One of the joys of watching your children play is seeing them disappear into a world of imagination where anything is possible. The right toy can be an effective tool for creative play, and there’s no better toy for engaging your child than a dollhouse. A traditional toy that's been around for hundreds of years, the power of doll's houses to inflame the imagination of children is attested to by their enduring popularity.
Nowadays, the number of options can be overwhelming, and doll's houses can be pricey, too, so it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for before you start your search. Whether you're looking for a wooden doll house, a barbie princess castle, or a recreation of Peppa Pig's own interior, we’ve created a buying guide with handy tips to help you make an informed decision. We’ve even ranked the top 10 best dollhouses in the UK on Amazon, eBay, Argos and more.
Quick List - Top Doll Houses
Tidlo
An Innovative Design to Inflame Your Child's Imagination
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There are a few key things that you should endeavour to keep in mind to ensure that the doll’s house you buy is both suitable for your home, and is as much fun as possible for your child. Read on for our handy tips to help you find the right one!
Just as with a real house, the building of a doll’s house involves decisions regarding several elements, such as its size, design and colour scheme. The choices you make regarding these can drastically affect how satisfied you and your child are with the doll’s house that you pick.
Some children have a love for Peppa Pig that is so strong that to go for any alternative would be tantamount to committing a crime. If your child has a passion for a particular character, it’s worth checking to see if any character branded doll’s houses are available.
Many popular characters, such as Peppa and Barbie, have doll’s houses that are faithful reconstructions of those found in the TV show, meaning your child will have hours of fun recreating their favourite scenes, or making their very own.
Now you've decided on a theme, it’s time to take a look at the materials that your doll’s house is made of. Doll’s houses are generally made from wood or plastic, with the most immediate difference between the two materials being the way they look.
Plastic might allow for more vivid colours and versatility when it comes to shape, but there’s a rustic appeal to smooth wooden surfaces that can’t be beat. Many people also find that wooden doll houses correspond better with the surrounding furniture in their home, making for a toy that’s very easy on the eye.
There are also environmental factors to consider, and in this respect, wood comes out far superior. We’re all aware of plastic’s lack of biodegradability, and the havoc it’s wreaking on our planet. Wood, on the other hand, is completely compostable. That said, if you're looking for a toy to pass down to subsequent generations, plastic is able to stand up better to wear and tear.
Just as the colour of your own home is important to you, it’s crucial that you get the colour scheme of your child’s doll’s house right, particularly if you want to avoid potential tantrums! Luckily, there's a whole range of colours available, from traditional primary colours to more exciting hues so you'll be able to find their favourite colour.
Some doll's houses are made from materials that perfectly lend themselves to customisation. These will let you get creative and design your very own colour scheme. For example, you might want to choose one that incorporates a chalkboard that you can cover in funky patterns, or a blank wooden or white doll's house that just begs to be painted.
Doll’s houses come in all shapes and sizes, and it's important to find one with that's appropriately sized for your child and your home. A large house will vastly increase play capabilities, granting your child extra floor space and extra rooms in which to engage their imagination. They’re also great for simultaneous play by multiple children, allowing several hands to reach in at once.
However, it’s easy to underestimate just how big doll’s houses can get! Those on the larger side can quickly take over an entire room if your house is on the smaller side. It can be difficult to gauge how big a doll’s house really is just from an image, so make sure you have your tape measure handy while shopping.
Smaller doll houses are extremely portable and often fold down compactly, meaning they can be transported to friend’s houses for playdates, or taken with you on holiday. Of course, this means that you sacrifice some of the available playing space, resulting in more cramped living quarters for your child’s dolls!
You'll need to ensure that the doll’s house you have your eye on is appropriate for your child’s age. Naturally, due to small parts, most doll’s houses will require your child to be at least three years of age before they can play with it, but that’s not to say that, beyond this age, every doll’s house is equally suitable for every child.
It might be surprising at first to hear that different variants of what is essentially the same toy can differ so much in their age suitability, but once you see how wildly doll’s houses can vary in terms of size, accessories, and design, this’ll begin to make a little more sense.
A Peppa Pig playhouse may be perfectly suited to your three or four year old, but might be less likely to entertain them as they grow and develop. Similarly, a four foot tall wooden dollhouse is likely to be a little beyond your three year old, who’ll struggle to reach the attic rooms. The trick is to try and strike a balance between immediate appeal and longevity - find a doll’s house that’ll grow with your child, and they’ll have a favourite toy for years to come!
Those without an aptitude for DIY are likely to flinch at the dreaded ‘some assembly required label’. Ready-assembled doll’s houses do exist, but for the most part, they’ll require at least some involvement on the part of mum or dad.
If you’re concerned about your ability to engage in advanced doll house building, it’s worth knowing that PDF versions of the instructions for most doll’s houses are available to download online. That way you can have a look ahead of time to ensure that you feel confident about building your child’s doll’s house upon its arrival.
In an effort to draw you in, the product pages for many doll’s houses feature exciting images of multitudes of characters positioned in rooms adorned by numerous items of luxurious furniture. Sadly, the truth is much less extravagant, and in most cases, all of these characters and items of furniture are sold separately at significant cost.
Of course, this isn’t always the case, but if you want to avoid any nasty surprises, it’s crucial that you check whether figures are included, and if not, factor this into the price. Hidden costs can soon make the cheaper option the most expensive, and vice versa!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hape All Season House | ![]() | A Sustainably-Built, Inclusive Playhouse That's Fun For Everyone | |
2 | KidKraft Majestic Mansion Wooden Dolls House | ![]() | A Huge Dollhouse That'll Provide Years of Play | |
3 | Le Toy Van Cherry Tree Hall Wooden Doll House | ![]() | A Beautifully-Crafted Traditional Wooden Dollhouse | |
4 | Tidlo Wooden Furnished Open Plan Dolls House | ![]() | An Innovative Design to Inflame Your Child's Imagination | |
5 | Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Dollhouse | ![]() | Affordable and Portable Miniature Doll House | |
6 | Peppa Pig Peppa Pig Wooden Playhouse | ![]() | The Playhouse of Every Peppa Pig Fan's Dreams | |
7 | KidKraft Everyday Heroes Wooden Play Set | ![]() | An Exciting World of Adventure for Budding Heroes | |
8 | Playmobil Large Dollhouse with Doorbell | ![]() | Lots of Extra Accessories and a Working Doorbell |
It's immediately apparent that this dollhouse was built to please as many little ones as possible. Its gender neutral design features bright exciting colours, and the open sides make it perfect for sharing. Its also customisable, with a roof that adjusts to signify summer and winter seasons.
Sustainability and inclusivity are at the heart of this dollhouse, which is made using eco-friendly materials, it even features solar panels on its roof. Unfortunately, dolls aren't included, but Hape have a wide variety available with dolls of all ethnicities and walks of life.
Upon first glance, the price of this dollhouse may look a little steep, but that's before you consider its size, its gorgeous wooden design, and the fact that you get a ton of accessories included. You actually get quite a decent amount for your money!
Its impressive size means that there's plenty of space for imaginative play, and there's room for siblings and friends to join in too. Smaller children may struggle to reach the attic rooms, but this is a dollhouse that your child can grow into, providing fun for years to come.
Dollhouses have existed for hundreds of years, and this beautifully-crafted wooden house perfectly reflects this tradition. Le Toy Van have been making toys in London since 1955, and with Cherry Tree Hall, they've managed to make an exquisite dollhouse that's destined to become a family heirloom.
It's made from sustainable materials, and upon opening it up, you'll find tons of room for playing with siblings and friends. It doesn't come with any extras, but Le Toy Van offer a selection of similarly appealing toys and accessories. For fans of a timeless style, this is a truly exceptional dollhouse.
This innovatively designed dollhouse combines chalkboard and playhouse, giving your child both an interior living space that'll spark their imagination, as well as an exterior that'll allow them to express their creativity.
It's beautifully constructed and even includes a drawer for tidy storage of dolls and accessories. It's not a bad price either, considering its replay value. Just bear in mind that dolls and chalks need to be factored into the total price as they don't come included.
This wooden dollhouse from Mellissa & Doug comes assembled, and ready to play with straight out of the box. It's the ultimate portable playhouse, and its small size and foldable design make it perfect for taking on playdates and holidays.
It's also highly affordable, but unfortunately, a smaller price often means a smaller dollhouse, and some children may find the size of this little house a bit limiting. For on-the-go play, however, it's a perfect choice.
There's certainly not a shortage of toys for Peppa Pig fans, and this playhouse is one of the more impressive. It's packed with exciting features, such as interactive lights and sounds in many of the rooms. There's even a phone holder in the living room, so you can screen the family's favourite shows.
Those without a love for Peppa Pig are likely to feel restricted by the themed characters and furniture, but its popularity cannot be denied. And unlike with other premium-brand playhouses, the pictured furniture does come included in the price!
This 'Everyday Heroes' play set is themed around the emergency services, meaning that children with a fascination for firefighters and police officers will be absolutely enthralled. The included vehicles will also provide hours of fun, and the house even folds away neatly once play time is over.
One of the primary selling points of this playhouse is its rescue services setting. Naturally, this'll appeal most to children excited by this theme. That said, there's still enough going on here to keep most kids engaged, at least for a while.
As far as features and accessories go, this dollhouse from Playmobil is an absolute winner, With an impressive 589 accessories are available, the house can even be expanded with additional extension pieces (sold separately, of course) - there's even a working doorbell!
The downside is that, because this house is designed to work only with Playmobil accessories, things can begin to get a little pricey if your child wants to expand their play. However, If you've got the budget, this dollhouse is bound to keep your child occupied and happy for years to come.
Every parent knows that there’s no end to the things that you need to buy for your child. Particularly when you only want the best for them, it can be difficult to make so many decisions. Luckily, we’ve got plenty of articles that are bound to make your life as a parent that little bit easier.
We hope this article has helped you find a doll’s house that is fun for your child and that fits well in your home. Here’s to hours of fun - and hopefully a little peace and quiet for you, too!
Author: Ben Willimett
No. 1: Hape|All Season House
No. 2: KidKraft|Majestic Mansion Wooden Dolls House
No. 3: Le Toy Van|Cherry Tree Hall Wooden Doll House
No. 4: Tidlo|Wooden Furnished Open Plan Dolls House
No. 5: Melissa & Doug|Fold & Go Dollhouse
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