The Original Den Kit review: all-weather outdoor fun

Overall rating: 4/5

Price on writing: £45 | Buy now from Amazon

What we like

• Easy for kids to build

• Encourages imaginative play

• Comes in a handy bag to keep everything together

• Den-building tips and inspiration included

• Builds STEM and motor skills

What we don’t like

• You will need a couple of trees, rotary washing line or something similar to tie the string to

• Camo paint doesn’t wash off easily if you put a lot on

Key specs

Age range: 6 years and up | Size: 2.4 x 1.8m tarpaulin

What Mumsnet users say

“Den kit is a massive hit if you have a couple of trees.” Activity recommended by Mumsnetter notagaim

Our verdict

For real back-to-basics outdoor toys, you really can’t get better than building dens. The fabulous Original Den Kit, made by the Den Kit Company, contains everything a junior adventurer needs to build their own amazing outdoor den, all contained in one handy satchel. While your kids may prefer to do their den building in their own garden, this handy bag means the kit can be taken out to the park or the woods for adventures away from home. 

My kids found the den easy to put up and really worked well together as a team, which was great to see. They loved the camo cream too, although it took a real effort to remove it from my youngest’s skin after playtime was over.

The kit is a little pricey, and of course there are ways to make dens on the cheap. But if you have a young explorer who loves forest school or Cubs, then the Original Den Kit is a sure-fire hit.

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What’s included in the Original Den Kit?

• Canvas bag

• Tarp

• Groundsheet 

• Pegs and peg bag

• Rope

• Mallet

• Camo cream

• Enamel mug

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What’s the Original Den Kit like to assemble?

The Original Den Kit requires a couple of trees for assembly. Or in our case, a tree and a Swingball post. I tied the string between the two and helped the kids lay the groundsheet and hang the camouflage tarp over the taut string. My two kids, aged five and six, and their six-year-old friend were able to hammer the pegs into the ground through the eyelets using the wooden mallet, to hold the tarp in place.

The Original Den Kit comes with a sheet of den building tips and inspo, just in case you’re struggling to create the perfect den space.

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What is the Original Den Kit like to use day-to-day?

The kids really enjoyed building the den and once it was in place, they disappeared inside with their favourite board games. It was a bit of a tight fit, but the three were able to squeeze inside for a couple of rounds of snakes and ladders before going off to play with other outdoor toys. They used the den as a base to return to, rather than the main focus of their play, but other kids will enjoy the imaginative play element.

The camo cream went down well, with my five-year-old getting stuck in and covering herself in brown and green make-up. Just a word of caution: the packet says the cream can be washed off with soap and water. It took a wash, baby wipe, make-up remover wipe and a soapy shower to remove most of it, leaving a faded streak on her leg for school. So use carefully and sparingly!

The den was easy to dismantle, and the kids were able to remove the pegs from the ground without a problem. Everything folded down neatly and fitted nicely back into the bag, ready for the next adventure. The kit doesn’t take up much storage space at all, which is great if you are short on room. Ours is hanging from a peg in the utility room, taking up minimal space.

The best thing about the den kit is that the tarp and groundsheet are waterproof, so even if the great British summer takes a turn for the worse (likely), rain won’t necessarily stop outdoor playtime.

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Is the Original Den Kit good value for money?

Retailing at £45 on Amazon at the time of writing (May 21st, 2024) the Original Den Kit is a bit on the pricey side, particularly when you can create a den for next to nothing using blankets, sheets or even some old tarp that you may have in the garage.

But if your kids love the great outdoors, forest school, Cubs, all of the above, or you are just looking for a new and interesting addition to your garden toys, the Original Den Kit is an excellent choice. And for the right child, it would make an amazing gift too.

Looking for inspiration for more outdoor fun? Check out Mumsnet’s round-up of the best trampolines for kids, best scooters and the best garden slides for toddlers and beyond.

How we tested

Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and lives in Sussex with her two children, aged five and six. Her children took the Original Den Kit round to their friend’s house and tested it out in the back garden. The Original Den Kit was scored on how easy it was to assemble, transport, store and use.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.