Child psychologists have long recognized the therapeutic power of the dollhouse — home is the natural center of a child’s life, so the dollhouse is the perfect place to work out big emotions on a manageable scale
The best dollhouses for kids offer a stage on which to enact dramas, create new narratives, or experiment with different or “better” endings to real-life sagas. And with dollhouses for toddlers, play shrinks down the familiar elements of everyday life and puts them squarely in a world they can customize and control. Not too big, not too small, but “just right,” dollhouses give kids a whole universe to explore — without having to step outside.
Especially in times of stress or uncertainty, dollhouses let kids escape, play, and express their fears and fantasies in a tiny cosmos of their own design. And because life under the coronavirus lockdown can feel like life in a giant dollhouse, its therapeutic value to adults shouldn’t be underestimated either.
The child development experts at Zero to Three encourage doll-play because caring for others helps younger kids learn empathy. Not to mention that pretend play with dolls helps kids develop language and literacy skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to sequence events. Bonus: Dollhouses are ideal for collaborative play, letting kids share and take turns.
Before choosing a dollhouse, consider the age of your children (small parts are a no-no for toddlers), how much space you have before you invest in a behemoth that needs its own room, and whether you want easy-to-clean plastic or more solid wood. Wood dollhouses can look like miniature design masterpieces, but they’re also, by and large, pricier than their plastic counterparts. There are doll mansions, high rises, fold-and-go domiciles, and modern and traditional dollhouses to consider — but they all give equal space to kids’ imaginations.
PlanToys Wooden Dollhouses
PlanToys Adorable My First Dollhouse
A flawless and flawlessly executed dollhouse that lets kids' imaginations do the work. You could get a gaudy dollhouse overflowing with decor. But remember, the more the dollhouse does, the less your kid has to do. A basic wooden structure like this one fires up kids' imaginations so they can make it whatever they want it to be.
Buy Now $125.33
PlanToys Contemporary Dollhouse
Beautifully crafted, this multistory dollhouse is so modern and streamlined we want to live there ourselves. There's an exterior staircase, a cool retro kitchen, and furniture that can be arranged in endless way. Plus, it's totally non-genderized.
BUY NOW $250.00
PlanToys Green Dollhouse With Furniture
This is a dollhouse built for the future, featuring household tools for radically reducing a house's impact on the environment. It has energy-efficient design — with solar panels, wind turbine, electric inverter, recycling gins, a rain barrel and shades to control sunlight and air circulation. And the dollhouse itself is sustainably crafted.
$250.00
Tender Leaf Dollhouses
Tender Leaf Cottontail Cottage
Kids can retreat to this idyllic country cottage for hours of positive play... opening the tiny wood shutters to let sunlight flood in while they go about setting up the attic bedroom for arriving doll guests.
$150.00
Tender Leaf Toys Dovetail House
An aspirational residence, even at this scale, this huge, roomy, and beautifully crafted dollhouse isn't cheap, but it does feature six bedrooms and all kinds of fine craftsmanship, from printed plywood floors to a soothing neutral palette.
$250.00
Tender Leaf Toys Cottontail Cottage Starter Furniture Set
A couch with cushions! A closet with hangers! A bed with a comforter! This detailed wood furniture is worthy of any dollhouse.
Buy Now $54.99
KidCraft Dollhouses
KidKraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse
A truly glorious wooden dollhouse for kids 3 and up. We'd love to live here, too. At 4.5 feet tall, it has eight rooms, comes with 34 pieces of furniture, and a moving elevator. Best of all, it's spacious enough to encourage collaborative play, meaning two or more kids can play together.
Buy Now $160.99
KidKraft Chelsea Doll Cottage Dollhouse
Here's a three-level dollhouse for the space-challenged, with plenty of detailing to make up for what it lacks in size. Two molded plastic staircases Three levels of open space 17 pieces of furniture Windows that open and close Large enough that multiple children can play at once Accommodates 4-inch mini dolls.
Buy Now $62.06
KidKraft Annabelle Dollhouse
Looking like something straight out of a fairytale, this dollhouse has three levels, four rooms, and a balcony. The canopied bed is dreamy, and the dollhouse includes 17 pieces of furniture, including a piano, chaise lounge, patio table, and claw-foot tub.
Buy Now $98.75
KidKraft Brooklyn's Loft Dollhouse
People in Brooklyn, let it be said, would dream of a place this roomy. We dig the detailed fire escape, and the balcony. The decor is straight out of 'Friends,' and the house itself comes with 25 fashionable accessories.
Buy Now $139.99
KidKraft Emily Wooden Dollhouse
The ideal dollhouse for those short on space, but big on details. More compact but no less gorgeous, this KidCraft dollhouse comes filled with modern furniture, and a bright, airy decor. It even has a rooftop patio that's ideal for al fresco suppers. The dollhouse fits 12 inch dolls and is ideal for smaller spaces.
Buy Now $79.99
LOL Dollhouses
L.O.L. Surprise! 2-in-1 Glamper Dollhouse
This is pretty much the ultimate house on wheels for any LOL fan. Not only does this thing come with 55 surprises, including an exclusive doll, but it has 10, count 'em 10, hangout areas. That includes bunk beds, a light-up pool, a slide, a fashion runway, a BBQ patio where they can grill some steaks, and a DJ booth. The front of the glamper detaches and becomes a separate car with a working horn.
Buy Now $70.54
L.O.L. Surprise! Clubhouse Dollhouse
Bring the party home with this dollhouse, which has multiple hangout areas: A game room, a skateboard zone, a hammock, and a movie room. It's three feet wide and even has a foosball table.
Buy Now $49.88
L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Disco Chalet Doll House
This six-room, three-story LOL Surprise chalet is the ultimate in heightened luxury. If your philosophy is of the go big or go home variety, get this dollhouse, which is 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Translation: It's grand. It has a chimney that snows, an ice skating rink that for real freezes over, a hot tub, a working ski lift (of course), and even includes anatomically correct LOL boy dolls.
Buy Now $529.95
Fisher-Price Dollhouses
Fisher-Price Little People Surprise & Sounds Dollhouse
This talking dollhouse helps kids learn more than 50 songs and phrases. It also has a flushing toilet, a talking alarm clock, and a fridge that lights up. It's a great option for younger kids to play with the same 'real world' stuff they see their parents using.
Buy Now $36.52
Melissa & Doug Dollhouses
Melissa & Doug Modern Wooden Multi-Level Dollhouse
This dollhouse, meant for older kids, features 19 individually hand-painted wood pieces of working furniture. Great for kids 3 and older (although we think this definitely skews even older than that), Melissa & Doug's wooden dollhouse is a multi-level wonder. It has three levels, five rooms, and comes with 19 pieces of furniture. Plus it has two movable staircases and five working exterior doors.
Buy Now $133.74
Melissa & Doug Hi-Rise Dollhouse
This colorful and non-genderized dollhouse comes with three play figures and 15 pieces of furniture, plus includes six rooms, an elevator, and a garage. It's open-sided, and with a door that opens and closes.
Buy Now $119.99
Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Mini Dollhouse
This Melissa & Doug miniature dollhouse is a great travel toy. This portable wooden dollhouse has working doors, comes with 11 pieces of wooden furniture, and two play figures. It has sturdy carry handles for portability, and opens fully when kids are using it. It folds closed for easy storage.
Buy Now $40.99
Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Doll House
This gender-neutral version of the fold and go dollhouse comes fully furnished and is easily portable.
BUY NOW $59.99
Hape Dollhouses
Hape Dollhouse
You can't get much better than this classic dollhouse, which encourages role-playing without relying on any gender tropes. A stunningly simple yet totally beautiful dollhouse, this one from Hape has zero gender-specific princess detailing, which we absolutely love. It's a three-story dollhouse with six rooms. Kids can easily move furniture and appliances around.
Buy Now $129.99
Hape Doll Family Mansion Dollhouse
This wooden three-story house, suitable for age 3 and up, has seven rooms, a garage and two balconies. Parents loved the neutral decor and solid-wood construction. Fun extras include moveable magnetic LED lights and a working doorbell. It comes with seven sets of furniture (including a barbecue grill), a two-dimensional pool area and a family of four dolls, all of which are around 4 inches tall.
Buy Now $136.59
Barbie Dollhouse
Barbie DreamHouse
If 'Cribs' filmed an episode dedicated to Barbie, this house would be front and center. The dollhouse is 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide, with a working elevator and a purple waterslide. If your offspring is into Barbie, just get him or her this dollhouse already. It's majestic and massive and unapologetically so. It has a home office, a carport, and a second-story pool with a slide that starts on the third floor. Yes, you can add water and you have an actual water slide. The kitchen makes cooking sounds and the toilet flushes.
Buy Now $179.00
Barbie Glam Getaway Portable Dollhouse
If you're short on space, this dollhouse is a solid option. Kids just fold it up and stash it away when they're done playing. It's got a compact kitchenette, a cute bedroom, and en suite bathroom for glam sessions.
Buy Now $37.07
Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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The post These Dollhouses for Kids Are the Ultimate Play-at-Home Toys appeared first on Fatherly.
#Gear
Especially in times of stress or uncertainty, dollhouses let kids escape, play, and express their fears and fantasies in a tiny cosmos of their own design. And because life under the coronavirus lockdown can feel like life in a giant dollhouse, its therapeutic value to adults shouldn’t be underestimated either.
The child development experts at Zero to Three encourage doll-play because caring for others helps younger kids learn empathy. Not to mention that pretend play with dolls helps kids develop language and literacy skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to sequence events. Bonus: Dollhouses are ideal for collaborative play, letting kids share and take turns.
Before choosing a dollhouse, consider the age of your children (small parts are a no-no for toddlers), how much space you have before you invest in a behemoth that needs its own room, and whether you want easy-to-clean plastic or more solid wood. Wood dollhouses can look like miniature design masterpieces, but they’re also, by and large, pricier than their plastic counterparts. There are doll mansions, high rises, fold-and-go domiciles, and modern and traditional dollhouses to consider — but they all give equal space to kids’ imaginations.
PlanToys Wooden Dollhouses
PlanToys Adorable My First Dollhouse
A flawless and flawlessly executed dollhouse that lets kids' imaginations do the work. You could get a gaudy dollhouse overflowing with decor. But remember, the more the dollhouse does, the less your kid has to do. A basic wooden structure like this one fires up kids' imaginations so they can make it whatever they want it to be.
Buy Now $125.33
PlanToys Contemporary Dollhouse
Beautifully crafted, this multistory dollhouse is so modern and streamlined we want to live there ourselves. There's an exterior staircase, a cool retro kitchen, and furniture that can be arranged in endless way. Plus, it's totally non-genderized.
BUY NOW $250.00
PlanToys Green Dollhouse With Furniture
This is a dollhouse built for the future, featuring household tools for radically reducing a house's impact on the environment. It has energy-efficient design — with solar panels, wind turbine, electric inverter, recycling gins, a rain barrel and shades to control sunlight and air circulation. And the dollhouse itself is sustainably crafted.
$250.00
Tender Leaf Dollhouses
Tender Leaf Cottontail Cottage
Kids can retreat to this idyllic country cottage for hours of positive play... opening the tiny wood shutters to let sunlight flood in while they go about setting up the attic bedroom for arriving doll guests.
$150.00
Tender Leaf Toys Dovetail House
An aspirational residence, even at this scale, this huge, roomy, and beautifully crafted dollhouse isn't cheap, but it does feature six bedrooms and all kinds of fine craftsmanship, from printed plywood floors to a soothing neutral palette.
$250.00
Tender Leaf Toys Cottontail Cottage Starter Furniture Set
A couch with cushions! A closet with hangers! A bed with a comforter! This detailed wood furniture is worthy of any dollhouse.
Buy Now $54.99
KidCraft Dollhouses
KidKraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse
A truly glorious wooden dollhouse for kids 3 and up. We'd love to live here, too. At 4.5 feet tall, it has eight rooms, comes with 34 pieces of furniture, and a moving elevator. Best of all, it's spacious enough to encourage collaborative play, meaning two or more kids can play together.
Buy Now $160.99
KidKraft Chelsea Doll Cottage Dollhouse
Here's a three-level dollhouse for the space-challenged, with plenty of detailing to make up for what it lacks in size. Two molded plastic staircases Three levels of open space 17 pieces of furniture Windows that open and close Large enough that multiple children can play at once Accommodates 4-inch mini dolls.
Buy Now $62.06
KidKraft Annabelle Dollhouse
Looking like something straight out of a fairytale, this dollhouse has three levels, four rooms, and a balcony. The canopied bed is dreamy, and the dollhouse includes 17 pieces of furniture, including a piano, chaise lounge, patio table, and claw-foot tub.
Buy Now $98.75
KidKraft Brooklyn's Loft Dollhouse
People in Brooklyn, let it be said, would dream of a place this roomy. We dig the detailed fire escape, and the balcony. The decor is straight out of 'Friends,' and the house itself comes with 25 fashionable accessories.
Buy Now $139.99
KidKraft Emily Wooden Dollhouse
The ideal dollhouse for those short on space, but big on details. More compact but no less gorgeous, this KidCraft dollhouse comes filled with modern furniture, and a bright, airy decor. It even has a rooftop patio that's ideal for al fresco suppers. The dollhouse fits 12 inch dolls and is ideal for smaller spaces.
Buy Now $79.99
LOL Dollhouses
L.O.L. Surprise! 2-in-1 Glamper Dollhouse
This is pretty much the ultimate house on wheels for any LOL fan. Not only does this thing come with 55 surprises, including an exclusive doll, but it has 10, count 'em 10, hangout areas. That includes bunk beds, a light-up pool, a slide, a fashion runway, a BBQ patio where they can grill some steaks, and a DJ booth. The front of the glamper detaches and becomes a separate car with a working horn.
Buy Now $70.54
L.O.L. Surprise! Clubhouse Dollhouse
Bring the party home with this dollhouse, which has multiple hangout areas: A game room, a skateboard zone, a hammock, and a movie room. It's three feet wide and even has a foosball table.
Buy Now $49.88
L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Disco Chalet Doll House
This six-room, three-story LOL Surprise chalet is the ultimate in heightened luxury. If your philosophy is of the go big or go home variety, get this dollhouse, which is 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Translation: It's grand. It has a chimney that snows, an ice skating rink that for real freezes over, a hot tub, a working ski lift (of course), and even includes anatomically correct LOL boy dolls.
Buy Now $529.95
Fisher-Price Dollhouses
Fisher-Price Little People Surprise & Sounds Dollhouse
This talking dollhouse helps kids learn more than 50 songs and phrases. It also has a flushing toilet, a talking alarm clock, and a fridge that lights up. It's a great option for younger kids to play with the same 'real world' stuff they see their parents using.
Buy Now $36.52
Melissa & Doug Dollhouses
Melissa & Doug Modern Wooden Multi-Level Dollhouse
This dollhouse, meant for older kids, features 19 individually hand-painted wood pieces of working furniture. Great for kids 3 and older (although we think this definitely skews even older than that), Melissa & Doug's wooden dollhouse is a multi-level wonder. It has three levels, five rooms, and comes with 19 pieces of furniture. Plus it has two movable staircases and five working exterior doors.
Buy Now $133.74
Melissa & Doug Hi-Rise Dollhouse
This colorful and non-genderized dollhouse comes with three play figures and 15 pieces of furniture, plus includes six rooms, an elevator, and a garage. It's open-sided, and with a door that opens and closes.
Buy Now $119.99
Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Mini Dollhouse
This Melissa & Doug miniature dollhouse is a great travel toy. This portable wooden dollhouse has working doors, comes with 11 pieces of wooden furniture, and two play figures. It has sturdy carry handles for portability, and opens fully when kids are using it. It folds closed for easy storage.
Buy Now $40.99
Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Doll House
This gender-neutral version of the fold and go dollhouse comes fully furnished and is easily portable.
BUY NOW $59.99
Hape Dollhouses
Hape Dollhouse
You can't get much better than this classic dollhouse, which encourages role-playing without relying on any gender tropes. A stunningly simple yet totally beautiful dollhouse, this one from Hape has zero gender-specific princess detailing, which we absolutely love. It's a three-story dollhouse with six rooms. Kids can easily move furniture and appliances around.
Buy Now $129.99
Hape Doll Family Mansion Dollhouse
This wooden three-story house, suitable for age 3 and up, has seven rooms, a garage and two balconies. Parents loved the neutral decor and solid-wood construction. Fun extras include moveable magnetic LED lights and a working doorbell. It comes with seven sets of furniture (including a barbecue grill), a two-dimensional pool area and a family of four dolls, all of which are around 4 inches tall.
Buy Now $136.59
Barbie Dollhouse
Barbie DreamHouse
If 'Cribs' filmed an episode dedicated to Barbie, this house would be front and center. The dollhouse is 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide, with a working elevator and a purple waterslide. If your offspring is into Barbie, just get him or her this dollhouse already. It's majestic and massive and unapologetically so. It has a home office, a carport, and a second-story pool with a slide that starts on the third floor. Yes, you can add water and you have an actual water slide. The kitchen makes cooking sounds and the toilet flushes.
Buy Now $179.00
Barbie Glam Getaway Portable Dollhouse
If you're short on space, this dollhouse is a solid option. Kids just fold it up and stash it away when they're done playing. It's got a compact kitchenette, a cute bedroom, and en suite bathroom for glam sessions.
Buy Now $37.07
Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Related Articles:
The Grief of Pregnancy Loss Does Not Know Gender
Miscarriages Are Incredibly Common, So Why Don't We Talk About Them?
Boy Sends Baby Yoda Doll to Firefighters Fighting Wildfires in Oregon
SpaceX Is Beaming WiFi to Families Coping With the Wildfires
The post These Dollhouses for Kids Are the Ultimate Play-at-Home Toys appeared first on Fatherly.
#Gear