Loving Family Dollhouse

Updated on November 06, 2011
J.S. asks from Saint Paul, MN
11 answers

Hi all,

So. The Loving Family Dollhouse is on sale at ToyrUs right now for $59. I had planned to order my daughter the Loving Family Manor from Amazon.com, it is less expensive ($39) and about half the size.

But, since it's on sale, and the difference is $20, I am tempted to go big and get the big Grand Dollhouse for her "Santa" gift on Christmas morning.

My daughter is turning 3 in a few weeks. She seems the right age to go ahead and just get it (it has a listed manufacturer age of 3-5 for best ages for the product).

My husband is balking at the size (although we really do have space for it either in her room or in our finished/playroom basement). My mom would be happy to furnish it for her for Christmas, so getting extra furniture isn't an issue...

MY only hesitation is does a 3 year old really need that big of a dollhouse? Am I setting a precedent for fancy Christmas presents I won't be able to keep in the future? Generally my kids get 3 gifts on Christmas morning, plus a few stocking things and some handmade stuff from me. Will my boys (aged 5 and 6) feel like they are getting less if they don't have a huge toy?

Have you bought this dollhouse for your daughters?

Your thoughts, as always, are appreciated.
J.

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone. I've decided to just go for it, and promise not to post anymore dollhouse related questions!

J.

Featured Answers

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

We have the big grand one and it really isn't that big. I love it, it s so cute! The colors are great, the rooms are awesome and it is pretty affordable.

I say go for it!

2 moms found this helpful

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B..

answers from Dallas on

There were years where I got a bigger thing, and I got more little things. I never expected bigger and better. If your daughter isn't spoiled (doesn't sound like she is) then she won't expect more extravagant gifts every year. I'm not one for going too big at Christmas, but I would definitely spend $20 more and get a bigger one. She might end up playing with a bigger one longer. If your boys get things they are excited about, I doubt the will even care what their sister got ;)

ETA: I looked at them, and the larger one looks like it could fit Barbies and dolls of that size. She could definitely use that as she gets older. The smaller one doesn't seem like it would really fit taller dolls. I think the larger one grows with her more. Just my opinion :)

2 moms found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

It seems most ideal for 4 and up. Just turning three seems a little young.

That being said -- It's a great dollhouse, and smaller (especially closed up) than most, particularly the Barbie sized ones. If you get it -- I would add the rooms as gifts from different people..or different occasions for her to look forward to. There's an excitement to opening up and getting individual rooms -- which I think teaches some delayed gratification -- rather than just getting an entire furnished dollhouse.

It's also great to use with all the small princess size toys too (unfurnished -- some of the floors make great ballrooms!). She can make it a haunted house for Halloween, and decorate it for Christmas.

If you get some additional boy figures with it, or (or plastic animals or superheros) -- your boys may enjoy playing with it too.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

We have it and it really isn't that big when you close it up. I don't think the rooms are tall enough for Barbie dolls. Also, we didn't get every set of furniture. We bought a few at first and then added to it over time. We have the nursery, one bedroom, the kitchen, bathroom, and dining room. Their favorites are the kitchen and nursery. The deal at toys r us sounds great!!

1 mom found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I have bought dollhouses. I have to say I am really confused about the question. Will the boys feel like they are getting less if they don't have a huge toy? My boys, size wise have never got as big of toys as their sisters. Frankly when their toy of choice is video games there is no way I could afford bulk.

Three video games sizes up to an inch and a half by about 6 x 8. When Gen got her doll house that would have meant spending around 3,000 dollars on video games. So not happening.

Kids are happy if they get what they want or like, they do not notice size or price until they are older and even then it is just price they notice.

1 mom found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

I would totally get that for her. She will love it for YEARS. And your boys will too, if they are like my son was. He and my daughter used yarn or yoyo strings or shoe strings or whatever, to tie onto spiderman's wrist and have him "swing" in to save the day, or batman in his batmobile to drive up to the house and run inside to save the day, or ..... (you get the idea).
It was a great prop for both the kids.

1 mom found this helpful
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✩.!.

answers from Los Angeles on

I got my little girls "grand" loving family dollhouse when she was 2. Both my son (3 at the time) and her loved it and still play with it almost 3 years later. I would suggest getting it.

1 mom found this helpful

J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am a HUGE fan of fisher price toys. Wonderfully made, great customer service, etc. And the Loving Family dollhouse was a fave of my daughters when she was little. Got 2-3 years of playtime out of it. I say buy it and you have built in toy ideas for upcoming birthdays, etc.

That being said, its a hard age for the boys to understand. Bigger is better in their mind. is there a "large" gift you could get those guys? A basketball hoop? Awesome large sleds? Big packages are impressive and I know people will argue about the meaning of Christmas ... I know, I know, but they are kids and I personally LOVE to spoil mine.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

My girls (4.5 and 2.5) love their dollhouse. They use the living family figures but also the little people, princesses, ect. It is an open-ended toy that she is sure to.use for a long time.

1 mom found this helpful

K.L.

answers from Medford on

We gave our grand daughter the "My First Doll House" when she was about 2 1/2. She LOVES it still at 4 and the little chunky people are sweet and she loves them too. We bought the other furniture and big sister and grama too. I just wish they sold the people separately too so you could replace them when lost. Its not gigantic. maybe not quite 2 ft tall. I felt it was simple enough and suited to a toddler/preschooler, and later when shes 6 or 7 maybe get the more mature looking family and bigger doll house if shes still interested in them.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from San Antonio on

it is perfect. toys r us had the grand mansion furnished in person. I almost bought it and we have other dollhouses.

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