Christmas gift for a 9-year-old: a project the child runs themselves
Nine is the top of what we recommend Crateit for (ages 5-9), and it helps if the gift lets the child decide. Our blog describes how the older children often build bigger towns, make their own rules and spend more time on the colouring. That is why a set without a ready-made story suits a 9-year-old well.
Everything comes in uncoloured wood, and the parts click together without glue or tools. The child is the designer: how should the town be laid out, who lives in the house and what colours should the rooms be?
Couch & Crayons
The Bubble NestFurnish the rooms in Roomies
Crateit Roomies are wooden dollhouses with two rooms across two floors, furniture and a figure in the box. Couch & Crayons has a living room and a playroom, 145 pieces, and is 52 cm tall. The Bubble Nest has a bathroom and a bedroom with 78 pieces. The Cloud Office has an office and a balcony and 94 pieces.
You can start with one house and add another. The Roomies figures are called Camilla, Thomas, Max and Emma. That is plenty of roles for a whole story. Read what furniture comes with the houses and how to choose the right dollhouse.
Design the town yourself
Roomies can be combined with Crateit Town, so the dollhouse stands in a whole town. Let the child draw the map first and then put roads and buildings together. Rule the Roundabout, Dreamy Drawbridge and City Park Zone are big sets for the town planner, and the Adventure Track Extension has four road connectors, so the roads can grow. See also wooden toy town.
Markers finish the design
This is where Crateit markers really come into play. The markers come with 3 mm for large surfaces and 1 mm for details, and they go on layer by layer, so a room can get new colours when the child changes style. See how to colour wooden toys with markers.
For a room that is the child's own
If the child has siblings, each child can furnish their own house and let the houses stand side by side. Our blog about kids' room ideas has ideas for making the room a place for play.
How to choose
- The child who loves furnishing: Couch & Crayons or The Bubble Nest.
- The child who wants to be a town planner: the roundabout, the bridge and the car park.
- Both: a Roomies house and a couple of sets from Crateit Town, which can be combined.
- Always in the parcel: a set of markers.
See all of Crateit Roomies and Crateit Town, or find more ideas in the Christmas gift guide and on the page about screen-free toys. For a younger child: gifts for a 6-year-old or gifts for a 5-year-old. From grandparents: gifts for grandchildren.
Frequently asked questions
Is 9 too old for Crateit?
Crateit Town and Crateit Roomies are recommended for ages 5-9, so 9 is the top of the recommended range. Our blog describes how the older children often build bigger towns, make their own rules and spend more time on the colouring.
Can Town and Roomies be used together?
Yes. Roomies can be combined with Crateit Town, so the dollhouse becomes part of a whole town.
Do we need markers?
Yes, the sets come in uncoloured wood. Crateit markers go on layer by layer, so you can colour over them again when the play changes.
When should we order before Christmas?
We ship from our own warehouse in Odense with GLS, and delivery takes 1-3 working days. For delivery in Denmark before Christmas, order by Thursday 17 December.
Can we return the gift?
Yes, there is a 14-day right of return.
