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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you buy a dollhouse for a 10 year old?

63 replies

Mastmw7g · 13/08/2023 20:41

My daughter asked for a dollhouse that's recommended for ages 3 to 6. I'm glad she still wants to play with toys but hesitant to buy something intended for a much younger child.

OP posts:
Summerwashout · 13/08/2023 20:42

Yes buy it or second hand.

footballcominghome1 · 13/08/2023 20:43

Yes, if that's what she wanted

Stompythedinosaur · 13/08/2023 20:43

It depends on how expensive it is, or whether you think they are likely to play much with it.

I'm not opposed in principle though.

PuttingDownRoots · 13/08/2023 20:43

Is there a similar adult version (model doll houses is a pretty well known hobby) or is it a character thing?

Robinbuildsbears · 13/08/2023 20:43

If it's something she wants, what's the problem?

calmcoco · 13/08/2023 20:45

I would buy what my children asked for unless I couldn't afford it or thought it properly inappropriate (meaning too old).

londonrach · 13/08/2023 20:47

Yes ...dn wanted one aged 13 and used it to do designs in the different rooms .it looks amazing..... adults have dolls houses ....if a child asked go for it but maybe second hand

VinEtFromage · 13/08/2023 20:48

Yes. I would & did. I bought my niece a doll she wanted at that age. I'd rather buy them a toy they want than stuff I think is too old for them.

Original poster
Mastmw7g · 13/08/2023 20:52

It is a bit expensive, and she's insistent it be this dollhouse and not another. But I'm mostly afraid she won't play with it, or will immediately give it up because someone from school says it's too young for them.

OP posts:
OneRingToRuleThemAll · 13/08/2023 20:59

Is it a Barbie Dreamhouse? I reckon girls of all ages will want one this year.

I'm 36 and want one!

Crzy · 13/08/2023 21:00

Show her some of the pretty adult ones like this and give her the choice between them or the one she wants? https://www.amazon.co.uk/CUTEBEE-Dollhouse-Miniature-Furniture-DollHouse/dp/B082R3F86Z/ref=asc_df_B07SYHL847/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310764962823&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1488287887310386896&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045001&hvtargid=pla-788106682981&psc=1&th=1 she might find another she prefers in terms of aesthetic but if she’s got her heart set on that one I’d get it for her altho I’d probably try marketplace ect for a second hand one first if you don’t want to spend that money on a younger child’s version. If she doesn’t like it a few months down the line you can give her the option to sell it and use the money to buy something else she wants.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CUTEBEE-Dollhouse-Miniature-Furniture-DollHouse/dp/B082R3F86Z/ref=asc_df_B07SYHL847/?linkCode=df0&hvadid=310764962823&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1488287887310386896&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9045001&hvtargid=pla-788106682981&psc=1&th=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-4871379-would-you-buy-a-dollhouse-for-a-10-year-old

elenacampana · 13/08/2023 21:02

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 13/08/2023 20:59

Is it a Barbie Dreamhouse? I reckon girls of all ages will want one this year.

I'm 36 and want one!

Also 36. The excitement I felt when my niece got one surprised me! 🌸💞👱🏻‍♀️

Neonyellowfish · 13/08/2023 21:03

Depends … if it was a proper antique collectible one then yes but no I wouldn’t buy a 10 year old a 3-6 year old dolls house unless she has special needs.

Redshoeblueshoe · 13/08/2023 21:06

Crzy that's great.

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 13/08/2023 21:15

Yes I would in fact I'd buy one for me if I could .

MaryShelley1818 · 13/08/2023 21:19

Yes definitely if that's what they wanted 😊

UncleBryn · 13/08/2023 21:19

My daughter wanted Schleich at age 11. I thought she was too old to start liking a new toy but I bought a load second hand and she had a few new sets. She kept it in the spare room (my reason to her was there was more space but I was worried friends who came over would be unkind about her playing with toys). She has had a lovely few years enjoying them in her own space, sometimes I joined her and just let her talk me through what she was doing, other times she wanted time alone. She has just sold it all for more than I paid for it so is over the moon to now have some money to buy something new. Let her enjoy what she wants, they all mature at different stages. Playing with this was a real calming thing for my DD.

nofuturewithout · 13/08/2023 21:24

Absolutely buy it! I was so sad when my daughter ceased playing with dolls. It felt like her childhood was over. I’d do anything to have those days back.

Kpo58 · 13/08/2023 21:31

I think that it really depends on the dollhouse. Barbie or Sylvanian families yes. But if it's Peppa pig or Gabby's Dollhouse then no.

Original poster
Mastmw7g · 13/08/2023 21:37

It's just a plain wooden dollhouse usually bought for day nurseries, so it could withstand heavy use. She does want to use it for her Sylvian family.

OP posts:
IkeaMeatballGravy · 13/08/2023 21:44

I work in a toy shop and get this a lot with slightly older children. It's like they realise they are starting to get older and want to have a last spell of enjoying younger toys before they are too grown up. Let her have the dolls house she wants, what harm will it do?

We also get a lot of adult collectors of certain toys. Again it doesn't do anyone any harm so why not?

MissDollyMix · 13/08/2023 21:47

Maybe not quite the same but my DM has a beautiful adult collectors type of dolls house. She’s spent ££££ on it over the years so my DD (also 10) has never been allowed to touch it- until today when we visited and DM said she was old now to play with it. Honestly, my DD disappeared and played with it for hours!! I think if your DD is still into creative play then there’s no reason not to get her a dolls house.

Yellowlegobrick · 13/08/2023 21:48

Of course

Its easy to evolve to a more mature pastime. A creative child may move on to decorating it, interior designing the rooms, making little furniture or items for it etc. My sister still played with hers well past this age.

I'd be thrilled if my child wanted something like this rather than screens/phones/ adult & teen things they are barely old enough for.

SisterWedge · 13/08/2023 21:48

Yes I would. I'm 37 years older than her and would get one if I had the space!

IkeaMeatballGravy · 13/08/2023 21:53

We have a lot of adult collectors of Sylvanian families, one of my colleagues I think must spend all her wages on it. Your DD probably has it in mind to wire it up with the lovely lights and furnish it. Her own design will be much nicer than the SF houses you can buy.