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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:
QuietDragon · 13/08/2023 21:56

Yes definitely! I'd also let her pick out wallpaper etc to customise the rooms!

megacat · 13/08/2023 22:02

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.

Urgh, what a grim way of thinking.

I'm 45 and have a doll house. 10 is fine.

Willyoujustbequiet · 13/08/2023 22:07

Adults have them. Who cares what anyone thinks.

Cloudsandyoghurts · 13/08/2023 22:09

My DD asked for a specific sylvanian family set for her 12th birthday (in Yr7) she did play with it along with other 'childish' things but Kept them hidden when friends came over. In yr7&8 it seemed she was straddling childhood and teenager but it didnt cause any problems, I know from chatting to another parent that one of her friends still played with her baby dolls but also hid them when friends were round. I thinknits probably quite common.

Redshoeblueshoe · 13/08/2023 22:09

My friend bought one, allegedly for her GD's. She's always buying new bits, and making stuff for it. If I were to see an old fashioned one I'd be tempted to get it.

BlastedIce · 13/08/2023 22:10

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!

Love it! That’s so funny!

Bibbitybobbitty · 13/08/2023 22:13

Let her be a kid as long as she wants, buy the dolls house! In 70/80s it was totally normal for 12/13 yr old to still be playing with toys, bit sad that modern life makes them grow up so quickly.

Bibbitybobbitty · 13/08/2023 22:16

My son's were given a load of boys toys - power rangers, cars etc by a friend at 9 yrs old....every time her son came over (most days!) he basically played with his toys which had been given away to his best friends (My oldest) wee brother, made me sad really

Schemes · 13/08/2023 22:19

My dd asked for a dolls house when she was nine and I felt the same way. Like she was too old but on the other hand I didn't know what I thought she should be spending her time doing instead.

I got it and she played with it for ages.

PattyDuckface · 13/08/2023 22:28

Absolutely I would.

I had one at that age and used it for decorating it, making clothes for the dolls and creating the furniture. It was a creative and lovely experience.
I went on to be a designer as a grown up.

Anyway, it's irrelevant what her motives are, if she fancies playing with a dolls house it's no big deal.

5foot5 · 13/08/2023 22:30

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

This sounds good. Potentially an older child could have creative fun like this.

DD had a traditional style wooden dolls house from a very young age, just turned two I think. Mainly because MIL had always wanted one and then had only sobs herself so she was desperate for a granddaughter. She couldn't wait to provide the dolls house with furniture and a little family. Bless.

DD did play with it, but mostly she took stuff out of the house itself to set up her own scenes and use with other toys. Over time the Playmobil, Polly Pockets, Lego and dolls house things got fairly intermingled.

TBH by the time she was 10 she had more or less lost interest, but maybe that was because she had it so young.

She us an adult now and about a year ago we gave the house, furniture and all the people to a local charity shop!

WhataPlaice · 13/08/2023 22:34

Those Cutebee houses are miniature kits that need assembling. They are clearly marked age 14+. They come with tiny pieces that need assembling with tweezers and glue. They are not for playing with, they are models to be admired. They are totally gorgeous but not suitable for a 10 year old to play with.

Medusaismyhero · 13/08/2023 22:35

My DS is 10 just after Christmas and he's asked for a dolls house - I've picked up the exact one he wants second hand and it's in the attic ready to be brought down on Christmas Eve. I'm almost as excited as he is!

OnlineExxxcitement · 14/08/2023 07:30

It's fine. Let the poo girl have it!

calmcoco · 14/08/2023 07:37

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.

There's something illogical going on here.

Your DD has asked for something. You want to say no, and disappoint her, in case she changes her mind later?

Don't be the type of parent who tries to control what their child likes or feels.

If she doesn't play with it later, what have you lost? You can sell it secondhand and she'll learn somethin valuable about her own self.

Your DD is the person who matters, it doesn't matter what her friends think. If we want independent children, we have to support our children to make their own choices.

Freysimo · 14/08/2023 07:54

Please buy her one. I played with mine (handmade by uncle for his daughter and passed to me) until I was 13. Then my mum gave it away 😡. I wish I still had it.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 14/08/2023 08:27

My aunt is in her 70s and still loves a reason to get her childhood dolls house out. The reason is usually DD, who, at nearly 12, is still happy to play.

JazbayGrapes · 14/08/2023 08:40

Yes of course. Unless you want to start another thread that you DD is interested in nothing but her phone.

newnamethanks · 14/08/2023 08:49

A friend bought herself a dolls house when she retired. She says she always wanted one, she's brought up her 2 adult children and now she's got time and money to do what she wants to at last. Seems to give her a lot of pleasure. So, OP, I would definitely buy a 10 year old a dolls house if she wanted one, not too old at all.

Thesearmsofmine · 14/08/2023 08:55

Yes I. Would. I actually dislike toys with upper age limits(unless the limit is due to safety) because who says there has to be a cut off age for play?

CorylusAgain · 14/08/2023 09:37

As its for her Sylvanian Families, its possible that she wants the simple form of dolls house because she'll use it to display her Families as much as 'play' with them

Thequeenofthetypis · 14/08/2023 09:44

My 13 year old has a dolls house from this website. https://www.melodyjane.com/
She uses pocket money to buy occasional furniture and decor pieces, ut she mostly makes the decorations and furniture using fimo clay. It's a mish mash of bought, home made and 2nd hand sylvanian furniture. She spends hours working on it.

Dolls House Accessories | Doll House Furniture | Doll Houses | Melody Jane Dolls Houses Ltd

Melody Jane Dolls Houses are delighted to offer a huge range of dolls house accessories,miniature dolls houses, doll house furniture and dolls houses.

https://www.melodyjane.com

nofuturewithout · 14/08/2023 11:02

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.

Why no?

Original poster
Mastmw7g · 14/08/2023 14:05

I've never sold anything second hand, so I'm not thinking that will suddenly change. I did show her cheaper ones, but she was insistent it be this one.

OP posts: