Description

Dollhouses are magical. In this tech-savvy agewhere endless new gadgets and toys are made every day, dollhousesremain popular not just among kids but many adults as well. Theycan range from simple cardboard boxes stacked one above the otherto multimillion-dollar miniature houses displayed in museums.

There is something about miniature houses with their detailedfurnishing and accessories that entices everyone. It is the perfecttoy for pretend play as it stimulates the child's imagination andallows him/her to create the perfect dream world.

With so many types of dollhouses available in the market, fromthe traditional wooden dollhouses to modern-day Barbie houses,picking the right one for your child can be really confusing. Hereare a list of things that you need to consider when choosing adollhouse for your kid.

Choose the Right Material

Dollhouses are made of either plastic, wood, or cardboard.Traditional wooden dollhouses, being quite popular, are mostly madeof 9 mm thick MDF board or plywood. Due to their sturdiness anddurability, these dollhouses remain a favorite among kids as wellas miniature collectors. Moreover, they can become a wonderfulfamily heirloom that is passed on to the next generation. If youare looking for wooden dollhouses, then you should take a look atthe Melissa & Doug Multi-Level Wooden Dollhouse and KidKraftKayla Dollhouse. These dollhouses, however, are quite expensive,and some may not accommodate all your existing dolls.

Apart from wooden dollhouses, modern plastic dollhouses alsofind favor among kids since they are available in bright andcolorful designs. Also, they are cheaper than wooden dollhouses.The hard plastic is durable, easy to clean, and can be moldedeasily for beautiful details. Moreover, you can buy a range ofaccessories and furniture for these dollhouses at lower prices.Some popular plastic dollhouses include: Barbie Dreamhouse, DisneyPrincess Ultimate Dream Castle, and Fisher-Price Loving Family -Family Manor.

If you are interested in DIY crafts, then you can make cardboarddollhouses at home. Not only are they fun to play with, but canalso be made at virtually no cost. All you need is some cardboardboxes, colorful paper along with glue, scissors, and other craftsupplies. Cardboard dollhouses made at home may not be sturdy, butthey are really fun to make, and you can easily customize them.

Consider the Size

Various scaled-down versions of dollhouses are available in themarket―1:12, 1:24, and 1:48. If the dollhouse is 1:12 in scale, itmeans the dollhouse and all its contents are one-twelfth the sizeof its life-sized equivalent. The 1:12 scaled dollhouses are themost popular ones among kids. The other scales are usually smallerand are meant for collectors rather than for a child's play.

Larger-sized dollhouses, also known as playscale dollhouses, aremeant to accommodate play dolls such as Barbies. Usually these aremade of plastic, but you can find some large wooden ones thataccommodate your existing dolls as well. These large dollhouses arereally handy when there are a group of two or more children at playand can also store the child's toys as well. This means lesserclutter.

Choose the Right Styles and Themes

When buying a wooden dollhouse, you need to check the type andstyles of dollhouses in the market. Usually, dollhouses are modeledafter popular periods of architecture. This include: Georgian,Tudor, Victorian, Antique, and Edwardian dollhouses. Of course,there are modern dollhouses as well. If you are a collector, thenit is a good idea to decide the period you plan to decorate andfurnish it in.