Dollhouse that both of my boys can play with.

[Oliver'sMom]

Hello,

I have two sons, 1 and 4 years old.  I'm looking for a simple waldorf dollhouse that they can both play with.  I know that my 1yo won't be doing any imaginative type play for awhile, but I'd like a dollhouse that I can keep out in their living room play area and not have to worry too much about little pieces, etc.  I also can't spend more than about $75.  As you can imagine, this has been a tough search!  Here are some of my ideas so far.. let me know what you think, or if you have any other suggestions!  Thank you!

this one is cute, but I wish it wasn't pink:

http://www.amazon.com/Educo-Rooftop-Garden-Home-Dollhouse/dp/B0024509P0/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IW2ZQ89ZONT45&colid=22CRE9J2N9PP

I thought this might work well snce it wouldn't really need furniture since it's painted on the walls, but again, it's pink and I don't think it's open ended enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Krooom-Eco-friendly-Recyclable-Reinfoced-Dollhouse/dp/B0049P9A5S/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IHXGYQQP88GRZ&colid=22CRE9J2N9PP

I really like this oe, but I worry that it is mostly just furniture, and not so much a dollhouse:

http://thewoodenwagon.com/woodentoy/102/DH23264.html

last but not least, something that would be just about perfect...but yet agin, it's pink:

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Fold-Mini-Dollhouse/dp/B001P9OGRS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311951214&sr=8-1

I'm not opposed to boys having pink things in the least bit...I just personally find it to be a rather ugly color :)

TIA!

[JudiAU]

Have you considered making your own with a wooden drawer and found objects? You could easily use natural elements and hand craft some dolls or gnomes or fairies or whatever. Most dollhouses are so tiny and confined with small rooms, small openings, and fussy interiors that they aren't much fun at this age. You could do something outside if that seemed more natural. And here are some examples with paper: http://www.amazon.com/Faber-Castell-1658-Cardboard-House/dp/B0033C2GYK  I think real dollhouse play with tiny accessories occurs at a later age,.

But if you want to buy one, how about.

Plain wood includes people and dolls $75 http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Furnished-Dollhouse/dp/B00006AG7D/ref=sr_1_8?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1311961309&sr=1-8

I've given this is as a gift. It is pretty accessible and includes furniture and people, so no addiitonal expense. It does have some pink paint but because it is real wood, you could easily paint over it if you wanted. $75  http://www.amazon.com/Educo-Rooftop-Garden-Home-Dollhouse/dp/B0024509P0/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1311961166&sr=1-2

This is more neutral but doesn't include furniture and people. http://www.amazon.com/Educo-Hape-Play-Dollhouse- $55Balcony/dp/B003AY9O64/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1311961166&sr=1-1 

And a castle idea $65 ...http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Folding-Medieval/dp/B000NV9FR0/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1311961812&sr=1-2 

We have this one and love it because you can add to it over time. You can use the same structure to have a caste/barn/dollhouse. He also does some custom roofs that are not one the Facebook page. His examples are all huge but one room and one roof would be fine. http://www.toideloi.com/stackhouse.html  I bought dolls for it but never gave them because we haven't needed them. No furniture either. Dinosaurs and various people live here fine along with a wet felted pond and some hammocks a friend knit.

[tbone_kneegrabber]

We have a tree house dollhouse very similar to this

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055LVVRU/ref=asc_df_B0055LVVRU1643188?smid=A2RFSIF56F6W5J&tag=dealtmp1-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B0055LVVRU

We got it on craigslist.  It was in perfect condition.  It works really nicely and is cool to look at.  A few years ago Pottery Barn Kids was selling one, the don't have it anymore, but you might be able to find it on eBay or craigslist.

Or you can do a bookshelf doll house.  http://www.ikeahackers.net/2010/07/billy-dollcase.html

http://kidoinfo.com/ri/about-a-dollhouse/

[Oliver'sMom]

Thanks so much for your very thoughtful responses!  I love all of your suggestions!  Who would have thought buying a dollhouse would be such a huge endeavor.  :)

I especially love the stackhouse.  Definately gives me a lot to think about.  Thanks again!