Dollhouse ...how old is too old?

[nanette0269]

At what age will children stop playing with a dollhouse?  I'm surprised that some dollhouse furniture/dolls recommended say that they are 3-5.  Surely a child would play with a dollhouse later than 5, right? 

[RollerCoasterMama]

Totally depends on the kid.  I personally loved dollhouses my whole childhood and still do!  Now when I hit tweens+ I didn't role-play with them and it was the more delicate miniatures that I liked.  But it really depends!  But I would think an average child would play with dollhouses as long as they were into pretend/role-playing.  8-ish? 

[Annie Mac]

I never had a dollhouse, but I wanted one until I was about 12. I might have forgotten them, but I had a friend whose dad made them, these beautiful wooden Victorian gingerbread houses, and all their little furniture and inhabitants. I can't remember if I wanted to play with them though, at that age, or if I just wanted them because they were so lovely. 

[elus0814]

I played with mine until I was at least 10, I just bought one for my six year old and I'm not worried about it getting enough use.

[WednesdayO]

I personally didn't get a dollhouse until I was probably 7 or 8?? BUT Things were different for most children back in the early 80s. DD got her first one (a vintage plastic Fisher Price from a fundraiser sale) when she was only 2, and it's her outside dollhouse that can get wet and dirty etc. She got a large wooden one when she was 5, and now at 6 I don't see her play with in waning at all. HTH!

[Lisa1970]

There are different types. If you are buying them a preschooler toddler doll house, that type might not be wanted beyond maybe 11 or so. But if you are buying a collector level one, then I would wait until older to get it. I am 40 and would like one. I figure with small children still in the house, I should not have one. I still have my furniture from when I had one when I was young. I spent my own money to buy the furniture. I have saved it all these years in hopes of reviving that doll house that got damaged when my parents moved. But, my mother did not want me to have it, my dad did. So, my dad gave it to me and my mother demanded it back and went on such big fits over it that I just sent it back. I will buy a different one. Ironically, it was so broken up, which is how it was when I got it, my mother also got mad when she saw it, made false accusations that I was the one who damaged it, and threw it away. But there was enough good on it that it would have been great to renovate. 

My mother is so lovely isn't she? Oh, but this post was not about her...

So back to the doll house, it all depends on the type.

[nanette0269]

Originally Posted by Lisa1970 

There are different types. If you are buying them a preschooler toddler doll house, that type might not be wanted beyond maybe 11 or so. But if you are buying a collector level one, then I would wait until older to get it. I am 40 and would like one. I figure with small children still in the house, I should not have one. I still have my furniture from when I had one when I was young. I spent my own money to buy the furniture. I have saved it all these years in hopes of reviving that doll house that got damaged when my parents moved. But, my mother did not want me to have it, my dad did. So, my dad gave it to me and my mother demanded it back and went on such big fits over it that I just sent it back. I will buy a different one. Ironically, it was so broken up, which is how it was when I got it, my mother also got mad when she saw it, made false accusations that I was the one who damaged it, and threw it away. But there was enough good on it that it would have been great to renovate. 

My mother is so lovely isn't she? Oh, but this post was not about her...

So back to the doll house, it all depends on the type.

yes, you have some mother issues :)  
 

[littlemizflava]

we have a plan toys doll house. my dd is 8.5 and still plays with it. she is still wanting me to buy more accessories for it. my ds is 4 and plays with the dollhouse and a castle.

[nanette0269]

I feel so much better reading this...Thank you to all that have replied.  After ordering the Holzkram house, I just needed validation since its so pricey!  This will be DD's birthday gift.  I'm hoping family will buy her all the "rooms" (Ryan's room and then we can paint it to match the muted colors of the house) as well as the dolls.

For dolls, I have an issue paying for the Evi dolls, since I'm concerned the dogs will think they are chew toys.  So, I'm leaning towards the Ryan's room dolls as well.  I want bendable dolls, but would like to avoid colorful characters since I want them to "fit" with the house and the wooden animals.  Can anyone give me suggestions that I may have not known of yet?

Thanks!

[WindyCityMom]

I played with my dollhouse until I was in 6th grade, so around 11?  It wasn't just me- my friends would also.  We would have slumber parties and bring along all of our dolls so we could play.

[WednesdayO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanette0269 

For dolls, I have an issue paying for the Evi dolls, since I'm concerned the dogs will think they are chew toys.  So, I'm leaning towards the Ryan's room dolls as well.  I want bendable dolls, but would like to avoid colorful characters since I want them to "fit" with the house and the wooden animals.  Can anyone give me suggestions that I may have not known of yet?

You mentioned color, but I'm not sure if there are brands you're opposed to. We have collected a variety of dollhouse people from friends and Craigslist etc... We have Ryan's Room, Plan Toys, Pottery Barn Kids, and even some Melissa & Doug. Other choices that are similar in style and/or price would be Le Toy Van, Hape Educo, KidKraft, Papo, and Voila.