Bazey Mama: Product Review: Plan Toys Terrace Dollhouse

Hi Friends!

I did some serious internet research for the 'perfect first dollhouse' for Isla (who was turning 3). I had certain criteria which really helped narrow it down. I wanted something:

-wooden (and well made!)
- timeless (i.e.: not a ton of modern pieces or bright colors)
- A dollhouse more than one kid could play with

I looked at the Kid Kraft dollhouses (too bright and busy for us), Fisher Price (too plastic), Ryan's Room (a shortage of furniture apparently) and Lundby (so in love with them for ME--but too adult for Isla- they're so pretty!) I also looked into a really beautiful homemade dollhouse from Camden Rose built entirely out of cherry. That thing is a serious heirloom! In the end I narrowed it down to the Hape All Season Dollhouse , Melissa and Doug Hi-Rise Dollhouse and the Plan Toys Terrace Dollhouse . I compared price, furnished/not (all come with options), colors and size. I read a TON of Amazon comments and blogs with varying opinions. Keep in mind when reading those that everyone's kid is different and pick apart the pieces that apply to you. I loved many of the 'first' dollhouse versions from Plan Toys and Melissa and Doug but it was too simple for Isla and I knew she'd need an upgrade.

We ended up going with the Plan Toys Terrace Dollhouse. It helped that I saw this model set up in a toys store and Isla loved it! The price was a bit more for this one than the other two we were considering but I read many reviews that regretted not buying this model. I loved the Melissa and Doug version but had similar concerns as many of the reviews I read that Isla would break the elevator. The house is furnished which is nice but the furniture is VERY basic- like painted on faucets,etc. It also was just too bright for what I wanted. The Hape version was very cute and I LOVE the furniture sets- they're adorable (!!!) but it was too colorful for us. I also read a review that the stair configuration was confusing for kids- the stairs don't go to all levels. If you have a boy and need a dollhouse Hape makes some really cool models of dollhouses- very geometric and not overly girly.

What sold me on the Play Toys dollhouse was the simplicity of it. The fact that more than one kid can play with it at a time and it's not overly girly. You can also change the configuration of the dollhouse. For instance the door was blocking Isla's ability to put furniture in the living room easily so we moved it to the side. There are little clips that go in and out that make it really simple to move. Any of the vertical wood pieces, windows, sky light and door can be moved. The dollhouse is REALLY sturdy- perfect for a 3 year old who doesn't know her own strength ;) It's very open and easy to access or move things around. We are pretty much head over heels in love with our choice for Isla!

If that roofline bothers you it can be tinkered with to line-up, we just didn't care enough :)

I went through Plan Toys website and picked out the furniture that I thought Isla would like the best. It was hard to find the entire line on Amazon so I talked to my amazing girlfriends and my Cousin had an amazing hook-up and got Isla all of the furniture for her birthday! What a lucky duck! The day it arrived was like a 2nd Christmas!

From a Mom standpoint- these furniture sets are REALLY cute, really well made and the extra touches are pretty rare these days with toys. For instance the toilet set lifts up (picture below), vegetables with garden are wood and felt, kitchen includes a tiny toaster and tea pot. So many cute extra touches! These sets are fairly pricey (about $20/set) but after receiving them I see why. I would happily pay that much for a set that was going to last and is really well designed. Isla loves them!

These are the sets we received:

Neo Bathroom

Neo Bedroom

Classic Children's room

Neo Dining room

Garden Swing

Neo Kitchen

Neo Living room

Nursery

patio

pets

vegetable garden

garden swing and pets (that swing kills me- so cute!)

children's room/nursery (that is a doll in the stroller)

Mobile over the crib and changing table (the top folds out)

Nursery crib

Bathroom.

Garden

Living room (Dining behind-high chair is in nursery set)

Note: I bought the dolls from Kid Kraft because I wanted a Grandma and Grandpa. They are so cute and fit great in the house. Also: I read over and over that Hape furniture and dolls are smaller than the dimensions of Plan Toys dollhouses and furniture. They're super cute but little.