A dollhouse is something truly special. Look through the window of a dollhouse and you are peeking into another world: a cherished place full of miniature people and furniture where children can create a family all of their own. Today’s dollhouses are wonderfully crafted toys, adored by children and adults alike. However, did you know that dollhouses date back to Egyptian times?
The oldest examples of dollhouses were discovered in Egyptian tombs 5,000 years ago. Like modern dollhouses, Egyptian doll houses were miniature homes full of precious possessions, the only difference being these treasures had religious significance rather than being a toy. By the 16th century, dollhouses were created by adults for adults, as a way of experimenting with decorative fashions. It was not until the 18th century that dollhouses became plaything for wealthy children.
Today, a dollhouse is a prize possession in any child’s home. They encourage children to engage in imaginative role-play. Creating scenes and acting out dialogue helps children to develop emotionally, socially and intellectually. Managing a miniature home is good practice for when they have their own home one day!
We love dollhouses and we know you do too, so here are eleven of the best for you and your kids to play with.
11 of Our Favorite Dollhouse Sets
KidKraft Chelsea Doll Cottage with Furniture Lowest Price | Check price at | |
Hape All Seasons Wooden Dollhouse with Furniture | Check price at | |
KidKraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse with Furniture | Check price at | |
Melissa & Doug Hi-Rise Dollhouse and Furniture Set | Check price at | |
Peppa Pigs Deluxe House | Check price at | |
Melissa & Doug Classic Heirloom Victorian Doll House | Check price at | |
KidKraft My Dreamy Dollhouse with Furniture | Check price at | |
Fisher-Price Loving Family Dollhouse | Check price at |
1. KidKraft Chelsea Doll Cottage with Furniture
The Chelsea Doll Cottage by KidKraft is one of the most popular dollhouses for children. Made from molded plastic, this pretty doll house comes with 17 items of furniture and extends over three floors. The house is large enough for multiple children to play with it. The house is perfect for 4-inch figures. Your child will have hours of fun rearranging the furniture and acting out cute scenes.
2. Hape All Seasons Wooden Dollhouse with Furniture
The Hape All Seasons wooden dollhouse is perfect for children aged 3-8 years. It has six unique rooms for imaginative play and is completely child-safe. There are moveable stairs and even a reversible solar-paneled roof. This toy will last for years and makes a wonderful investment for your family.
3. KidKraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse with Furniture
The Majestic Mansion dollhouse from KidKraft is made from solid wood, plastic and other composite materials. It features 34 different pieces of furniture. There are eight wonderful rooms to decorate and create imaginative scenes in. The garage doors swing open for cars and there is even an elevator gliding between the second and third floors. This house is even large enough to accommodate Barbie and other fashion dolls!
4. Melissa & Doug Hi-Rise Dollhouse and Furniture Set
The Melissa & Doug hi-rise dollhouse and furniture set is perfect for homes and schools. The house has open sides and is decorated with gender neutral colors, so boys and girls will have lots of fun with role-play games. The house comes with 3 play figures and 15 pieces of furniture. There is a garage built into the house, so you can also add a car and start planning imaginative road trips!
5. Peppa Pig’s Deluxe House
The Peppa Pig Deluxe House is perfectly designed for Peppa, Suzy and George. This fun dollhouse comes with 3 figures and 15 different play items, including a BBQ, bunk beds and a bath tub. The house opens up to reveal four play rooms, and then closes up for safe storage. Peppa Pig fans will love it!
6. Calego Modern Doll House
The Calego modern dollhouse is safe for children to play with. It is the perfect size for 12” fashion dolls – Barbie and Ken will adore their new home! It is a light-weight, budget dollhouse with three separate floors, lots of furniture and decorations. Children can devise lots of fun stories for their dolls, then when playtime is over, the house folds flat and can be stored out of sight.
7. Melissa & Doug Classic Heirloom Victorian Doll House
Melissa & Doug products are made from top quality materials and this wonderful Classic Heirloom Victorian dollhouse is no exception. The house features gorgeous Victorian detailing, including hand-painted shingles, ornate window frames, elegant staircases and scroll-cut accent pieces. Each room has individual décor, so this dollhouse is sure to become a treasured family heirloom or your kids and their kids.
8. Maxim Designed By You Dollhouse with Furniture
The Maxim Designed by You Dollhouse is made from sturdy hardwood and is decorated with non-toxic paint. There are six different modular rooms, which can be moved and rearranged into multiple different configurations. The dollhouse is large and spacious with plenty of open access to all three levels. Furniture and two play figures are included.
9. KidKraft My Dreamy Dollhouse with Furniture
The KidKraft My Dreamy dollhouse is a beautiful dolls house with lots of great features, including an elevator, grand piano and a hanging plant. The house is exquisitely designed from composite wood products and includes lots of little extras to make role play games extra real: the toilet flushes and the grand piano even plays tunes! The house is large enough for Barbie dolls.
10. Fisher-Price Loving Family Dollhouse
The Fisher-Price Loving Family dollhouse is a classic design. The house opens up to reveal six rooms over four floors. Mom, dad, and baby are included, along with a sofa, baby seat and swing set. The house folds up so accessories can be stored safely inside when not in use.
11. Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Wooden Dollhouse
The Melissa & Doug Fold & Go wooden dollhouse opens up for play and folds back up again for travel and storage. This lovely dollhouse is hand-crafted from solid wood and includes two doors, two flexible play figures and 11 pieces of furniture. The house is suitable for children aged 3 years and above.
Dollhouses are a wonderful investment for kids, grandkids and any youngsters, and you can have hours of fun playing role-play games with your children. We think the dollhouses above are fantastic, but if you have a better one, let us know in the comments section!
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, Sarah_Ackerman.