In these enlightened times, no toy is bound by gender. Here at TheToyZone, we understand the value of playing with different types of toys.
The educational value of playing with Lego and construction toys is now widely accepted, but the benefits of playing with dolls are often overlooked. According to this study published in the journal Developmental Science, playing imaginary games with dolls helps children develop social skills, theory of mind and empathy.
The research, which involved 33 boys and girls, proves that playing with dollhouses is a great way for them to learn new skills, expand their imaginations, learn about social situations, and release their creativity. So there you have it, scientific proof that boys can benefit from playing with dolls and dollhouses just as much as girls.
In this list, you’ll find a variety of dollhouses of different themes, prices, and sizes as we believe that every child’s needs, wants and interests are different. Finding the perfect gift can be a minefield, especially with the number of dollhouses out there to buy, so we’ve done the hard work for you and narrowed it down to 20 favorites.
If traditional dollhouses aren’t their bag, why not get them PLAYMOBIL Ghostbusters Firehouse? If they like animals and tractors, Lucky Doug Farm Animal House is a strong bet, and if they go mad for Bluey…Bluey Family Home Playset is the one.
It’s now in your hands, enjoy.
The Top 3 Dollhouses for Boys
Now you’ve seen our top 3, check out the rest of the list to find the perfect dollhouse for the special boy in your world. We have broken the list into two groups, rounding up the best dollhouses for younger boys and the top choices for older boys.
We’ve tried to make the list as diverse as possible, as every child is different and so is your budget.
10 Best Dollhouses for Younger Boys
1. Hape Fire Station Playset
We all have dreams of what we want to be when we grow up and at some point, a firefighter is on that list. Boys can live out that fantasy with the Hape Fire Station Playset. This wooden dollhouse is perfect for when the call comes in, and it’s time to get suited up and save the day.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
Included in this set is a detailed interior with a games room and office. There’s a bell to ring when trouble strikes and a pole for the firefighter doll to slide down into action. You also get a fire engine and a helicopter to blast fires from above. Boys will love acting out their imaginations with this amazing dollhouse.
What We Love:
❤️ The bell makes an alarm noise when activated
❤️ The front doors open by pull string
❤️ Comes with accessories like a fire extinguisher, fire hydrant, and firehouse dalmatian
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Wood can become warped if it gets wet
💔 Would benefit from interior furniture
| TIP 🚀 If your boy has dreams of becoming an astronaut, check out this Rocket and Spaceship playset also from Hape. |
2. Lucky Doug Farm Animal House
Have you ever dreamt about what it would be like to work on a farm? I know I have. Now you can give boys that thrill of looking after the animals, driving a tractor, and using all the produce you’ve grown to make a meal for the family with the Lucky Doug Farm Animal House.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This rustic-designed four bedroom dollhouse comes with everything you need to act out what it’s like to work on a real farm. There are four farmers, four animals (who make sounds), a tractor, and all the tools you need to keep the farm running. And when night falls, turn on the porch lights and enjoy the stars.
What We Love:
❤️ There are tons of accessories to play with
❤️ The cows moo and the sheep baa
❤️ Characters can hold the tools
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The characters don’t fit inside the tractor
💔 The animals are not to scale
3. Wooden Police Station Playset
To capture today’s sophisticated criminals, you need the latest technology in crime detection. With this Wooden Police Station Playset boys can fight crime in a realistic setting with computers, a police helicopter, and a trusty sniffer dog. When the call comes in, hop into the police car, and don’t forget the handcuffs.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This all-wooden dollhouse promotes important skills for younger boys, including creative thinking, hand-eye coordination, and brain development. It comes with two police officers to get on the case, whether that means conducting the morning briefing, taking the dog on patrol, or resting up before a stakeout.
What We Love:
❤️ You can move all the furniture around
❤️ The characters fit inside the police car and helicopter
❤️ Made from sustainable materials
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The gun range is a bit much for 3-year-olds
💔 Not much diversity among the figures
4. CoComelon Deluxe Family House Playset
CoComelon seems to have taken over the world with their highly watched YouTube videos. Boys can take their love of these characters from the screen to their rooms with the CoComelon Deluxe Family House Playset. With eight characters to choose from, it’s a family affair including JJ, TomTom, Yoyo, Mom, and Dad.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This adorable dollhouse opens up to reveal four rooms for the family to enjoy, all with its own set of furniture. Grab a snack from the refrigerator and enjoy it on the sofa or use the shark potty before snuggling into the crib for the night. If you’re feeling like a sing-a-long, there’s a special button to press on the floor which will get you started.
What We Love:
❤️ Has a carry handle for easy transport
❤️ All pieces can be stored inside the dollhouse
❤️ Characters look just like they do in the show
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The windows conflict with interior details
💔 The front door doesn’t open
| TIP 💡 If you’re hooked on CoComelon, there’s so much more to collect, like the School Time Deluxe Playset. |
5. Fisher-Price Imaginext SpongeBob Bikini Bottom Playset
“OOOOOOHHHHHH who lives in a pineapple under the sea?” If you know the answer, then the Fisher-Price Imaginext SpongeBob Bikini Bottom Playset could be the perfect dollhouse for you. SpongeBob and Squidward may not be the best of neighbors, but that’s all part of the fun. Boys can act out their favorite moments from the delightful Conch Street residents.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
Open the doors to reveal what’s inside these Bikini Bottom homes as SpongeBob springs into action by sliding straight out of his bed by pressing down on the chimney. He can then spin around Squidward’s home, causing its eyes to move. After that, have some fun with the jellyfish launcher. This dollhouse is ideal for fans of the popular show.
What We Love:
❤️ The jellyfish can be stored on the windmill
❤️ Both characters fit in each house
❤️ You can move the legs on both SpongeBob and Squidward
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Squidward doesn’t get a bed
💔 SpongeBob often gets stuck on the slide
| TIP 🧽️ Play the song and sing-a-long: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9L4AseD-aA |
6. Fisher-Price Little People Surprise & Sounds
If you’re looking for the perfect dollhouse for a younger boy who loves all the sights and sounds of a real home, you should try the Fisher-Price Little People Surprise & Sounds. With this cute interactive playset, boys can experience what it’s like for their dolls to be in a house with real house noises. Not only that, but there’s a radio to tune into their new favorite sing-a-long songs.
| Recommended age: 12 months and above |
Open up this colorful dollhouse to reveal five different rooms where their dolls can live, play, and sing to their heart’s content. It contains different sound effects for each room as the alarm clock rings to wake them up, the refrigerator clinks with the sound of the bottles inside, and even the toilet makes a flushing sound after use.
What We Love:
❤️ There’s a carry handle for easy transportation
❤️ There are three characters to play with
❤️ Has over 50 sounds and songs to interact with
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The songs can become quite annoying for parents
💔 There are four beds but only three characters
7. PAW Patrol, Rescue Knights Castle HQ
If you’ve ever seen PAW Patrol, you’ll be familiar with them saving the day in Adventure Bay, but have you ever thought about the good they could do in the medieval times of knights and dragons? Me neither, but with the PAW Patrol, Rescue Knights Castle HQ, the team is there to protect the castle and its mythical inhabitants.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This castle might look a little dull on the outside, but on the inside, there’s so much to do. With a throne room, library, dungeon, and secret passageways, boys can expand their imaginations whilst keeping the treasure chest out of the wrong hands. Whether you’re launching the rescue net from the watch tower or lowering the drawbridge to grant access, there are so many adventures to be had.
What We Love:
❤️ The rescue net launcher pops into action when needed
❤️ There are multiple rooms to play in
❤️ Comes with other accessories like a dragon figure and baby dragon egg
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Made entirely from plastic
💔 You have to purchase the rest of the team separately
8. Minions The Rise of Gru Gadget Lair Playset
Minions have taken over the planet and with all the merchandise and movies being made, love them or loathe them, they’re here to stay. Now you can act out your own Minion adventures with the Minions The Rise of Gru Gadget Lair Playset. Boys will revel in exploring this evil lair, discovering all the trapdoors, launchers, and of course, the famous rocket ship.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
Boys will unlock their inner evil mastermind as they make a plot for world domination with their faithful little yellow helpers. Minions can take the elevator to the rocket platform, board it, and take flight. They can reveal the secret projectile launcher (which actually fires a sticky hand projectile) by pushing down on the power pad or, if all else fails, make a quick escape through the trapdoor.
What We Love:
❤️ The rocket pops up with the elevator
❤️ Comes with a jackhammer accessory
❤️ You can purchase other Minions to join the party
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Only comes with one Minion, Otto
💔 There are a few small places where fingers could get stuck
| TIP 💡 Complete the set with Minions Stuart, Bob, Kevin and Otto, plus Gru and Belle Bottom here. |
9. Peppa Pig’s House Playset
Step inside the wonderful world of the popular pig as you open up Peppa Pig’s House Playset to reveal what Peppa, Suzy, and George get up to when they’re at home. If you have a Peppa Pig fan on your hands, this is the perfect dollhouse to let them act out their own home adventures with their favorite characters.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This may not be the biggest dollhouse going, but with four rooms and 15 accessory pieces, there’s no end to what their imagination can conjure up. Peppa can step into the kitchen to check what’s in the refrigerator as Suzy watches her favorite show on the television and George catches up on his laundry. Then they can all sit at the table for dinner before settling in for a good night’s sleep.
What We Love:
❤️ Has a carry handle
❤️ The figures are detailed, just like the show
❤️ Comes with a staircase
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It is a little on the small side
💔 Ladder for the bunk bed doesn’t stay up on its own
10. Bluey Family Home Playset
In the world of Bluey, family is extremely important and so is their home. If you can’t live in the actual Bluey house, then the Bluey Family Home Playset is the next logical step. As you open up the front, you reveal the four rooms in the Bluey residence, the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and Bluey and Bingo’s bedroom.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
There’s plenty of room for the family to live comfortably as they go on adventures and learn life lessons along the way in this finely detailed dollhouse. The wall doubles as a patio where boys can move the furniture around to suit their design ideas. Each figure is individually painted to mimic the characters from the popular kids’ show.
What We Love:
❤️ The front door opens to welcome guests
❤️ There’s enough room in the tub for both Bluey and Bingo
❤️ There are 2 holes in the roof to act as a carry handle
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The figures can’t sit on the chairs because of their tails
💔 The stickers have a habit of unsticking
| TIP 💡 If the family needs a vacation, hop in the 4WD with added surfboards. |
10 Best Dollhouses for Older Boys
11. PLAYMOBIL Ghostbusters Firehouse
When there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? Duh, Ghostbusters. Boys can be transported into their favorite classic movie with their favorite classic toy, Playmobil in the Ghostbusters Firehouse. Boys will love bringing Ghostbusters to life by playing as Egon, Ray, and Janine in their HQ. They can slide down the fire pole, perform experiments in the lab, and take those emergency calls from the office. “WE GOT ONE!
| Recommended age: 6 years and above |
There are plenty of accessories to play with in this three-story playset. You can trap your latest capture in the basement, carry out paranormal tests on the possessed in the lab, or read the paper as you sit by the phone waiting for those calls. Just watch out for the ghouls that have got loose roaming the halls.
What We Love:
❤️ There are 5 characters to play with
❤️ Ray’s proton pack shoots out a stream of whatever it is it shoots
❤️ Comes with loads of extra accessories like pizza boxes and science beakers
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It can take a while to put together
💔 There are a lot of small pieces
| TIP 👻 Add an extra dimension to your play set with the infamous PLAYMOBIL Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. |
12. Hape Vikings Castle Dollhouse Playset
Real life not your boys’ thing? Well, step into the magical world of mythical creatures and historic warriors with the Hape Vikings Castle Dollhouse Playset. Imaginations can run wild with witches, dragons, and goblins galore as you make your way through each scary room in this castle-themed dollhouse.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
If you dare to venture down to the basement, you’ll find the troll living among the spider webs. There’s a room where you can make secret potions with the castle’s witch, a throne room, and a treasure room containing a real-life dragon egg. I just hope you manage to stay out of the dungeon.
What We Love:
❤️ Contains glow-in-the-dark pieces like the spider web
❤️ Comes with accessories like a cauldron and flying broomstick
❤️ Castle can be folded up when not in use
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Assembly can be difficult
💔 The troll is just plain weird
13. KidKraft Everyday Heroes Wooden Playset
In the real world it’s not Iron Man or Captain Marvel who are the heroes of the day, it’s the hard-working people of the emergency services saving lives, battling fires, and fighting crime. With the KidKraft Everyday Heroes Wooden Playset, boys can roleplay as the heroes they admire, and with 12 different rooms to explore, they don’t even have to leave the precinct to have fun.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This large dollhouse has everything you need to immerse yourself into the flashing light family. Whether you’re a firefighter, police officer, or both, each room is based on the real thing. Before the adventure starts, get your rest, watch some TV, cook some food, and work out in the gym, then when the call comes in, slide down the pole, jump into your vehicle, and get those sirens wailing.
What We Love:
❤️ Comes with three different vehicles, two figures, and a dog
❤️ The furniture can be moved around from room to room
❤️ Can be folded away for storage
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The instructions can be hard to follow
💔 The figures have to be bent to fit in the beds
14. Star Wars Galactic Heroes 2-In-1 Millennium Falcon
If your boys are anything like me, they’ll dream of growing up to be a scruffy-looking nerf herder who flies around the galaxy saving the day with their Wookie best friend. Now that fantasy can come to true with the Star Wars Galactic Heroes 2-In-1 Millennium Falcon because a spaceship is basically a dollhouse…just in space.
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
Not only can you fly around in the galaxy’s most famous ship, but when you park, the whole thing opens up to reveal what’s going on inside. Walk the halls with Chewbacca and R2D2, position the radar to receive secret messages from the rebel alliance, or assume battle positions by the rocket launcher. However you choose to play, may the force be with you.
What We Love:
❤️ Has lights and sounds from the Star Wars movies
❤️ You can position the launcher in different places
❤️ Converts easily from vehicle to command center
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Where’s Han Solo?
💔 Chewy looks a little weird
| TIP 💡 Want more figures to play with? Check out this Star Wars Galactic Heroes Multipack. |
15. PLAYMOBIL Modern House Building Set
Playmobil has been entertaining kids for sooooo long now, they have their own museum and theme park, so obviously it made our list. The PLAYMOBIL Modern House Building Set is the perfect home for the modern family with its five huge rooms, furniture galore, and something for everyone, all built with your own hands.
| Recommended age: 4 years and above |
It’s up to you how you spend your time at home, and there’s so much to do. Rearrange the furniture to your liking, watch sports on the big screen TV, take a shower, or lounge in the sun in your backyard. Ding Dong, who’s that at the door? It’s friends coming round to enjoy a cookout on your new BBQ.
What We Love:
❤️ The doorbell actually makes a noise
❤️ You can decorate each room differently
❤️ Has an outside patio for alfresco dining
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It only comes with two figures
💔 You have to purchase extra furniture to match the pictures on the box
| TIP 🏠 Want to expand your new home? Check out the PLAYMOBIL Kitchen and PLAYMOBIL Living Room expansion playsets. |
16. Batman, Bat-Tech Batcave
When it comes to crime fighting at night, there’s no better superhero than the dark knight himself, Batman. But, as Batman doesn’t actually have superpowers, he must rely on the technology made in his secret underground lair, the Batcave. Boys will love roleplaying as Batman as he hides out in his high-tech HQ, inventing new exciting ways to catch Gotham’s bad guys.
| Recommended age: 4 years and above |
This dollhouse starts out as a huge 33” tall Batman that opens up to reveal 10 different areas to explore. Take the elevator up to the batcomputer to monitor villains, get ready for action in the armory, keep the bad guys locked up in batjail, and use your grappling hook to easily get from room to room.
What We Love:
❤️ Has over 40 phrases and sounds
❤️ Comes with loads of accessories and armor
❤️ There’s a dojo to train before hitting the streets
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Only comes with one figure
💔 Has lots of small moving parts
| TIP 🦇 Add more characters to the set with Robin and The Joker Action Figures. |
17. KidKraft Pirate’s Cove Wooden Ship Play Set
The are many characters kids love to roleplay that never change. Pirates are one of them. Boys will love stepping into the shoes of these swashbucklers as they dock and count their loot in the KidKraft Pirate’s Cove Wooden Ship Play Set. This fantastic playset includes both a pirate ship and a four-story pirate hideout with plenty of room to do what pirates do best, be merry.
| Recommended age: 4 years and above |
These bandits will have the time of their lives eating and drinking by the open fire, playing the old sea shanties on the piano, dividing up their treasure, and (if there’s time) getting some much-needed shut-eye in the bedroom. Don’t worry, there’s a crow’s nest to keep watch and if the enemy try to attack, you have two large cannons to fight them off.
What We Love:
❤️ Made from wood, sustainable
❤️ There’s a working crane to move supplies off the ship
❤️ Comes with four pirates to play with
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Takes a while to assemble
💔 Parts of the construction are fragile
18. ROBOTIME DIY Dollhouse Kit
It doesn’t matter how old you are, using your imagination is one of the greatest things we can do as human beings. We just need a little help sometimes. The ROBOTIME DIY Dollhouse Kit is ideal for older boys who want an extra challenge with their dollhouse…building it from scratch.
| Recommended age: 14 years and above |
This adorable miniature has so many intricate details that will keep you as occupied, playing as much as building. But be warned, this dollhouse is not for beginners, it takes a long time to construct, but we feel that’s all part of the fun. If you’re feeling extra creative, get hold of some lights and illuminate your structure.
What We Love:
❤️ Ideal for boys who have an engineering side
❤️ Looks incredibly realistic
❤️ You can get actual fabric for the mini curtains
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The instructions can be hard to follow
💔 There are a lot of components, so keep them safe
19. TOP BRIGHT Wooden Dollhouse
If you’ve ever dreamed of living in an exquisite mansion, look no further than the TOP BRIGHT Wooden Dollhouse. Boys will live a life of luxury with their huge bed, fireplace, roll top tub, and large oven to cook extravagant meals for the rest of the family (or get them to cook for you, it is your house after all).
| Recommended age: 3 years and above |
The furniture in this elegant home is of the highest taste and there’s plenty of it to fill the rooms as this dollhouse has 12 different pieces, including a dining table, sofa set, and a toilet (no batteries required). And if you’re too tired to face the staircase, there’s a beautiful elevator to take you to each floor.
What We Love:
❤️ Stands at 31” tall
❤️ Made from wood, so safe and sustainable
❤️ The side windows open up
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Some have said it’s a “pain in the butt” to assemble
💔 Doesn’t come with any dolls
20. LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle 71043
Where is the greatest place to go to school? Hogwarts of course! Unfortunately, it’s not somewhere we can all go, until now. Boys will love the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle not only for all the spells they can learn and practice, but because they get to build it first. This immense structure is made up of 6020 pieces of LEGO making it ideal for dollhouse fans as well as brick heads.
| Recommended age: 16 years and above |
Enjoy epic adventures with your favorite housemasters Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Salazar Slytherin, and Rowena Ravenclaw as well as 27 other microfigures all included in this set. It’s packed with little details straight from the movies as you visit Hagrid’s Hut, dine in the Great Hall, and enter the Chamber of Secrets.
What We Love:
❤️ There are lots of turrets, chambers, and classrooms inside
❤️ Building it is as fun as playing with it
❤️ A must-have for any Harry Potter fan
What We Don’t Love:
💔 You need a big space to build it in
💔 Once complete, it takes time to demolish and start again
| TIP 🧙♀️ There are tons of other cool Harry Potter models to build like the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Hospital Wing 76398 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dollhouses for Boys
🙋♂️ Should boys play with dolls?
The simple answer is, of course! Dolls provide boys with many developmental skills which will aid them in later life. Playing with dolls teaches kids empathy as they imagine looking after another being, as well as helping to expand their imaginative play.
As boys interact with dolls and dollhouses, they mimic adults in their routines and treat their dolls the same way. They know they have a bad time/bath time/dinner time, so they will do the same for the dolls they’re looking after.
These skills are for all kids to learn, not just girls.
🙋♂️ What is the best age for a kid to play with a dollhouse?
The best age for kids to start playing with dollhouses is around 3 years old. At 1-2 years old, they are only just beginning their journey into pretend play and won’t usually know what to do with a whole dollhouse. At 3, kids start to act out social scenarios and as their imagination becomes more complex, so will the situations they act out with dolls.
At this age, kids will usually start to create storylines for their dolls to act out. Don’t worry if they don’t make sense to you, each story develops the child’s understanding of the world around them and how we interact with each other.
🙋♂️ What are the educational benefits of playing with dollhouses?
There are so many benefits kids gain from playing with dolls and dollhouses. As we’ve mentioned, it expands their imagination and understanding of social situations, but here are some more benefits we’ve found.
- The limitations are endless – Kids can act out whatever scenario pops into their heads. There’s no right or wrong answers in this imaginary world.
- Roleplay – By acting out the world they see around them, kids will start to gain a greater understanding of how people interact with one another.
- Being creative – When kids move around the furniture in their dollhouse, decorate it, or swap the rooms around altogether, they are demonstrating their creativity, storytelling skills, and fine motor skills.
- Real-world 3D play – Interacting with dollhouses, like other toys, takes children’s focus away from screens. We all know how educational computers are, but too much screen time can be detrimental to kids at this age.
So… What Dollhouse Should You Get?
As we all know, every kid is different. Find out what the child in question likes and what types of themes they like to interact with. If your boy likes Star Wars, then the Star Wars Galactic Heroes 2-In-1 Millennium Falcon is an obvious choice. If they like medieval knights and kings, go for the PAW Patrol, Rescue Knights Castle HQ. And if they are obsessed with LEGO, you can’t miss with the LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle.
With all of these lists, we try to include as many different options as possible, so you can find the perfect dollhouse which matches your budget and the size of the space they play in. If you see a dollhouse you’d like to see on this list, please let us know!
