Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-12-best-dollhouses-for-kids-3255372-primary-8cf49b7a1a90450da377a4a8604611e7.jpg)
The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
There's a reason why dollhouses are often staples in preschool and kindergarten classrooms. They're not just fun to look at and play with, they're also an opportunity for kids to work their creative muscles. Some kids and parents even opt to build their own structures using room boxes, printable miniatures, and dollhouse plans.
If you're shopping for a dollhouse, you'll want to consider things like dimensions (are you displaying it on a small table or do you have a playroom with lots of space?) and scale (American Girls, for example, will need more room than Calico Critters). Some dollhouses fold up, making them easier to store when they're not in use. You can also purchase a dollhouse that's fully furnished, or opt to build up your collection on your own.
Regardless of your needs, here are some of our favorite dollhouses in a variety of types and sizes.
Fisher-Price Little People Friends Together Playhouse
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Fisher-PriceLittlePeopleFriendsTogetherPlayHouse-b2d81abdaab342c68a83f98636dd01c8.jpeg)
Dimensions: 10 x 22 x 13-inches | Weight: 6.4 pounds | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age Range: 1-5 years
Stout figures are great for small hands
Incredibly durable
Easy to clean
Won't necessarily grow with your child
Could be larger
Some parents may not like the noise
This colorful house embodies the simple, enduring vibe that has become a hallmark of Little People toys. There are four rooms along with a swimming pool and a tree swing, and the set comes with three Little People characters. Kids will love thoughtful details like the toilet's flushing sound, lights that turn on and off, the kitchen tablet displaying a recipe, and the sleepover-ready trundle bed.
The set is interactive, and there are more than 80 sounds across three different levels that can be changed as your child grows and develops. They cover topics such as the alphabet, counting, and opposites, as well as prompts that encourage open-ended play. When playtime is over, you can tuck the pieces inside the pool, which folds for easy storage.
KidKraft Chelsea Doll Cottage with Furniture
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Kidkraft-4afb76b3d40641a28ae0d3f46ed8cb19.jpg)
Dimensions: 25 x 13 x 28-inches | Weight: 14.96 pounds | Material: Wood, MDF, fabric and plastic | Recommended Age Range: 3 years and up
Affordable given the size
Comes with 16 pieces of furniture
Open design makes group play easy
Kitschy patterns like gingham and fruit
Assembly may take a while
This five-room, multi-level wooden house is suitable for five-inch dolls. None are included, but you will get a 16-piece furniture pack (it comes with fun furnishings like bunk beds and a grand piano), and additional items can be bought separately. The shutters open and close, and there are molded staircases connecting the floors—both of these touches help give it a realistic feel.
The design does feel a bit traditional, especially when compared with more stylish homes inspired by midcentury design, but the airy, open floor plan will keep kids happy and entertained. Note that assembly is required, and may take a while. You'll need two screwdrivers and the Allen wrench, which is included.
"As someone who values aesthetically pleasing and minimalist designs, this dollhouse was a bit much for my taste. Each room features different patterned wallpaper, so it feels very pattern-heavy and generally 'old school,' like it’s from the ’50s. It boasts a lot of pink details like hearts, flowers, and fruit. I personally wouldn’t have picked this house based on the design alone."—Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis, Product Tester
Hape All Seasons Kids Wooden Dollhouse
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Hape-fef0a223f3da4bf4999ab01714be72ef.jpg)
Dimensions: 23.6 x 11.8 x 28.9-inches | Weight: 6.4 pounds | Material: Wood | Recommended Age Range: 3 years and up
Clean, attractive design
Accessible from multiple sides
Eco-friendly focus
Lower levels harder to reach
If you're looking for a dollhouse you'd be proud to flaunt in your living room, this might be the one. With vibrant colors and a delightfully unfussy look, this solid-wood home has an environmentally friendly theme. There are solar panels on the roof, which can be flipped to display either green leaves or winter snowflakes, to reflect the changing seasons.
The house comes with plenty of furniture (enough for one bedroom, the bathroom, the media room, and the kitchen), although there are no dolls. It works best with four- to five-inch figures, which Hape sells separately, along with other items like a dining set. Along with the solar panels, there are some fun architectural elements such as staircases and a balcony, although it does block access to the lower levels, making them harder to reach. You'll need to assemble it yourself, but it's a simple process.
"My kids absolutely loved arranging the furniture and appliances in different ways, each time coming up with new scenarios. Both my children cooperated in creating stories, and my oldest son took the time to teach my youngest new words pertaining to the house and furniture (bedroom, kitchen, bathtub). The open sides made it easy for them to share the house and play together."—Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis, Product Tester
Our Generation Cozy Cabin Dollhouse Playset for 18-Inch Dolls
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/OurGenerationCozyCabinDollhousePlayset-c1c3ac5aac3f48cdb6982ee0609bde92.jpg)
Dimensions: 21.5 x 23 x 20-inches | Weight: 16.65 pounds | Material: Plastic and polyester | Recommended Age Range: 3 years and up
Fun details will keep kids engaged
Inexpensive 18-inch doll option compared to other brands
One-room layout may feel constraining
Plastic may be less durable over time
If your child loves 18-inch dolls such as American Girl and Our Generation, this affordable vacation cabin will be a fun addition to their collection, especially around the winter holidays. It has a compact footprint, but there is space for two dolls (note that none are included), thanks to the cozy sleeping loft. It also comes with fun accessories like a blanket, pillows, fire logs, a chair with an ottoman, pretend food (think S'Mores and cocoa), and cooking utensils.
The house, which requires AAA batteries, also has a few interactive elements: The fireplace and stove burners both light up and make sounds. The exterior of the building also has lovely details such as realistic-looking icicles and snow dripping from the roof, and heart-shaped gingerbread fretwork.
Barbie Dreamhouse Dollhouse with Wheelchair-Accessible Elevator
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BarbirDreamhousewithElevator-01d08648bbfe4329b92868ab7e536ad8.jpg)
Dimensions: 43 x 41-inches | Weight: 27.6 pounds | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age Range: 3 years and up
Comes with dozens of accessories and extras
Fun interactive elements like a doorbell and appliances that make sounds
Massive size and open floor plan makes it easier for multiple kids to play
Extremely large
Won't sit flush against a wall
If your children love Barbies and other 12-inch dolls, you might want to consider this palatial structure. It comes with dozens of high-tech features such as a wheelchair-accessible elevator, customizable lights and sounds, two pools with slides (one just for pets!), and an outdoor deck.
The designers smartly made some items do double duty—the entertainment center can be flipped to reveal a pet area, for example—and more than 75 items are included with the set, which comes with furniture, textiles like blankets, and even a patch of grass. The house doesn't come with any dolls, but you will get a puppy and kitten. Assembly is required, but the plastic pieces fit together in a simple configuration. The only concern will be finding enough space: At just under four feet tall and more than three feet wide, this beauty is also a behemoth.
Djeco Modern Dollhouse
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DJECOColorDollhousePlayset-b49d5ff456f0466c83d4c324f365b01d.jpg)
Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 12-inches | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Material: Wood and plastic | Recommended Age Range: 4 years and up
Gorgeous design you'll want to show off
Gender-neutral color scheme
Arrives totally unfurnished
Can be hard to find furniture from other brands that fits inside
Glamorous and minimalist, this six-room dollhouse comes completely unfurnished, so you'll need to factor that into your budget (the Djeco children's room set, for example, currently costs about $19). It fits four-inch dolls and has an open layout that makes it easy for several kids to get in on the action, since it's accessible from every side. Djeco, a French company based in Paris since 1954, is known for its stylish toys, which are sold at museum shops such as MoMA in New York and the Tate in London.
Because the coordinating furniture pieces can be on the smaller and more delicate side, it's probably best suited for kids ages four and older, or younger, if you're closely supervising. Assembly is required, and most people found it simple to do.
Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Dollhouse
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MelissaDougFoldGoWoodenDollhouse-8f1d774fe2144ca5aa37fe560f529301.jpg)
Dimensions: 10 x 10.5 x 15.5-inches | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Material: Wood | Recommended Age Range: 3 to 6 years
Stores easily
Classic design
Comes with play figures and furniture
No option to buy the house with a set of Black dolls
Want a dollhouse that doesn't hog space? This sweet fold-up home, which has handles that make it easy to carry, might be for you. Not only does it have four rooms, there's also a garage with a door that opens and closes (you add the car yourself). This dollhouse is unusual because it's fairly compact and foldable, but also feels fulfilling to play with when it's fully open.
The neutral-looking wood will work with a variety of decor styles, and some shoppers also opt to paint the house to match their kids' rooms. It comes with two figures as well as 11 pieces of furniture, but if you're looking for non-white dolls, you'll need to purchase them separately from a company like Hape—there's no option to buy the house with different characters.
Calico Critters Red Roof Country Home Gift Set
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CalicoCrittersRedRoofCountryHomeGiftset-3e149cb488cd4b12ac896be31109475c.jpg)
Dimensions: 25 x 8.9 x 13.8-inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age Range: 3 years and up
Flexible, modular setup can be customized
Fun touches like working lights
Delicate pieces not ideal for younger children
This adorable house comes with two of the popular Calico Critters figures—Hopscotch Rabbit Girl and Hopscotch Rabbit Mother—as well as furniture like a bed, piano, kitchen items, and dining set. What's distinctive about it is that because it's modular, it can be reconfigured in different ways—the floors can be stacked, the house can be turned at different angles, or it can be completely closed.
The house also has working lights, and it's especially fun to turn them on, close up the floors, and watch the glow from the windows. If your animals need more space, you can purchase the Red Roof Cozy Cottage and connect the two, so you gain an additional wing.
Tender Leaf Dovetail House
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TenderLeafDovetailHouse-9cbf1ca73e3d4d50abb881e2d47e3dbf.jpg)
Dimensions: 25 x 8.9 x 13.8-inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Material: Plastic | Recommended Age Range: 3 years and up
Flexible, modular setup can be customized
Fun touches like working lights
Delicate pieces not ideal for younger children
Made from rubber tree wood, this dollhouse has a variety of realistic details, including floors with printed patterns that suggest wood planks and tiles, shutters that open and close, and staircases. On the exterior, you'll find a window box planting, potted plants for the porch, and a wreath for the door.
The home is solidly built and won't shift around as kids play with it. There are six rooms spread across four floors, and although the house only opens on one side, it's large enough for two or three children to play comfortably. It's best for dolls that are about five inches high.
KidKraft Disney Princess Royal Celebration Wooden Dollhouse
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KidKraftKidKraftDisneyPrincessRoyalCelebrationWoodenDollhouse-09011673de58492784fe2b9f41d502b2.jpg)
Dimensions: 39.75 x 14.25 x 68-inches | Weight: 40.4 pounds | Material: Wood, MDF, and plastic | Recommended Age Range: 3 years and up
Comes with furniture
Dramatic, glasslike elevator
Beloved Disney characters hidden in decor
Particleboard seems a bit flimsy
Part dollhouse and part castle, this impressive structure is guaranteed to thrill young Disney fans. There are five distinct spaces divided among the four stories, and cinematic touches like a rooftop balcony, a working elevator, and a curved staircase.
The house also comes with a foldout book that offers additional backdrops and spaces; it can stand alone or inside the castle. You'll also get 10 different accessories, such as a wedding cake, a dining set, a bathtub, and an easel (complete with its own sticky note canvas). Assembly isn't difficult, but it will take time—plan on one to two hours.
Teamson Kid Deluxe Modern Glam Farmhouse
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TeamsonKids-2fef53c7e82544e188025aa060ea979a.jpeg)
Dimensions: 24 x 11.6 x 51.8-inches | Weight: 26 pounds | Material: MDF | Recommended age range: 3 years and up
Detailed wall artwork
Affordable price
Furniture included
Not solid wood
Might be too large for some
Suitable for dolls up to 12 inches high, this dollhouse has an elegant, understated design. Kids will love the impressive height (more than four feet tall) and incredibly detailed walls with images of potted plants, a wall clock, and framed photos. Figures are not included, but it does come with eight pieces of furniture, including a bed, a dining set, a bathtub, and a floor lamp that lights up.
Dolls can enjoy the view from the rooftop terrace, although it would be nice if it was a bit more spacious. The house is only open on one side, but there's so much space that even a few kids will have room to maneuver, and the simple shape means you'll be able to easily store it up against a wall. The assembly process is straightforward and most people will be able to complete it in less than an hour.
Ollie Ella Holdie House
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/OE-Holdie-House-Front-BG_58d83f01-2faa-4ffc-bbca-0fc6e101faa2-2e97101d572e48f7b196828efcca954c.jpeg)
Dimensions: 10 x 9.5 x 10.5-inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Material: Wood | Recommended age range: Toddlers and up
Eco-friendly materials
Safe for younger children
Unfussy design
Expensive
Small size may be outgrown quickly
Arrives unfurnished
This lightweight house is perfect for the toddler crew, since it has its own vegan leather carry handle and weighs around two pounds. The sustainably sourced, untreated wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and can be either left plain, stained, or painted with your child's favorite colors.
The house is best for four-inch dolls, and the company sells their own, along with furniture—the house doesn't come with either. (Options include sofas with tiny throw pillows and beds with soft blankets.) There are five rooms spread across two floors, and the house opens fully so it's easy for more than one child to play at once.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Hape-829ff1df0702496c9c51c26355d35fda.jpg)
The Spruce / Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis
What to Look for in a Doll House
Dimensions and shape
A dollhouse is an investment not just in money, but in space as well. You'll want to consider whether or not you want it on the floor or a table, and also whether you want something that folds up and can be stored in a closet, or whether you don't mind having it out all the time. Toddlers may appreciate having a smaller, more lightweight house that's easier for them to manage and even carry around. Some are attractive enough that you'll be proud to display them in your living room.
Material
Most dollhouses can be made of solid wood, particleboard, or a mix of the two. Some are made of plastic, which is easy to keep clean, but may be more prone to cracks. Particleboard also tends to be less durable than solid wood, but on the flip side, also less expensive. There are also plastic houses that are lightweight and easy to wipe down.
Assembly
Some dollhouses come already assembled, especially smaller plastic ones, but most require at least a little work. Reading shoppers' reviews can give you a sense of how difficult the process is. If you're planning to give the dollhouse as a gift, you may want to put it together in advance to avoid having impatient kids bothering you as you're building. If you buy a dollhouse that's made of untreated wood, you can also paint or stain it yourself.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Kidkraft2-88dd9b55d3ed4b54a298165399f8424b.jpg)
The Spruce / Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis
Furniture
When furnishing your dollhouse, the word to remember is scale. Many dollhouses are scaled at 1:12 (that means if something is 12 inches in real life, it's equivalent to one inch in miniature). Remember that the smaller the second number, the bigger the house. Barbie homes, for example, are scaled at 1:6.
When you're looking at a dollhouse, check to see whether it comes furnished—many come with only a limited number of pieces. If sets are sold separately, make sure to note the prices. If you have a five-room unfurnished dollhouse and sets start at $20 each, that can add up quickly and cost as much as the structure itself. Some families also enjoy the process of slowly decorating a dollhouse room by room, and looking at sites like Etsy for just the right pieces, or even making them from scratch. If you have young children, you might just want to open the box, set up the rooms, and start playing immediately.
Layout
If you plan to have multiple children playing at once, you might want a dollhouse that's open-sided. But also remember that if a dollhouse has decor elements such as porches or balconies on the front and back, you may not be able to put it up against a wall without removing them.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Lexi Dwyer has written about outdoor toys, board games, and toddler gifts for The Spruce. As a kid she loved playing with a dollhouse her dad built as well as two Barbie houses (Dream and Town). Through the years, her own children have loved their Wellie Wishers Playhouse.
For this round-up, she considered dozens of different dollhouses, assessing their sizes, layouts, materials, furniture options, and more, as well as notes from our product testers. All of the dollhouses on this list are considered to be both durable and beloved by kids. The materials used include solid wood, MDF, and plastic, and the houses come in a range of sizes that are suitable for dolls ranging from 3 to 18 inches.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-19-best-stem-toys-4153604-recirc-e7ab128974f74d9a83c2bf85d46eeac6.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-13-SPR-HOME-13-best-baby-dolls-2021-3255716-recirc-288abc4367b945b9acfc5f5cc7288d7a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-21-best-gifts-for-6-year-old-boys-4150332-recirc-7e7c6bc75654475389e5aca1e2ea5ade.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-14-best-toys-for-3-year-old-girls-4151591-recirc-0910b08e7c3d421d8ebcfff655b52b04.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-13-best-kitchen-sets-for-kids-3256105-recirc-3447ee2f20ec48218b73976039d11af1.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-Home-v1-The-32-Must-Have-Toys-for-Christmas-2021-4150709-recirc-19eba2a103254774bd6aeea6b32e51fc.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-21-best-gifts-for-7-year-old-girls-4150336-recirc-bf0b5e8551b948c2a9693ca9d0b52931.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-22-best-gifts-for-7-year-old-boys-4150333-recirc-eef616710db9406ab834c27edff6b808.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-Home-v1-The-24-Best-Gifts-for-3-Year-Old-Boys-in-2021-4150185-recirc-e368609dd9214c649298f4a3f2f2a01b.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-Home-v1-The-9-Best-Chess-Sets-of-2021-4685182-recirc-a402d135990442aeb05029dc476db588.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-7-best-wooden-swing-sets-2021-3129287-recirc-c6b1553b63f74321a158277c0711d07d.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-17-best-toys-for-3-year-olds-4151644-recirc-57aca8a174024117a50cf537ce1f7f22.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-26-best-gifts-for-four-year-old-girls-4150179-recirc-a6e1ac00b2e347d7b114f250a531e0a8.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SPR-HOME-8-best-water-tables-4682577-recirc-cfa98af67e54486d9508e00bdba1292b.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KidKraft_HeroSquare-e515a821acf44dc3888a49ddb121053a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-930197734-5be6584846e0fb002644e335.jpg)