Dollhouses: guide to buying the best

Do you want to make a nice gift but don’t know which one to choose among all the dollhouses? Here is a helpful guide that can help you

When I was a child, my dollhouse was made up of several shoeboxes joined together. Each box was a different room, I had made doors and windows and I had invented improvised furniture made with other small boxes.

Then when I became a mother I couldn’t help but buy a dollhouse for my daughter. I think that spending hours playing with dolls inventing stories inside a house is a nice way to stimulate dexterity and imagination, as well as a tender memory to carry in your heart.

Perhaps this is why the dollhouse is one of the most requested gifts by children. But despite the pressing requests, it would be good not to rush into the purchase. Better look carefully at the different models available before deciding which dollhouse appears.

What is the best dollhouse?

Truth be told, no dollhouse is better than any other. The best playhouse is the one that simultaneously meets the needs of both children and parents.
These are the things I recommend you consider before buying a dollhouse:

• Children’s age

  Not all playhouses are suitable for all ages. For children under 3 years old, due to choking hazard, better avoid dollhouses which have small parts. For older children you can certainly have more freedom of choice.

• Dimensions of the house 
  

  Dollhouses can also be very bulky and heavy and placing them in the house could be a problem. You may have difficulty moving them from one place to another every time, especially if there are furniture, accessories, dolls inside.
  Do you know where you will put yours? Think about it before buying one.
  If you have a dedicated space , then you can choose the size you want. If, on the other hand , you have space constraints, and you cannot keep a dollhouse fixed in one place, it is better to buy a smaller house or a portable one. However, remember that the size of the dollhouse affects which dolls children can play with.

• Type of material

  The most common dollhouses come in wood or plastic, and each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.
  Plastic dollhouses are easy to clean and disinfect, have rounded edges and can even withstand bumps and falls. For these reasons plastic is better for young children.
  Wooden dollhouses on the other hand are more environmentally friendly, come in a range of sizes, are built to last, and are generally the best choice for children over the age of 3.

Features to consider before buying a dollhouse

Given the considerable cost of a dollhouse, I also recommend that you first evaluate the various characteristics of the toy . For example, find out about:

• quality of materials: check that the house is made of safe and non-poor plastic, that the wood is smooth and that the paints are non-toxic;
• safety : it is very important that the dollhouse is well finished and does not represent a danger for children (sharp parts, detached pieces, poor quality accessories);
• what does the little house offer : is there only one room? is there a whole apartment? is it static or are there any modification possibilities: can it be opened, enlarged, reduced? Evaluate all these things well;
• accessories present : check if the house is empty with only the rooms or if it is equipped with accessories (furniture, dolls)
• popularity of the brand : if it is known and if its products are sold frequently, it is an additional guarantee that you can look for;
• customer opinions: reading the reviews of those who have already purchased the product can give you valuable additional information;
• Price : You can find houses that suit every budget and also with excellent value for money. In case of indecision, choose the one that costs less or you like the most for the same things offered.

Mistakes not to be made

• If you are buying a dollhouse make sure that the house and furniture are suitable for the size of dolls that will be used. One of the most common mistakes people make when buying dollhouses is not thinking about the size of the dolls in proportion to the size of the house. This could be very disappointing for children who, once they unwrap the package, discover that their favorite dolls are so giant that they cannot enter their beautiful new home.
• Many dollhouses are not suitable for children. In fact, there are dollhouses for collectors on the market (they are miniature ones). They are very cute, small and little girls really like them but they are not built to withstand play. In fact, these houses are made by and for hobbyists and collectors. They are more fragile and definitely not built with the safety of small children in mind.
• Another common mistake is buying self-assembly houses when you are unable to assemble. If DIY is not for you, first check the level of difficulty of assembly of both wooden and plastic houses. If too complicated for you, opt for a ready-to-use home.

Some three of the most purchased dollhouses

In the light of the advice I have given you, you are ready to buy the most suitable dollhouse for your children.
Both in stores and online you can find many and for all tastes. Here are some of the most popular with moms.

Ikea Flisat dollhouse

Ikea is known to have an eye for materials and the environment. In fact, this house is made of solid pine and allows children to create a cozy home for their dolls.

When the children grow up, the house can be hung on the wall and used as a shelving unit for books, photographs or other small objects. Coordinates with the other products in the FLISAT series. Suitable for children aged 3 and over.
This product bears the CE mark.

Kidkraft wooden dollhouse

Kidkraft is a brand specializing in children’s toys. It features a wide range of dollhouses from wooden to plastic ones. If you are curious you can find them here → kidkraft dollhouses

This model in particular is called So Chic KidKraft is the largest house. Approximately 1.2m tall with three floors, 10 rooms and 360 degree fun. It is Without external walls to access each room from any angle. The rotating base of So Chic allows it to be rotated and moved for perfect enjoyment of the game even by several children. Featuring 46 colorful hand painted accessories and perfect for 30cm dolls.

Hape wooden dollhouse

Hape is also a great toy brand that uses high quality wood. In fact, HAPE uses FSC wood, i.e. wood that comes from forests with responsible management (from an environmental, social and economic point of view). Among his wooden products certainly could not miss the dollhouse. This model in particular offers both the empty house that you can furnish with what you have, and the house with coordinated furniture.

1. Hape 4 season house NOT furnished 
2. Hape furnished 4 season home

These are the best-selling and most popular ones:

1. playmobil portable dollhouse 
2. howa foldable dolls house
3. Barbie dream house
4. eichhorn dollhouse

You will have realized that there are many things to consider when buying a dollhouse, but I hope that my indications can help you in your choice.