My Castle Heart Publications

Parents with young kids know: There will be stir-crazy days. And on those days, your child’s least favorite thing to play with will be all of their toys.

That’s exactly what led to this DIY dollhouse.

So, if your kid is clamoring for a dollhouse, but you don’t want to spend a lot of dough on something they’ll destroy or lose interest in next week, this idea is for you!

Already have a dollhouse? Perhaps you could use it for your dolls’ in-laws or extra rental income from your LEGO people…

What you’ll need:

• At least one box (I used two diaper boxes, which are nice and sturdy.)
• Scissors
• Duct tape
• Glue
• Wrapping paper (optional)
• Felt (optional)

What you’ll do:

• Cut the flaps off your box(es) for the open side.
• Use the cut flaps to partition off rooms (or even floors, like mine) and secure in place with duct tape.
• If you want to build with more than one box, secure together with duct tape.
• Cut out windows and a door.
• Cover inside and out with wrapping paper and glue (or self-stick contact paper).
• Cut out openings in the paper for your windows and door.
• Draw “hardwood” floors on the inside or glue down felt for carpet.

Tips:

• For outdoor spaces, sandpaper is a fun alternative for flooring.
• A small box makes a great pool. I put construction paper waves on the outside of mine and lined the inside with foil.
• LEGOs make easy, adaptable alternatives to doll furniture.
• The lid of a white jewelry box and a rolled piece of cardstock made an entertaining toilet (or at least entertaining for a toddler).
• A few strands of ribbon secured to the ceiling delights as a doll shower.
• If you have an older kid and a toddler, this could be a fun project to engage them both.

Now all you have to do is move in your dolls … or keep creating more until you have your own Monopoly-worthy empire.

Happy creating!

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