The best dollhouses for kids for hours of fun

best dollhouses

by Caitlin Casey |
Updated on

We can all remember playing with our favourite dolls when we were younger, and a huge dollhouse is every child's dream. There's a reason why these toys have become such staples for years and years.

From balconies to furniture, nowadays you can even get your hands on houses with special features like elevators, slides and there are plenty of dollhouse accessories you can buy too. The bigger the better!

They don't have to be so expensive though, sometimes all you need is a place to play and the dolls to go with it. We've found the best dollhouses from the most extravagant, value, and smaller options.

Best dollhouses for kids

Best dollhouses for kids 2024:

Best three-storey dollhouse

KidKraft Kayla Wooden Dolls HouseAmazon
Price: £179.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$119.99View offer

This huge mansion from Kidkraft is every dollhouse dream with a room made for every doll. With a kit of ten different pieces of furniture and accessories included, your child can run free with their creativity on this house. Made for 30cm dolls so large enough for dolls you may already have, too.

One parent review said: "Love this doll house for my toddler. She loved how big (taller than her 4 years old) it was and how versatile it was. She can use it with her little dolls and her barber sized dolls."

Pros

  • Big enough for different sized dolls
  • Very good height and sturdy
  • Four big rooms and terrace

Cons

  • A little tricky to assemble

Best Barbie dollhouse

barbie three storey Amazon
Price: £114.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$15.00View offer

If your child loves Barbie, there's nothing better than getting your hands on a Barbie dollhouse, including furniture and accessories like a roof-top lounge, elevator and more. Just grab a Barbie for lots of pink fun in this dollhouse.

One parent review said: "Bought this for my daughters 5th birthday and it has been a huge hit. She loves it and is very happy with it. It took my husband about 20 minutes to assemble and to say it it just plastic, it seemed easy to put together and has held up against my five year old playing with it. Overall happy with our purchase."

Pros

  • Four different rooms, which also comes with furniture piece
  • Easy and quick to assemble

Cons

  • Little accessory items can easily get lost

Best wooden doll house

best wooden doll house Amazon
Price: £180.00

This 3-storey wooden dollhouse boasts 7 rooms, an accessory set, LED lighting, and is crafted from smooth woods with a glossy white finish. The dollhouse enhances imaginative play, motor skills, social interaction, and emotional intelligence. The dollhouse comes in white with pink or mint accents and includes 57 matching wooden accessories, such as furniture, appliances, and decor.

One customer review said: "The quality is great and it is beautiful. There are even puppets to play with. The house is fully equipped with furniture and even lighting for all floors. The stairs can be hooked up. Even potted plants are included. It is played every day, early in the afternoon and in the evening."

Pros

  • Accessories including kitchen set, TV, refrigerator, toilet, bathtub, wardrobe, bookcase, chairs, tables, dressing table with mirror, carpets, cushions, flowers
  • LED bulbs included. The light creates a special atmosphere during the game

Cons

  • Not suitable for children under 3 years

Best one-storey dollhouse

Smaller doesn't have to be less interesting. This Barbie FXG54 dollhouse has loads going on - it's basically a mini Barbie apartment with a pool! Full of accessories built in, including tools like the tablet and pot which have handles which a doll can hold.

One mum review said: "An absolute brilliant toy. My daughter is thrilled with this. It is very sturdy and easy to move between rooms and to take on sleepovers at nanny and grandad's. Lots of lovely imaginative play as a result of buying this."

Pros

  • Portable dollhouse unfolds to reveal 2+ feet of indoor and outdoor storytelling fun 
  • The one-story playset features a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and outdoor pool - and Barbie doll in a cute floral dress and matching shoes

Cons

  • Includes some smaller accessories that can easily get lost

Best portable dollhouse

Best portable dollhouse mellissa and doug toys Amazon

Rrp: £69.99

Price: £62.21
Alternative retailers
Walmart$12.00View offer
Wayfair$47.66View offer
Target$48.99View offer
Kohl's$55.99View offer

Sometimes you don't want a huge dollhouse taking up too much room in your home. If you'd rather have something that's smaller and easy to pack away, grab this Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Dollhouse. This is great if you're travelling and want an easy toy to bring, or if you just want more for your money.

One parent review said: "Loved the wooden furniture and the figures also the pets. All amazing value for money."

Pros

  • Folds up neatly into a box with two handles to easily transport around
  • Includes 11 pieces of wooden furniture and two flexible wooden play figures

Cons

  • One review said it may appear small, but is a lovely starter dolls house for little ones

Best contemporary dollhouse

Boyes Kids Dolls House with Handcrafted Wood Furniture AccessoriesWayfair

Dollhouses don't have to be vivid and bright, they can be more toned down to suit the features of your house. For a more contemporary option, this Boyes dollhouse is kitted out with everything you'll need for your little one to have fun, but also comes with style.

One parent review said: "Beautiful doll house, my little girl loves it. Two hours to build but it was worth it."

Pros

  • Three floors with six different rooms and comes with furniture figures
  • The doll house has a modern color scheme of cool grey, white, and natural wood
  • Includes a modern bathroom, kitchen, nursery, master bedroom, and 2 realistic skylights on the roof
  • Ideal for ages 3 years and older

Cons

  • Need a decent amount of space to put it away

Best Peppa Pig dollhouse

Peppa Pig is always a winner, and now your child can make their own Peppa Pig shows with this huge house, filled with themed toys and accessories. It even includes Mummy Pig's office with skylight, telescope and light-up toy computer. Plus, there are 8 different rooms to explore, each with fun features, furniture and accessories.

One grandparent said: "Absolutely love this Peppa Pig wooden house. Bought for my little granddaughter who loves Peppa. The house is excellent value and extremely easy to build. You also get little people and furniture."

Pros

  • Includes over 20 pieces of furniture
  • Kitchen with glowing cooker and sound FX
  • Includes 2 Peppa and George Wooden Figures (other figures sold separately)

Cons

  • Not suitable for children under 3 years old
  • Domestic use only

Best unisex dollhouse

If you want a dollhouse that suits both boys and girls, this TOP BRIGHT wooden dolls house is sturdy, has loads of different areas to play with and is large enough for everyone to enjoy. It also has a functioning elevator to scoot up to the second floor.

One parent review said: "Quite complicated to put together but worth it in the end. Very sturdy and accompanying furniture is a great size and very practical. My grandchildren absolutely love it and spend hours upon hours playing with it."

Pros

  • Top Bright wooden dolls house with 5 rooms, 1 balcony and 15 detailed furniture
  • Encourages children to use their imaginations
  • Designed for authentic family adventures and includes kitchen, living area, bathroom, bedrooms, balcony and elevator

Cons

  • Fiddly to assemble

Best garden-themed dollhouse

Does your child love gardening and the outdoors? This super sweet greenhouse is full of mini DIY garden features. Plat around with the pots, plants and more. It even works as a beautiful accessory for any kids room — you might even like it yourself.

One parent review said: "Beautiful attention to details. Complicated yet simple to assemble. My daughter wanted it for a long time, however too expensive for her pocket money. So super Christmas present."

Pros

  • All the Furniture and accessories (plants, flowers, shelves, desk, door, plant) for the dolls house are included
  • Great gift for people who loves model building

Cons

  • 14 years and up

Best toddler dollhouse

This beautiful 3D toddler doll house is every child's dream home, which makes a perfect gift for any young child. This DIY Dollhouse includes 85 accessories that will keep your child entertained during school holidays and weekends. This doll house will also make a fabulous addition to your child’s toy room. Made for children aged 3 to 8 years old, makes it the right gift for imaginative play, motor skils, and providing unlimited hours of entertainment and creativity.

One parent review said: "This dolls house is different to other dolls houses I've seen and had previously. It comes in lots of pieces so you have to put it together yourself, but it's fairly easy to do. There are lots of small bits, so you'd have to be vigilant around little ones. It's fairly small but big enough to be able to have fun and play with. Also, it's small enough that it's not bulky and won't up take loads of room."

Pros

  • 3D doll house is a child's dream home which makes a timeless gift for any young child
  • his DIY Dollhouse comes with 85 accessories that will keep your child entertained for hours
  • Designed for children aged 3 to 8 years old

Cons

  • Not suitable for children under 3 years

What is a good age for a dollhouse?

From a young age, children will start to play with toys to boost development and dolls. For dollhouses though, we recommend purchasing these toys for children over the age of three years old.

As these toys often come with smaller items and accessories, it's not recommended for these younger children as small parts can be hazardous.

On the other hand, dollhouses can last years and years so can be an investment for your child to play with for as long as they like to. Some people keep hold of them to pass down generations!

You'll always find classics around, such as Barbie dollsand Kidkraft, which whip up a storm year-in, year-out. Often these most popular brands will have multiple to choose from, with loads of exciting features.

There are lots of other popular dollhouses to choose from now, including hand-made, wooden-crafted ones. Many sellers on Etsy and Not On The High Street offer personalised dollhouses too.

It's really up to you which dollhouse you want to invest in. Think about what your child will enjoy the most, but also what you can afford to buy.

FAQs

What is a dollhouse?

A dollhouse is a miniature house, typically used as a toy for children or as a collectible item for adults. They often come with miniature furniture and accessories.

What scales are common in dollhouses?

The most common scales for dollhouses are 1:12, 1:24, and 1:48. The 1:12 scale means one inch in the dollhouse equals one foot in real life.

What materials are used to make dollhouses?

Dollhouses are usually made from wood, MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), plastic, or a combination of these materials.

How do I maintain and clean a dollhouse?

Regular dusting with a soft brush or cloth helps keep a dollhouse clean. For more detailed cleaning, carefully remove and clean individual pieces.

What age is appropriate for a child to have a dollhouse?

Dollhouses with small parts are typically recommended for children aged 3 and up due to choking hazards. Some dollhouses are specifically designed for younger children with larger, more durable pieces.

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