what doll house for a boy?

[set81616]

DS loves to play with the doll houses at the toy stores. HE tends to take the pieces out and goes up and down stairs. I was thinking of this M&D castle
http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Folding-Medieval/dp/B000NV9FR0/ref=pd_sim_dbs_t_8
or should I do a tree house or something else? Size is an issue. I would like to get the house and pieces for around 100.
He is turning 4. I prefer wood but can do plastic if that will hols up better or is better.
Thanks,
Shannon

Edited to add. I researched old threads and it talked about houses with open fronts were better for play. If it completely opens like M&D is this considered open?

[JBaxter]

We have the Ryans Room firestation that nathan played with at that age
http://homestore3.com/ryhohefist30.html

[maestramommy]

We have the Ryans Room firestation that nathan played with at that age
http://homestore3.com/ryhohefist30.html

I saw Ryans room stuff for the first time last month. They are so cool! If we didn't already have the M&D house from last Christmas, I'd definitely look into this one. Such a friendly size, and not your typical dollhouse stuff.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Ds1 always had fun playing with the Little People things, even at 4-5yo. We had the castle and playhouse.

Beth

[Jacksmommy2b]

Size is a big concern for us too, and Dh flat out refused to get an actual dollhouse - add eyeroll - so I ended up snagging this one on clearance:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P323CA/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002HZO34&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=150NEX4JCHQFDGXFGW05

I just can't find decent images. :(

Anyway, it folds up like a suitcase and it comes with a bunch of the playmobil men and accessories. And J adores it. He wants to bring it everywhere. (we usually end up with a few of the men where ever we go.) I love to hear him in his room role-playing with the people and animals.

I am super impressed with Playmobil and the tons of different set-ups they offer. For xmas J wants the pet hospital and the cop set. If you buy all the pieces to each set you can spend a fortune, but I really don't see the reason anyone would need or have space for an entire set up.

I really can't say enough about them. And I know they do say smaller parts, but the pieces are much, much bigger than traditional Lego, and at 3 we haven't had any issues with small pieces.

[KpbS]

We have the Ryans Room firestation that nathan played with at that age
http://homestore3.com/ryhohefist30.html

We have this as well but DS was never interested in the figures that came with it. It is now a rescue house and we have substituted several different sets of playmobil guys--firefighters, fire chief, policeman, etc. You can find them very inexpensively (~2.50) at stores like Target.

DS1 has always liked his grandmother's playmobil dollhouse. We also have some vintage Fisher Price houses and figures like this one http://cgi.ebay.com/GUC-Vintage-Fisher-Price-Tudor-Doll-House-familt-lot_W0QQitemZ220484696724QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item3355e97a94&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Good luck w/ your decision.

ETA We also have an old Fisher Price castle http://cgi.ebay.com/FISHER-PRICE-GREAT-ADVENTURE-CASTLE-SHIP-FIGURES_W0QQitemZ270460213102QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH _DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ef8af576e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 with lots of playmobil knights and accessories to go with it. DS1 plays with this every single day. I spent $1 dollar on it from a rummage sale and he has gotten the knights for presents and rewards.

[set81616]

I really like some of these vinatage things. I have been looking garge sales but I dont go oftem. At the toy store he does like putting the dolls in and out of the beds, etc. I think the firehouse wont give him what he likes. Grandma wants to get it for him nd give him this next weekend so I have to make up my mind soon. What do you think will get the longest play? The older plastic type house or castle or the wooden M&D. I'd like him to get several years out of this.
Ugh, decisions.
Thanks

[pastrygirl]

I have the same question! My son loves the wooden dollhouse at the local library, but my husband won't let me get a dollhouse. We compromised by getting the Duplo house but my son just takes it apart instead of using it as a dollhouse.

I like that firehouse and the Playmobil stuff -- good suggestions!

[kijip]

This is the one we have. T got it for Christmas when he was 4 and 1/2.

http://www.amazon.com/Ryans-Room-Home-Where-Heart/dp/B00008XL3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1254099895&sr=1-1

It has been great for him and his friends to play with. Does not get a lot of play anymore but he keeps it very organized and likes to add things and move things here and there that match his life (like getting a baby brother, switching to a bunk bed etc).

I feel pretty strongly that if a boy wants a dollhouse, then if it is being bought it is best that it be a house and and not dressed up as something supposedly more acceptable for a boy. Just my opinion. I had a son that wanted a HOUSE, with furniture and people.

The M and D one that comes with furniture seems like a good deal. http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Furnished-Dollhouse/dp/B00006AG7D/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1254101074&sr=1-7

[kayte]

I saw the Ryan's Room Firehouse a few days ago at Tuesday Morning. As always with TM ymmv, but it you are interested in that one it's worth a look. I think it was around $30 and it came with the people and dog. THere was a separate firetruck sold separately.

(I have no experience with this just wanted to mention I saw it there since other's mentioned it. )

[lizzywednesday]

I may be late to the party, but HearthSong has a dollhouse called the "Eco Dollhouse" with "solar" panels on the roof, etc., and it is all wood rather than plastic (if that's a concern for your family) ... although it is made in Europe, so it may be out of your price range, although it's been reduced by $50 in their current "clearance" sale.

Here's the link:

http://www.hearthsong.com/product.asp?section_id=2010&search_type=featured&search_value=7106&cur_index=&pcode=2613

And here's a photo:

http://www.hearthsong.com/hsong_assets/images/shop/catalog/725566.jpg

[sadie427]

We have the Woody Click "holiday home" for our older DS. I really like it. He hasn't played w/ it as much as I thought he would, but he does like it. Looks like there's another woody click dollhouse that's more traditional looking. It coordinates well w/ other woody click stuff (we have some construction guys and the hospital set.)

It comes apart and goes back together, so could be stored easily. Some of the parts are really tiny, which might be an issue if you have younger kids around.

http://www.amazon.com/Hape-International-SL1055301-Woody-Holiday/dp/B000BITRQO/ref=pd_sbs_t_1

[proudsahmof3]

We got this one for our boys last year for Christmas. I snagged it at a consignment shop for $20! :cheerleader1: It was missing one of the sets of staircases, so I called PlanToys and they shipped me a new one totally for free! Excellent CS!

We bought the Playmobil furniture and accessories and filled it with that. Playmobil is so cool...

http://www.plantoys.com/catalog/products_detail.php?id=7124

They have some other really neat ones too that are less expensive (and not too girly).

[kristac]

Just to throw out another nonconventional idea:

Rocketship
http://www.amazon.com/KidKraft-Fun-Explorers-Rocket-Ship/dp/B002MQE1SC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1254868641&sr=1-5

Or submarine
http://kidkraft.com/toys-and-playsets/playsets/all/63228

[alexsmommy]

Having had a therapy office with a dollhouse and a firestation, if my boys showed interest in a dollhouse I would get a traditional wood dollhouse. So many boys were completely entranced with the dollhouse and it was "safe" to play with it in my office. Many ignored the firestation in lieu of the dollhouse (I worked with some pediatric burn patients, thus the firestation). I offered DS1 a dollhouse but he showed no interest, but he did want a kitchen so that's what he has. We'll see what DS2 wants. I feel very strongly that boys are part of households and should be free to roleplay this just as girls are. Luckily DH has no issues with this as long as the "houseplay" stuff isn't pink. Which works for me because then he's ok with me getting wood things which I prefer anyway lol.

[jess_g]

Although this is not wood my 5 year old son has this batman cave and he plays with it almost every day. It has a lot of traps and secret areas and comes with 3 figures plus he uses his lego people in it too.

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-M5652-Super-Friends-Batcave/dp/B0015KSU9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1254922547&sr=1-1

Just wanted to add another option.

Jessica.

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

We got this one for our boys last year for Christmas. I snagged it at a consignment shop for $20! :cheerleader1: It was missing one of the sets of staircases, so I called PlanToys and they shipped me a new one totally for free! Excellent CS!

We bought the Playmobil furniture and accessories and filled it with that. Playmobil is so cool...

http://www.plantoys.com/catalog/products_detail.php?id=7124

They have some other really neat ones too that are less expensive (and not too girly).

I love anything Plan Toys. We have the Green Dollhouse in my gift closet for DD when she is ready, but it is $$$$$$$$. (http://www.kangarooboo.com/product/details/1855-Plan-Toys-Green-Dollhouse-with-Furniture)We got it for a REALLY good price last year.