spaces, attach this pretty canopy tent to the ceiling and let it flow down to create a peaceful reading nook for your children. Just add some plush cushions and soft toys to make it cosy. It also comes in white.

Size: 260cm x 60cm Base included? No. Material: Cotton gauze. Weatherproof? No.

For creative kids (or parents), this plain teepee is a blank canvas waiting to be embellished. Multi-coloured bunting or honeycomb balls will add some colour and character, while a soft rug, fluffy cushions and your child’s favourite teddies or toys will make it feel welcoming inside. Right now, it’s reduced to £75.21 from £89.95 – that’s a decent £14 saving.

Age suitability: 3+ Size: 155 x 143 x 113cm Base included? No. Material: Cotton canvas. Weatherproof? No.

Swing into action with this Spider-Man tent, the perfect playspace for a mini Marvel fan. A roll-up front door and smaller back door allows little superheroes to come and go as they please, while an upper window lets in some light and ventilation – and lets them spy on any pesky villains.

Age suitability: 2+ Size: 100 x 85 x 65cm Base included? Yes. Material: Polypropylene plastic. Weatherproof? Yes.

With clever anti-UV fabric, this sweet baby blue tent will provide some protection for tots’ delicate skin on hot and sticky afternoons. Mesh along the base will help prevent little ones from getting too hot during extended play sessions, while a double-sided waterproof base means a bit of rain doesn’t have to stop the fun!

Age suitability: Suitable from birth Size: 100 x 100cm Base included? Yes. Material: Polyester. Weatherproof? Yes.

This teepee is pricey, but it’s the biggest on our list and crafted from high quality wood that can be left outside throughout the year. Unlike our other picks, it’ll take some time to assemble but it comes bare so you can spruce it up however you'd like with bunting, fairy lights and paint. A perfect summer craft project for you and your kids – if they’re big enough to help decorate it!

Right now, it’s reduced to £599.99 from £840 – that’s an impressive £240 saving.

Age suitability: 3+ Size: 330 x 220 x 220cm Base included? Yes. Material: European spruce wood. Weatherproof? Yes.

This sweet dalmatian-print teepee comes with a small mesh window so your kids can play peekaboo and call for snacks – or let you check what they’re up to! Aldi has a few other teepees for tots, including this adorable dinosaur option.

Age suitability: 18+ months Size: 142 x 97 x 97cm Base included? No. Material: Cotton canvas. Weatherproof? No.