13 Best Dollhouses to Inspire Imaginative Play
A dollhouse is a classic toy for a reason—the possibilities for open-ended play are endless. If you grew up with a beloved dollhouse, you may have fond memories of all the time you spent setting up the furniture, propping up dolls and creating imaginative storylines. Even if you didn’t—a dollhouse is a foolproof gift idea for tots, particularly for 3-year-olds or older kiddos. The versatile toy encourages creative play, nurture’s your child’s social and emotional development and promotes their fine motor skills. Here, read the benefits that dollhouses can offer little ones, then shop our favorite picks to find the best fit for your child.
“Dollhouses really lend themselves to the stages of play,” says Jana Sarno, BCBA, a board-certified behavior analyst and the chief clinical officer of Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers. As your little one transitions into toddlerhood (and then into childhood), they’ll naturally play in different ways. Because of their versatility, a dollhouse is a toy that will grow with your child. Younger tots may enjoy watching older siblings play with dollhouses or be comfortable playing with it by themselves, explains Sarno. Then, as they get older, they may become more interested in playing collaboratively with a sibling or friend to create a pretend play scene.
Another benefit? Playing with dollhouses can familiarize kids with routines. Parents can use them as a tool to teach toddlers about foundational skills by acting out scenes from everyday life, says Sarno. For instance, the dolls could “model scenarios like going to sleep, gently petting a dog, eating breakfast and even toilet training,” she suggests. That said, dollhouses also offer a wealth of language development opportunities. They can help children work on using prepositions, asking questions and talking in general.
While dollhouses can be fun learning toys, not all of them are built for toddlers, says Sarno. If shopping for a child under 3 years old, look for a durable playset that has large accessories to safeguard against potential choking hazards. Interactive elements, like sounds, songs and lights, can also enrich play experiences by teaching tots about cause and effect. Caregivers who are looking for ways to encourage their child to engage in pretend play could even opt for themed dollhouses that contain characters their little one already knows and loves (think: Peppa Pig or Mickey Mouse).
Whether you’re looking for an heirloom-quality dollhouse or a vibrant, interactive playset, we’ve got you covered. Below, scroll through the best dollhouses for every style and budget to inspire creative thinking during playtime.
Best overall dollhouse
- Vibrant, detailed three-level playset that comes with furniture
- Reviewers say it’s sturdy and easy-to-assemble
- Affordable price point compared to other options
- Best suited for dolls that are 5 inches or shorter
First up on our list of the best dollhouses for toddlers is this charming wooden option. It consists of three levels and a balcony area that your kiddo can customize by arranging (and rearranging) the furniture to their dolls’ liking. The open-face design and two internal staircases make it easy for little ones to access every nook and cranny of this home. Better yet, it’s equipped with interactive elements, like working window shutters, to make pretend play even more stimulating for your child. Another reason we’re fans: It rings in at under $50, making it a relatively affordable dollhouse to boot!
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 25” x 13” x 28”
Weight: 14.96 lbs.
Best Barbie dollhouse
- Modern update of an iconic toy
- Three-story playset full of interactive features
- Comes with 75+ accessories
- Batteries required
When picking out a playset for the little one in your life, you can’t go wrong with a Barbie dollhouse. The iconic toy has been a favorite of kiddos for over six decades, and its newest iteration is no exception. This stylish dollhouse features three stories of indoor and outdoor areas, including a working elevator, a slide to the pool and a hammock swing. Better yet, this interactive home includes realistic sound effects and fun music to make playtime all the more engaging for your child.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 27.17” x 68.9” x 42.91”
Weight: 24.4 lbs.
Best wooden dollhouse
- Comes with furniture and other accessories
- Features realistic elements, like working lights and a doorbell
- Some parents say the internal stairs aren’t as sturdy as they expected
- Best suited for smaller dolls
- Batteries required
Looking to go the more classic route of a wooden dollhouse? This design is sure to be a winner in your book. The playset features 10 brightly colored rooms, including outdoor areas like a garden and a garage. Inside, your child can create compelling narratives with the help of interactive elements like the moveable, working lamps and realistic doorbell. Your little one’s dolls are sure to feel at home in this cozy abode!
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 31.57” x 28.43” x 11.42”
Weight: 10 lbs.
Best budget-friendly dollhouse
- Compatible with other Calico Critters playsets
- Compact, lightweight design
- Affordable price point
- Reviewers say they wish the staircase locked into place
Treating your tot to a dollhouse doesn’t have to cost a small fortune. Take this budget-friendly pick, for instance. The cozy cottage has two floors that can easily be customized by rearranging the staircase, increasing the play possibilities. It comes with a sweet rabbit doll, several furniture pieces and other accessories so your kiddo can start thinking up imaginative narratives in no time.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 11.42” x 8.46” x 11.61”
Weight: 3.3 lbs.
Best plastic dollhouse
- Deluxe playset comes with over 100 accessories
- No assembly required
- Best suited for dolls that are 4 inches tall or shorter
- Batteries required
Next up on our list of the best dollhouses for toddlers is this rustic retreat. The playset comes with over 100 accessories, including furniture pieces, two doll families and a car. Inside, your tot can customize the rooms to their liking—and outside, they can create vivid scenes, thanks to the gardening set, outdoor fireplace and mini Adirondack chairs. This plastic dollhouse is durable and easy to clean—plus, it folds up when not in use.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 16.25” x 18.75” x 15.75”
Weight: 13.63 lbs.
Best life-size dollhouse
- Life-sized wooden dollhouse with four stories
- Comes with wooden furniture and accessories
- Designed for 12-inch dolls
- Heavier than other options
- Some parents say the directions could be hard to follow at times
On the hunt for a life-size dollhouse that’s almost as tall as (or even taller than) your kiddo? Check out this wooden playset. It’s been designed with 12-inch dolls in mind, resulting in a spacious abode for your child’s favorite toys to play in. Thanks to the dollhouse’s unique wooden furniture, your tot will be able to create lifelike family scenes. What’s more, the home’s fourth story is a dedicated nursery, so your mini-me can perform parenting duties with ease.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 32.5” x 11.8” x 49”
Weight: 29 lbs.
Best dollhouse for younger toddlers
- Large pieces designed with younger tots in mind
- Features interactive elements and educational songs
- Affordable price point
- May not be engaging for older tots or kids
- Batteries required
While most dollhouses on the market are recommended for tots 3 years or older, this pick has been specifically created for younger toddlers. The plastic playset is made with large features and accessories that are perfect for tiny hands. Your little one will love exploring this smart home’s interactive elements (a working light switch and flushing toilet!)—and, thanks to the musical features, your kiddo can even learn about the alphabet, counting, opposites and greetings as they play. This dollhouse even folds up for simple storage.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: One to 5 years old
Measurements: 3.39” x 21.59” x 10”
Weight: 3.09 lbs.
Best superhero dollhouse
- Three-story playset with 12 rooms and furniture pieces
- Comes with vehicles and action figures
- Durable wooden design
- Reviewers say it took longer than expected to assemble
Have a little superhero at home? You can’t go wrong with this wooden dollhouse for girls and boys. The three-story playset consists of 12 rooms for your child to discover, as well as three wooden vehicles and flexible action figures. Your little one is sure to be captivated by realistic details like the floor-to-ceiling firefighter’s pole and the rooftop helicopter pad, which will encourage them to think up and act out fascinating narratives. When playtime is over, just fold the dollhouse closed for easy storage.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 38.25” x 10.5” x 26.5”
Weight: 22.1 lbs.
Best minimalist dollhouse
- Elegant dollhouse that folds open and close
- Equipped with an internal storage compartment
- Durable wooden design
- Family doll and dollhouse furniture sets sold separately
- Heavier than other options
- High price point
This minimalist dollhouse for girls and boys is so chic, you may borrow design elements from it for your own living space. The aesthetically pleasing playset is made up of two floors and 12 rooms (not to mention the elegant entryway and balcony), giving your kiddo plenty of space to let their imagination run wild. Your little one can decorate the rooms as they see fit, and use the internal storage drawer to keep all their favorite dolls and accessories close at hand.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 31" x 14.5" x 23.5"
Weight: 28 lbs.
Best farmhouse-inspired dollhouse
With this farmhouse-inspired playset, your little one can create a charming, rustic retreat for their dolls. The heirloom-quality dollhouse offers a minimalist setting where your child’s imagination can take center stage—plus, it’s made from sturdy wood, so it will last for many playtimes to come. What’s more, it comes with several pieces of furniture that can be set up in any of the four main rooms or the outdoor areas.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 23.42” x 36.02” x 16.92”
Weight: 24.2 lbs.
Best interactive dollhouse
- Features playful details that encourage imaginative play
- Comes with an interactive doll and furniture pieces
- Additional Encanto dolls sold separately
- Batteries required
Inspire your child to recreate their favorite movie scenes with the help of this interactive dollhouse. The vibrant “casita” features three levels and a multi-colored, floral-adorned exterior that will brighten up any play space. As your child moves the Mirabel doll throughout the house, different sounds and lights will be activated for non-stop fun. Other playful details, such as the elevator that affects the weather, the magical doorways and the stairs that turn into a slide are sure to bring a smile to your little one’s face.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 3 years or older
Measurements: 14.48” x 22.83” x 5.5”
Weight: 8.8 lbs.
Best portable dollhouse
- Compact toy is ideal for travel
- Lightweight design can be worn as a purse when not in use
- Contains small pieces that aren’t suitable for younger toddlers
Searching for a top-notch travel toy? Consider a portable dollhouse for girls and boys, like this pick from Polly Pocket. The seashell-shaped playset opens up to reveal an interactive underwater scene for mini dolls to explore. When on the move, your kiddo can even wear this dollhouse as a purse thanks to its convenient strap.
Specs at a glance:
Age rating: 4 to 8 years old
Measurements: 2.76” x 5.91” x 5.91”
Weight: 1.15 lbs.
Best high-end dollhouse
- Designed for 18-inch dolls
- Features three levels of indoor and outdoor play spaces
- Cute details such as fabric curtains, 3D picture frames and unique lighting
- Reviewers say the assembly isn’t straightforward
- Heaviest option featured in our roundup
- High price point
When it comes to the crème de la crème of dollhouses, American Girl takes the cake. Designed with 18-inch dolls in mind, this expansive play space is complete with three levels for your child to explore. Inside, your little one’s dolls can make the most of luxurious amenities, such as a hot tub, a glowing fireplace and patio lighting. This life-sized doll house is sure to be a staple in your kiddo’s playspace for years to come.
Specs at a glance:
Measurements: 69.72” x 57” x 33.48”
Weight: 100.55 lbs.
We get it—parenting requires a lot of gear, and it can be hard to find the best fit for your family. To streamline your decision-making process, our goal is to do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through online retailers. We do this by considering a list of criteria when sourcing products, including ease of use, quality and durability, value, style and, last but definitely not least, safety. This way you can count on getting the best bang for your buck, while also having a dependable product that will meet your and your child’s needs.
To decide which products are the best options on the market, we leverage our familiarity with leading baby brands to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers. We read user reviews to get the low-down on how these products work for families, and typically don’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. And since many of us are also parents, we rely on our writers’ and editors’ experience using these products with their own families.
To make sure we’re highlighting products that are safe and effective, we chatted with a behavior analyst to understand essential features and safety considerations to keep top of mind when you’re shopping. We also follow the safety recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and look for certifications and seals of approval from key organizations.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
About the experts:
Jana Sarno, BCBA, is a board-certified behavior analyst and the chief clinical officer of Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers. She has worked as the vice president of applied behavior analysis at North Shore Pediatric Therapy and as an infant development program administrator at Coyne & Associates Education Corp.
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