readsteca's Full Review: Mattel Barbie 3 Story Dream House Playset
My daughter has lots of play sets, the pony castles, polly pocket sets and all, but this was/is her first Barbie house.
We spent a lot of time this year looking for toys that hadn't been recalled with the lead paint and color issues from China in a lot of toys. We had to discard a lot of playsets and toys for both kids and wanted to replace them with some nice toys that we hope last for a long time.
The Barbie Dreamhouse has accomplished much of that. While I didn't encounter the issues putting the playhouse together that other reviewers have had, I will agree it wasn't easy. Some of the pieces don't line up perfectly, and the house is designed so when it's open the floors help hold the swing out sections in place - they don't really "snap" together so the functions are somewhat limited. From a Father's point of view, the house was relativly easy to put together, less parts than a lego system, more parts than just a Barbie car, but only really about 40 things that had to be done. I think it only took about an hour for me to assemble on Christmas eve. The trip up the stairs from the basement proved detrimental and frustrating. My wife spent almost as much time putting the furniture back into the house once we got it in front of the Tree.
The house has lots of sounds, the washing machines spins, the cooktop sizzles, the media center plays music, the toilet flushes, and the door bell works. Makes for a lot of fun - yes I even enjoyed playing the sounds while putting it together - technology has come so far since I was kid when you had to actually wire the lights to work rather than just building it into the walls during the manufactureing process.
The toy is durable, and seems to be holding up well to play from my 6 year old daughter and 4 year old son (we had to buy a ken doll so he could play the prince.)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 125.00 Type of Toy: Action Figure
Age Range of Child: 6 to 8 Years
The entire 3-story Dream House® is over 3 feet tall and fully furnished Realistic sounds like a stove that sizzles, doorbell, even a flushing toile...More at Amazon Marketplace
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