Quite the title, eh? I was given a chance to review this dollhouse and was blown away. It exceeded my expectation for a dollhouse by leaps and bounds. First off, look at this thing:
Let me just highlight some of the things I love:
- The dollhouse is 2 sided so both my girls can play at the same time without fighting over one room (although that doesn’t guarantee they will of course)
- But it easily folds down to a more compact dollhouse for easy storage
- BATTERIES INCLUDED!!
- Has over 400 activities, songs, words and sounds
- Teaches children caring and sharing and allows you as a parent to reward your child when you see them demonstrate that behavior
Let me tell you about some of its really unique features that require elaboration. On the back of the dollhouse there is the “Good Deeds Garden.” This is a place for your child to place stickers she earns by doing things around the house that you “catch her doing.” Under some of the stickers there is a code which she can use on the Caring Corners website.
Caring Corners has created a companion website which has online games that further promotes responsibility, caring and sharing. It also has a parent section which gives you ideas to help promote the same things.
One of my favorite aspects of this dollhouse is that Learning Curve, the company who makes it, has partnered with Goodwill to allow children to fill the box it comes in with used toys and clothing, bring it to Goodwill and get another secret code for the online website. I can’t wait to do this with my girls after the holidays come and we need to clean out our unused toys.
My girls were so fun to watch engage with this dollhouse, especially Hannah. I watched her lovingly care for the baby, move the dog from room to room, and really listen to Mrs. Goodbee and her advice. When the baby cried, she suggests that you get her a glass of milk from the fridge. Hannah immediately found the fridge and was so excited when opening it results in Mrs. Goodbee praising her for helping the baby. Hannah is a little mommy by nature and this dollhouse delighted her. I have truly rarely seen a toy keep her interest for so long.
Lily loved the dollhouse too, but really loved the website and the idea of unlocking codes to explore new areas on the site. The dollhouse comes with one code already and each accessory kits also includes one. She also loved discovering all the things the dollhouse can do. It takes quite a while to discover the many things this dollhouse says and does. It is pretty hard for the girls to get bored with Mrs. Goodbee.
I am a big fan. And to show you how much, I immediately ditched the famed Dora dollhouse and replaced it with this baby. I love that it reinforces our values and really engages my girls. If you are looking for some Christmas ideas, I would highly recommend this toy. Here is a link to where to find it in stores.
What do you love? Inquiring minds want to know. The rules, then the links. Link up baby!!
Debbie
says:
With four kids I the house, I rarely wanted any toy or item that talked or made noise. But, this does look cute! I had fun participating last week and decided to jump back in again.
Debbies last blog post..Yippee- I love something else!
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Candace (Mama Mia)
says:
That is so cute! I’m trying to figure out who would buy that for our girls for Christmas
.
Candace (Mama Mia)s last blog post..Awesome video
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Sarah @ Short Stop
says:
A dollhouse! Totally forgot what one of those was. Up to my ears in rubber snakes and trucks and matchbox cars.
Sarah @ Short Stops last blog post..What’s The Deal With Secret Family Recipes?
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Ames
says:
That partnership with Goodwill is brilliant! What a cool toy.
Amess last blog post..things I love thursday: coolest cookbook ever
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Natalie
says:
what a great idea for it to be two sided! i love it!!!! will have to look into this one!
Natalies last blog post..Thursday Thirteen – 16th Edition
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Courtney
says:
If my dollhouse did all of this when I was little — I might have actually played with it!
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Jenny from Mommin' It Up!
says:
you’re welcome!
no seriously this looks AWESOME! or as Sophie would say, “Awe-shum”! Girl’s got a birthday coming up, I need to take a closer look at this!
Jenny from Mommin’ It Up!s last blog post..WFMW: Perspective
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Christa
says:
This looks totally cool. I love how interactive it is for the kids, and parents because we need to be watching them or playing with them to “catch” them in the act of being kind.
Christas last blog post..Things I Love Thursday-our CSA share
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Becky
says:
I’m late to the party today! Wow, I have never seen a dollhouse with that level of interactivity. Fun! Thanks for the X-mas idea!
Beckys last blog post..Does This Header Make My Butt Look Fat?
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
faith
says:
I played today…my first time. =)
That dollhouse is cool…I’ll have to check it out. She’s got the barbie dream house (the style that was around in my parents generation) taking up all her floor space now, and I don’t know if she’d want to give that up, but for a TALKING one….LOL.
faiths last blog post..Things I Love Thursday: Salad Shooter
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Jen@BigBinder
says:
Oh, crap. I totally forgot it was Thursday. While I’m thinking about what I love, I will say this – that is a sweet doll house!! I love the thing with Goodwill especially.
Jen@BigBinders last blog post..Colorfall
[Reply]
October 16th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Amber Douma
says:
I sent my mom the link and she already ordered it for my daughters 3rd b-day in November. Gotta love Grandma’s!
Amber Doumas last blog post..I have a 5 year old!!
[Reply]
October 17th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Jacquelyn@Because I Said So!
says:
WOW! That is definitely a dollhouse with a mission! I’ll bet if you figured out the hours of play and the benefits to their self-esteem, this dollhouse would be worth ten times the price! It reminds me of the wood dollhouse kit i purchased for my daughter when she was eight…it’s still unbuilt in the box in the basement…she’s 17 now…I see a project for her 18th birthday!
I love your blog!
Jacquelyn@Because I Said So!s last blog post..Things I Love Thursday: party invitations
[Reply]
October 17th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Jen
says:
With 4 little girls in the house, ages 5 to newborn, this was the best toy investment we have EVER made. Even our 5 year old who isn’t really into dolls loves playing with this! The accessories are kind of expensive but still worth it. We’re off to buy the camper that goes with the dollhouse right now to keep the 2 and 3 year old occupied while I clean the house!!
[Reply]
October 28th, 2009 at 11:01 am