Dolls house for 3 and half year old?

Counting_Pennies_2

I wonder if you can advise me.

I would like to buy my 3 and a half year old a dolls house for Christmas. The ones I have seen are just two storeys and an attic room, and as such not all the standard room sets such as living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms will fit in.

My friends who have had little girls at the time I had my son, now 7 have all said they didn't find they acted out as much, because of this very reason.

I would like to think this house, along with the other wooden toys both my children have had will stay in the attic when they get older, the house probably in the spare room, I have always hankered for one myself, for when their children come along. I very much want this to be a long term thing.

So my question is, do I go for a more expensive one that has three floors and an attic so she gets all the room sets to make it in to a dream make believe, or just get the elc one.

My daughter has become very good at not destroying her toys now, and looks after her things.

What would you do, what have others found with dolls houses?

Thanks

Upyonder

You sound really keen on having the big one, if finances can stretch to that then go for it, you could ask family and friends to buy room furniture for Christmas/birthdays, or add to it yourself each Christmas or something.
My oldest DD (now 7yrs) got a dolls house (2 floors with 2 rooms on each level, plus an attic room) for her 3rd Christmas, she loved it, role played regullalry with the 'family'. As she got older, she took pride in setting it all out neatly. She still plays with it now, as does my 3yr old DD who loves it, and is very gentle with the people and furniture. I think a dolls house is something that can provide years of entertainment, and a good one can be passed down the family. Finances permitting, in your shoes I would go for the one you sound like you would most like to get for your DD, the bigger one with more rooms. Good luck deciding, and which ever you get, I hope your DD loves it

MadDogWoman_2

Hi CP,

I have a 3.5 year old DD too I'm also getting her a dolls house for Christmas, we're buying the house and have asked family to get the furniture sets. I would have loved to get her a bigger house but we don't physically have the room.

If you have the space go for the dream house.

izoomzoom

I've just bought a dolls house for DD who turned 3 earlier this month .

I got it off ebay, and it is a combination of plantoys and elc - all wooden. She loves it and we spend time each day playing .

I spent quite a lot, and travelled far but it is is 3 stories, has a separate garage and separate class room. It also has a 'farm set' but I've held those pieces back till after we have decorated her room.

PS I am in heaven and loving it , so say go for it.

fernliebee

I would go for the big one personally as it will last better. I have got DD the john crane cottage one, just because I don't have enough room for a huge one and she is only 2.5 so don't want it to be overkill. Personally I think the ELC ones are overpriced for what you get, there are some quite reasonable, good quality ones out there. If you were thinking cheap there is the chad valley one in Argos, you can buy a basement seperately to extend it as they get older, or if you were wanting to spend more there are some nice ones here: http://www.woodentoystore.co.uk/index.php?cPath=24

I quite liked the look of this one as I envisaged my DD and I decorating it over time as an ongoing project (then I woke myself up and realised she is 2.5 not 6 or 7, and I have a younger one who I would have to be so careful of all the tiny pieces, so holding of a year or two I think) http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Toys-R-Us/Toys/Dolls/Dolls-Houses-and-Accessories/Dolls-House-with-100-Pieces(0025587)

ETA: I always wanted a lovely dolls house, but was very content with sylvanian families, I had a few sets of this and loved them. I was limited by the house only being 2 floors though as it meant you couldn't set up the bathroom set or the dining room set as there wasn't room, I used to end up making shoe box houses instead

Tried re-doing the toys r us link but I can't make it work! Grr! It is basically a plain wooden dollshouse with 100 pieces of furniture for half price (£49.99)

newidentity

We found this to be an excellent compromise. Loads of room and cheapest we found. I couldn't fault it to be honest and my 3 and a half year old absolutely loves it.

http://direct.asda.com/Doll%27s-House---Pink/000784855,default,pd.html

Wicked_witch

Dolls House Emporium (www.dollshouse.com) has got a wide range of houses for children and grownups (yes, I have one!). If you don't want the brightly painted modern kind, something like the Classical might be good? Only thing is, they are kits so you'd have to be prepared to make them up. However, they do ready painted kits, so you wouldn't have to spend time doing fiddly decorating, unless you want to!

PS just looked at newidentity's link, that looks like a fantastic and money-saving compromise. I'm quite tempted myself!

leopard85

Personally, if she is good at taking care of her toys I would buy the large, more grown up dolls house as she will have it for years to come. Try looking in independent toy shops too as I've seen some stunning 3 storey dolls houses in the one near me. I know that Hobby Craft sell loads of furniture and wallpaper for dolls houses too btw.

I used to love my Sylvanian Families as a kid! I had a whole village set up in my room, including the 3 storey mansion with working lights, school, shop, bungalow and house... Happy days! It's a great idea if you want something which is a little more expandable as she can play at being a teacher or doctor etc. with different families.

Lunar_Eclipse

I would get the wooden 3 storey one that Argos currently have for c £35. You can also buy a basement level. We have it in plain wood, which was made by Chad Valley, so not from Argos but they look identical (except the current Argos model is only available in pink.) I had been looking at houses costing up to a few hundred pounds for the house only but am delighted with the one I bought.

Several friends have asked where we bought ours, expecting it to be much more expensive. It's very well made and an absolute bargain. It comes with furniture and people which are fine, but I bought it only for the house, expecting to throw the contents away, but the kids wanted to keep them.

Well used and adaptable as a dolls house, hospital, vets centre etc. Still looks good as new; I think we've had it nearly 4 years now. I'll definitely be keeping ours for any potential grandchildren.

Worth a look at least.

Caroline_a

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

I wonder if you can advise me.

I would like to buy my 3 and a half year old a dolls house for Christmas. The ones I have seen are just two storeys and an attic room, and as such not all the standard room sets such as living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms will fit in.

My friends who have had little girls at the time I had my son, now 7 have all said they didn't find they acted out as much, because of this very reason.

I would like to think this house, along with the other wooden toys both my children have had will stay in the attic when they get older, the house probably in the spare room, I have always hankered for one myself, for when their children come along. I very much want this to be a long term thing.

So my question is, do I go for a more expensive one that has three floors and an attic so she gets all the room sets to make it in to a dream make believe, or just get the elc one.

My daughter has become very good at not destroying her toys now, and looks after her things.

What would you do, what have others found with dolls houses?

Thanks

I think 3 and a half is a bit young for an expensive dolls house, but are you sure this is for her... or is it because you would like it?

I have to say that if it's for you, just go get it for yourself - lots of adults have them. However, if it's for a 3 year old, be prepared for parts to get broken, and lost, no matter how careful she is, whereas if it's yours perhaps it's something she can play with whilst you supervise?

themull1

I would personally buy a cheaper house for now, and if she remains interested in dolls houses, buy her a more expensive one when she's older, otherwise its a bit of a waste of money if she doesn't play it after 6 months.