A playhouse is a small structure built for children to play in, like a miniature house in a backyard or bedroom. Some playhouses are elaborate wooden buildings with windows, doors, and even tiny porches, while others are simple fabric tents that pop up in a corner. Kids use playhouses as private spaces for imaginative games: they might run a pretend restaurant, hide from dragons, or host tea parties with stuffed animals.

The word also means a theater where plays are performed. The famous Globe Theatre in Shakespeare's time was called a playhouse, and many theaters today still use this name. When actors perform at a local playhouse, they're working in a building designed for theatrical performances. These playhouses range from small community theaters to grand historic venues.

Whether it's a child's fort or a professional theater, a playhouse is a place where imagination comes alive and stories unfold.