Dollhouses: A Popular Pastime

Dollhouses have entertained young and old alike for centuries, perhaps as far back in time as there have been people with the imagination to create them. They are highly entertaining, interesting, and more accessible than ever.

It is believed that the children of the wealthy were entertained by dollhouses during the 1500s. Cabinet dollhouses, sometimes called baby houses were designed and collected by wealthy women in Europe starting in this same time period. These baby houses were for decoration or for show and were off-limits to children. It's no wonder, for they cost as much as a modest home of the day. German manufacturers began to produce dollhouses in quantity in the 1800s. This made them available and affordable for many families.

Dollhouses are popular today and are still collected and enjoyed by people of all ages. They have proven to be a hobby and an income for many worldwide. You can buy them already built and furnished if you wish or you can buy a kit to build and furnish it yourself from stores and online. If you are able, you can build one you designed or from a plan you chose. You can find plans online for free or to purchase. This way, you can choose what materials your dollhouse will be built from and customize it any way you please. Building it yourself will be a satisfying adventure for you and the one you are building it for. If they are helping you build, it will be a memory that will last a lifetime.

There are as many sizes and styles of dollhouses as there are architecture designs and imaginations to design them. You can even build a virtual home with furnishings and have virtual people live in it. This option can be enjoyed by those who have little space, limited resourses, or who just prefer the computer world.