Castles

[AriNi31]

Hi
This year (amongst other things!) DS who is 4 would like a castle for Christmas. Originally he wanted a dolls house, because he likes the rooms and being able to move / arrange stuff inside. Now he has decided he wants a castle. Have been looking for one which might open out - have seen the 'Teamson' one - but is lots of money and also the Melissa and Doug one. Are there any others anyone would recommend? And which figures did you buy to go with it? I like the wooden type figures - but I imagine he'd want a dragon / princess / king as well as the knights. As they're not cheap and I want it to last, I want to get it right! He doesn't have any playmobil - I did think about this also...
Hoping to get lots of recommendations!
Thanks

We don't have a castle, but I have a friend with an older boy who raves about the Wonderland store in Edinburgh and the range/quality of castles, figures etc. -He-- his son is really into castles, knights, etc and has a really big collection.

Wonderland seem to have a really good range so maybe worth a look for some ideas and then check prices with Amazon etc.

I really wanted to get DS a castle for Christmas but he's adamant he wants a garage

Thank you so much!

DS got a castle for his b-day, its the melissa and doug and it totally rocks! We got a couple of budkins to go with it, and just one schleich knight as we werent sure what would work best. The funny thing is, scale wise, lego men and duplo men look great in it!! A mini figure of Wall-E has moved into the castle now, so its a castle populated with quite a motley crew!

DS1 had the Melissa & Doug one for his birthday this year too & it's been fab. It comes fully constructed so doesn't collapse mid-play & is hinged on one side so they can open it up to play. He's got some of the knights/dragon/troll from ELC but also has Ben10 figures & power rangers in there too! DS2 (18mths) loves playing with it too.

DS1 also has the Melissa and Doug castle and agree it is fab.

DS2 plastic Iggle Piggle has been known to live in it too!

Another vote for the melissa and doug one - looks great, good value, comes already constructed and has lots of rooms, a dungeon etc. We use playmobil knights and horses etc. DS (4) and DD (2) and me and DH love playing with it!!!

link to castle

Melissa and doug definitely. My DS got it for his birthday and it's fab.

We have the Melissa and Doug one too and it is fab. DD like to open it up and then sit in the middle of it to play. We use an assortment of Schleich, Happyland and Playmobil figures. It feels really sturdy and she loves the dungeon bit (we frequently find Kate Middleton from the ELC Royal Wedding set in there )

You want the Papo figures, they are amazing detail and will grow with him.

Does anyone have the 'fold n go' Melissa and Doug castle which is smaller, but is half the price (and portable)? Or is it worth shelling out for the full size one? Buying on line so cant really see the scale...