Favorite wooden doll house for a boy? Calling all experts!

[mattysmom]

I think I've narrowed it down to one of these from Ryan's Room, but I was curious which one people liked better and why.
http://creativebrainsonline.com/ryanroomhomi.html

http://creativebrainsonline.com/ryanroomhoma.html

It's going to be ds's BIG 3rd birthday present (not until mid-february but I'm ordering it early - not like my mess at Christmas!) And then I thought other family members could get him furniture, etc.

Thanks so much for any advice on these or others!

[neeter]

No advice, but I'm interested in this topic, too, for DS' 3rd birthday (and he's just turning 2!) :)

ETA: I have my eye on this set, if anyone has any feedback:
http://creativebrainsonline.com/ryanroomits2.html

thanks!

[zuzu]

My DD got the second one you posted for Christmas this year. Though the middle two rooms are more difficult to reach than on the first model, DD loved the sliding doors, and for whatever toddler reason, preferred it. We also got several furniture sets, and will probably add the basement/garage level down the road. I think with the first one you can only add a garage and patio, and not a whole other level, though I may be remembering it incorrectly. If you have any specific questions, please let me know. I'm sure your son will love either though - we're all enjoying playing with DD's. :)

If you're at all interested in getting a furnished one, here's an option: http://tinyurl.com/7pswn, and there are other similar ones out there.

Good luck!

[hardysmom]

We got DS the Ryans Room fire station for his 4th birthday. He doesn't have the world best fine motor skills (probably on par with a typical 3yr old) and had trouble with it because the ceilings were low and the people/furniture were pretty big so it is difficult to move everything around.

Given that most boys' fine motor skills are a little behind girls, I would keep ceiling height/access in mind when getting a boy a doll-house. If I could do it again, I would have gotten something taller or with an open ceiling.

If there are younger siblings around, keep them away from the furniture. My twins were about 19 mo when I gave DS the firestation and managed to brreak about half of the furniture and the firestation door within 3 days.

It had a HUGE oh-ah factor and adults thought it LOOKED great, but it didn't last long.

Stephanie.

[R2sweetboys]

This isn't a doll house but a similar concept. I found it at Sensational Beginnings. It's too bad because they were on sale before Christmas. Maybe there's a coupon code out there.
http://www.sensationalbeginnings.com/itemdy00.asp?CATEGORY=&ITN=D+1+802X&T1=D+1+802X&QTY=1&PageNo=1&GEN1=&SKW=tree+house&product.x=65&product.y=36

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/31687.jpg

This is the deluxe version. (actually, the picture shows both the deluxe and basic attatched by the bridge. The deluxe is on the right) There's also a basic one. Kidsurplus.com has them on sale... http://www.kidsurplus.com/max80021.html

Target has this one by Battat. Hmmm, I might actually go for this one as it seems to come with more furniture,etc and it's bigger.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-1/qid=1136823801/ref=sr_2_1/601-7159012-4612922?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B000BKAOZA

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/31688.jpg


I know it's not exactly what you were asking about so please disregard if you're not interested. Just another idea. :) I was thinking about getting one for my son's third birthday.

~Leslie

SAHM to...
Ryan 8/14/00
Matthew 2/14/03

[wendmatt]

I second the tree house. I got the Battat one for DD for Christmas and she really likes it. It has lots of little animals and furniture and is open so quite easy to play with. I think a little boy would like it too.

[mattysmom]

Thanks for everyone's responses and for the ideas of getting a treehouse instead. I will keep researching for now.
Thanks!

[mommato2boys]

I like the treehouse idea too. It would be great to play with animals with. I can see the tree house getting more use than a "dollhouse" that a boy might end up seeing as girly as he gets older. The tree house would still have a cool factor!!

[jec2]

this is the one they have at daycare and Finn loves to play with it!