Dollhouses: Not Just For Kids

The earliest dollhouses discovered date back to as early 5,000 years ago.  These miniature homes were made primarily of wood and included carved furnishings and images of people and animals.  The earliest modern versions of dollhouses became popular in Europe in the 16th century.  From there, dollhouse makers never looked back, making and building these beautiful toys one piece at a time.  Today, dollhouses are as popular as ever and while most people would still see them as toys, they are as appealing to adults as they are to children.  Lovely, unique and sentimental, dollhouses are simply not just for kids anymore.
Dollhouses as gifts
Dollhouses are commonly given away as gifts.  As such, they are often brand new, slightly used hand-me-downs or lovingly hand-made by the giver.  Dollhouses make excellent gifts for kids because these toys provide hours of fun, interactive play.  Children have very creative imaginations and with a toy as elaborate as a dollhouse, there’s plenty of room for productive games.  For young teens, it can be a lovely memorabilia, a reminder of their childhood, a gift that when taken care of will increase in value over the years.
Dollhouses are also excellent gifts for adults and not just for kids.  A dollhouse can be the perfect gift to a young bride about to start her own family so she can also hand it down as an heirloom.  It can also be a great gift to house someone’s extensive miniatures collection.  To a senior parent, relative or friend, a dollhouse can be a calming and familiar sight.
Dollhouses as collections
Another reason why dollhouses are no longer just for kids is that they have become increasingly popular as collectibles.  From expensive antique little structures to limited edition models to the cutest, mass-produced toy homes, dollhouses can become a part of a new collection.  Each dollhouse can become a journey into a wonderful world of discovery.  Imagine being able to look at a world so small that you can hold it in your arms.  Imagine, too the kind of fascination you or the lucky recipient of your gift would feel at the sight of a beautifully made dollhouse.  
Dollhouses as hobbies
Centuries ago, wealthy families commissioned artists and craftsmen to create dollhouses.  These were works of art really and surviving models are now worth a fortune.  But there’s really no need to spend thousands of dollars on these hard-to-find models.  Start your own collection, swap with other collectors or rebuild and remodel older dollhouses.  
Or build your own.  There are countless resources you can find online, with most of the information provided by hobbyists, collectors and clubs.  With all these resources available for enthusiasts and fans, there’s no reason why you can’t start your own small collection.  Once you’ve started, you’ll understand completely why dollhouses are not just for kids anymore.  Be ready to get hooked.