Ancient Egyptian graves found the oldest known miniature houses furnished with accessories. These wooden miniatures made almost 5,000 years ago served a religious purpose.

Doll playsets remain popular among children and many adults in this tech-savvy age where endless new gadgets and toys are made every day. They can range from easy cardboard boxes piled one above the other to miniature houses displayed in museums.

There is something about miniature houses that entices us with their extensive furnishings and accessories. It is the perfect toy to pretend play, as it stimulates the child's imagination and enables him/her to create a picture-perfect dream world.

With so many types of dollhouses on the market, from traditional wooden dollhouses to modern playsets, it is unclear to choose the right one for your child. Following are the things to consider when selecting a dollhouse for your child.

•Suitable material: The dollhouses are either made from plastic, wood, or cardboard. Traditional wooden dollhouses are mostly made of 9 mm thick MDF board or plywood and are quite popular. These dollhouses remain a favourite among kids and miniature collectors because of their robustness and durability. Besides, they can turn into a beautiful family heirloom that gets passed on to the next generation.

Modern plastic dollhouses, alongside wooden dollhouses, still find popularity among children as they are available in bright and colourful designs. They are even cheaper than dollhouses made in wood. The hard plastic is tough, easy to clean, and beautiful features can get easily moulded. You can buy a variety of accessories and furniture at lower prices for these dollhouses, too.

•Size: Larger dollhouses, also known as play scale dollhouses, is designed to accommodate dolls like Barbies in play. These are usually made of plastic, but you can find some large wooden ones that can accommodate your existing dolls too. These large dreamhouses are very useful when there is a group of two or more kids at play, and they can also store the toys for the child.

•Right style: You need to check the dollhouses' type and techniques on the market when buying a wooden dollhouse. Generally, dollhouses get modelled after common architectural periods. These include Georgia, Tudor, Victorian, Antique, and Edwardian. There are, of course, modern houses, too.

•Accessories: Its accessories are also essential, as is the dollhouse. Those include numerous room furniture, including miniature sofa sets, dining tables, chairs, and even small nursery bassinets. Decor items such as mirrors, wall decorations, tiny plants, and miniature rugs give a personal touch to the dollhouse.

Kitchen applications such as ovens and refrigerators, outdoor features such as swimming pools and swing sets, and vehicles can be purchased to complete the dollhouse's look. Also, you can make sure the accessories get either included or readily available.

•Clothing: It is crucial that the playset also comes with doll clothing. It brings down the stress of buying matching outfits. Some of the doll sets include accessories, clothes, and doll shoes.