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Dolls are wonderful for dramatic play, teaching emotions, and fostering nurturing and empathetic qualities in children and with the awesome variety of dolls out there made with boys in mind too, there’s no reason not to take advantage of all those benefits for all of our kids.
Plus, I have so many friends with little girls that are absolutely obsessed with dolls right now that I had to include this guide (they’re just too good of a resource not to take advantage of).
Of course, no doll gift guide worth it’s salt would be complete without a princess section (yes, Anna and Elsa do make an appearance or two) – so be sure to keep scrolling until you get to that section too!
Don’t forget – you can check out all 15 of our 2016 Gift Guides here!
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Top 15 Dolls & Accessories for Dramatic Play
#1 Melissa & Dough Brianna Doll $18.95 (9 months – 6 years)
There’s a lot to like about this basic yet very highly rated doll. At 12″, she’s a good size for hauling around. Her soft body allows for laying or sitting and her hard arms and legs easily wipe clean. She has lots of shiny hair to play with and her eyes open and close. Plus, her open mouth allows her to suck on either her thumb or pacifier. Last but not least, her price can’t be beat!
#2 Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Doll $24.13 (all ages)
The problem with a lot of soft dolls is that there isn’t a lot the child can do with them. I love that this one comes with removable clothes and diaper and has a pacifier that attaches via magnet – so smart! There are also tons of cute accessories available for Stella (we’re talking clothes, baby carriers, and even a potty).
#3 Mommy & Me My First Doll Stroller $19.99 (12 months – 5 years)
Around the time they start walking all kids, girls and boys, ABSOLUTELY LOVE pushing around toy strollers. When my daughter was a toddler, she liked her dolls, but wasn’t obsessed like some other little girls we knew. Yet she has always adored piling them into her stroller and taking them for a stroll around the house over, and over, and over again.
Recently, her stroller has been straight-up commandeered by her 18 month old brother who also can’t get enough of pushing it around all day. I promise you, if you a buy a toy stroller for your child, it will be one of the most-used toys you’ve ever purchased. Oh, and if you have a girl that does happen to be doll-obsessed, this 3-in-1 pram is a really fun and versatile option too!
#4 Hatchimals $59.99 (5 – 9 years)
These interactive, magical creatures that come (and eventually hatch out of) their own egg are The “It” Toy of the Year! Every elementary aged girl I know, including my kindergartener daughter, has one at the very top of her list and as of this writing in late October they are sold out everywhere.
The magic in this toy is how kids are encouraged to nurture it both to come out of it’s egg (tap and it will tap back) and once it’s in the world (Give your Hatchimal a name and raise it through 3 stages: from baby, to toddler, to kid). My suspicion is that this toy isn’t quite as cool once it hatches, but it does do a lot (walk, talk, dance, play games, and more) and though you can’t put it back in the egg, you can start it over as a baby whenever you want.
Hopefully, they will be back in stock by Christmas- you can pre-order on Amazon now and they won’t charge you until it actually ships.
#5 Barbie Careers Line of Dolls Starting at $12.97 (5 – 10 years)
I’ll admit it, I’m not a huge Barbie fan… but that doesn’t mean my daughter doesn’t love her. So when looking for Barbie dolls for her, I try to compromise by at least going for the lines that I see as having the most play value and setting the best example.
The careers line is one that fits the bill. Instead of putting the emphasis on clothes, it focuses on various occupations and sets up girls to focus on those things in their play.
Also, the props that come with some of the sets are pretty cool and you really can’t beat the price – perfect as a birthday party gift or for a deluxe stocking stuffer!
Especially notable options include:
- Barbie Careers Eye Doctor Playset $16.58
- Barbie Careers Game Developer $12.97
- Barbie Careers Farm Vet $23.99
#6 DC Super Hero Girls Collection starting at $11.99 (5 – 10 years)
Speaking of dolls that send the right message to our girls, I’m loving the new line of DC Super Hero Girls. Not only do they have a very fun look, they also send a great message of empowerment. I also really appreciate the articulating limbs so kids (both girls and boys!) can use them for acting out all sorts of super hero moves. You can buy the larger 12″ dolls individually or go in for the 6″ versions in a three pack or six pack.
#7 Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Love to Play Puppy $20.02 (9 months – 4 years)
In our house we call dolls “guys”, each of our child has at least one- and most of them are animals. We got this dog as a hand-me down from friends whose kids had outgrown him. The puppy’s a cuddly and engaging first friend and our 1 1/2 year old is quite taken with him.
He has two modes – learning and musical and identifies body parts, colors and sings lots of fun songs when various body parts are pushed. All three of our kids have loved him and we whole-heartedly agree with one reviewer who wrote, “For $20, he is very interactive and elaborate…. he counts, names body parts and colors, has funny sayings, and sings many songs (ENTIRE songs). He’s funnier, more educational (and cuter) than “Tickle-Me-Elmo”–minus the annoying voice.”
#8 Ty Beanie Boos starts at $5.99 (6 months – 10 years)
All three kids in my house (my 7 year old son, 5 year old girl, 18 month old son) COMPLETELY ADORE Beanie Boos. It started with my daughter getting her pink leopard on a trip and proceeding to sleep with her every night of her life thereafter. Then my baby boy kept trying to steal the leopard so I decided to see if he’d actually sleep with one of his own (all previous attempts to get him to keep a “lovie” with him in the crib had utterly failed).
Now has to have “Woof Woof” in the crib with him every night. Not to be left out, my oldest son has been asking for his very own beanie boo for his upcoming birthday for months. I really can’t think of a better endorsement for a toy than every kid in the house wanting one. The size and price make them ideal stocking stuffers too.
#9 Groovy Girls by Manhattan Toys starts at $15.87 (18 months – 9 years)
These dolls are, in a word, fun! Made by the highly-regarded, Manhattan toys, they come in all sorts of brightly colored variations of both boys and girls (think fairies, mermaids, lady-bug girls and a lot more). Like all the dolls on this list, their bodies look like kids, and they come with some really cool and highly-rated ride on toys like this horse (reviewers rave about the smart ways the dolls secure to their mounts) and fun accessories like this snazzy sleeping bag.
I asked one of my closest friends why her family loves these dolls so much and she told me, “Groovy girls are soft and cute/colorful and last forever. My parents friends’ daughter had them as a kid and now that she’s in college they still look brand new. They are great for creative play or snuggling.” Can’t ask for much better than that, especially at this great price point.
#10 Lottie Dolls starting at $19.95 (4 – 9 years)
With the growing popularity of these gift guides every year, I get a lot of toy companies contacting me to ask if they can send a toy to review. 99% of the time I decline. First of all, my toy philosophy for our house has always been high quality, low numbers. Secondly, these guides are meant to be toys that are proven winners – the stuff I’ve seen kids return to again and again… These Lottie Dolls were the exception- as soon as I received the email about them, I knew I wanted them in our home.
So I requested the Pirate Queen Lottie Doll to gift to my daughter for her 5th birthday. Can you tell just from that name what’s so great about these dolls?
1) They look like real girls – not way-too mature and beauty obsessed miniature women. 2) They have some truly kick-ass characters that go way beyond the boring fashionista limits of typical dolls. (I’m eyeing the superhero outfit as a stocking stuffer this year.)
3) They rate really high on my “playability” scale. The dolls are very portable, plus they stand up on their own (unlike some other dolls that rhyme with “Tarbie”), and they have lots of great interchangeable props and outfits. 4) Since her launch, Lottie has won 19 international awards, including 5 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Awards… And just in case you’re wondering, my daughter loves her Lottie doll as much as I do.
#11 Lots to Cuddle Baby Twins $20.99 (1 – 9 years)
Logic follows that if one baby to take care of is good, then twins is even better. And the facial expressions on these two are my favorite, so realistic! Very similar to the Melissa & Dough Brianna Doll, these twins have soft bodies that allow for laying or sitting and hard arms and legs that easily wipe clean.
Plus, there’s two of them! (Basically for the price of one.) These two are now on the top of my birthday gift list for the 1-year-old to 3-year-olds in my life.
#12 Disney Princess Little Kingdom Magiclip 7-Doll Gift Set $33.39 (3 – 10 years)
When my daughter decided she wanted some princesses to play with, I wanted to get her a group of them without spending a ton of money. What I really liked about this set was that she can put them all into a play bag or purse and easily tote them around, plus – bonus – the plastic dresses are interchangeable and easily removed with a pinching motion.
My daughter REALLY likes this set and it works perfectly with the inexpensive castle we got her to go along with it (these are also great with either the folding castle or the dollhouse featured below).
#13 Fur Real Friends Torch, My Blazin’ Dragon $59.o0 (3 – 8 years)
Another hot item in the tech toys genre this year is the newest Fur Real Friend(this sweet dog on a leash from the line is also a BIG hit with girls). Torch doesn’t hatch out of his own egg but he does breath fire – or at least flame colored mist- so pick you poison?! (Wondering how this works? One reviewer wrote, “The red misting he does is pretty impressive indeed. It’s a SUPERfine mist, combined with the red throat light, makes it look like fire and dragon smoke for sure.“)
Along with his signature party trick, Torch also makes a variety of cute little sounds when his nose is pet – chortling, gurgling, burbs, sneezes, purring sounds, meow like sounds, snoring – and turns his head and blinks his eyes. Parents also remark that he is markedly cuter than other robotic plush toys and this inspires nurturing type play in their kids. Also, because he doesn’t try to do 300 different things, he’s fairly low on the parent annoyance scale!
Hint: Make sure you buy C batteries as he doesn’t come with any.
#14 Designed by You Doll House with Furniture $82.09 (3+ years)
This doll house is great for the smaller dolls on this list (magiclip princess dolls and mooshka fairies) but it also comes with it’s own little people and serves as another great way for your kids to experiment with playing house. Whenever I make a big toy purchase for my kiddos, I obsess about it a bit. I research (a lot) to find the train table, play kitchen, etc. that’s not only going to hold up the best, but will also offer up the most beneficial play experience.
When my daughter indicated that she wanted a doll house for her birthday last year, my research led us to purchase this one and we’ve been really, really pleased with it. The rooms are easy to access and it came with a bizillion pieces of furniture that both my son and daughter use for lots of dramatic play. What I love most about it, though, is that instead of one permanent structure, the house is modular and can be reconfigured a bunch of different ways.
This really extends the kids’ engagement because it makes it both a great building toy and a great dramatic play toy. For that reason, I would recommend this for both boys and girls (if hubby gawfs at buying your boy something pink, just paint over those two walls with chalkboard paint to add to the fun).
#15 Disney Princess My Time Singing Elena of Avalor Doll $24.99 (4 – 10 years)
If you don’t know, Elena of Avalor is the “it” Disney princess of the moment. Any little girl would love to receive this beautiful singing doll and, as the gift giver, what’s not to love about a doll that promotes diversity and encourages a larger world view?
Special Note: This time of year prices can fluctuate quite dramatically. So if you see something a little outside of your price range, it might not be a bad idea to click over and check it out anyway – you may get lucky and catch a sale.
Ready for the big list? Here we go…
Dolls for Boys & Girls
With all of the options on the market today, it’s easier than ever to find dolls of one variety or another perfect for your little girl and your little boy. (Check out the grandparent dolls – they’re sure to please any kid.) Here are our favorite picks for a whole range of kids.
Groovy Girls by Manhattan Toys starts at $15.87 (18 months – 9 years)
These dolls are, in a word, fun! Made by the highly-regarded, Manhattan toys, they come in all sorts of brightly colored variations of both boys and girls (think fairies, mermaids, lady-bug girls and a lot more). Like all the dolls on this list, their bodies look like kids, and they come with some really cool and highly-rated ride on toys like this horse (reviewers rave about the smart ways the dolls secure to their mounts too).
I asked one of my closest friends why her family loves these dolls so much and she told me, “Groovy girls are soft and cute/colorful and last forever. My parents friends’ daughter had them as a kid and now that she’s in college they still look brand new. They are great for creative play or snuggling.” Can’t ask for much better than that, especially at this great price point.
Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Love to Play Puppy $20.02 (9 months – 4 years)
In our house we call dolls “guys”, each of our child has at least one- and most of them are animals. We got this dog as a hand-me down from friends whose kids had outgrown him. The puppy’s a cuddly and engaging first friend and our 1 1/2 year old is quite taken with him.
He has two modes – learning and musical and identifies body parts, colors and sings lots of fun songs when various body parts are pushed. All three of our kids have loved him and we whole-heartedly agree with one reviewer who wrote, “For $20, he is very interactive and elaborate…. he counts, names body parts and colors, has funny sayings, and sings many songs (ENTIRE songs). He’s funnier, more educational (and cuter) than “Tickle-Me-Elmo”–minus the annoying voice.”
Playskool Sesame Street Big Hugs Elmo $48.42 (18 months – 6 years)
Elmo has once again managed to land himself a coveted spot as one of the hottest toys around. Parents report that this dancing, singing, sleeping and hugging super-sized Elmo outshines his tickle-me predecessor. I especially like how he encourages imaginative play with scenarios revolving around astronauts, rabbits, frogs and horses and how his affirmative words and hugs will help kids build emotional intelligence as well.
Ty Beanie Boos starts at $5.99 (6 months – 10 years)
All three kids in my house (my 7 year old son, 5 year old girl, 18 month old son) COMPLETELY ADORE Beanie Boos. It started with my daughter getting her pink leopard on a trip and proceeding to sleep with her every night of her life thereafter.
Then my baby boy kept trying to steal the leopard so I decided to see if he’d actually sleep with one of his own (all previous attempts to get him to keep a “lovie” with him in the crib had utterly failed). No has to have “Woof Woof” in the crib with him every night. Not to be left out, my oldest son has been asking for his very own beanie boo for his upcoming birthday for months.
I really can’t think of a better endorsement for a toy than every kid in the house wanting one. The size and price make them ideal stocking stuffers too.
Blabla Dolls starting at $16.00 (all ages)
These hand-knit 100% cotton dolls are on the expensive side so we don’t collect them but we did splurge on one for our daughter for Christmas when she was 18 months old. Being the second child, she wasn’t really in need of anything because she already had all her brother’s old toys. We still wanted to get her something special though.
We considered getting an American Girl Doll but thought she was too young so we got her Prudence the Owl instead. She’s now one of S’s best friends and I have no doubt she’ll end up being a family heirloom. (Side note: there’s a great selection of characters well-suited to boys as well).
Fur Real Friends Torch, My Blazin’ Dragon $59.o0 (3 – 8 years)
Another hot item in the tech toys genre this year is the newest Fur Real Friend(this sweet dog on a leash from the line is also a BIG hit with girls). Torch doesn’t hatch out of his own egg but he does breath fire – or at least flame colored mist- so pick you poison?! (Wondering how this works? One reviewer wrote, “The red misting he does is pretty impressive indeed. It’s a SUPERfine mist, combined with the red throat light, makes it look like fire and dragon smoke for sure.“)
Along with his signature party trick, Torch also makes a variety of cute little sounds when his nose is pet – chortling, gurgling, burbs, sneezes, purring sounds, meow like sounds, snoring – and turns his head and blinks his eyes. Parents also remark that he is markedly cuter than other robotic plush toys and this inspires nurturing type play in their kids. Also, because he doesn’t try to do 300 different things, he’s fairly low on the parent annoyance scale!
Hint: Make sure you buy C batteries as he doesn’t come with any.
Melissa & Dough Brianna Doll $18.95 (18 months – 6 years)
There’s a lot to like about this basic yet very highly rated doll. At 12″, she’s a good size for hauling around. Her soft body allows for laying or sitting and her hard arms and legs easily wipe clean. She has lots of shiny hair to play with and her eyes open and close. Plus, her open mouth allows her to suck on either her thumb or pacifier. Last but not least, her price can’t be beat!
Lots to Cuddle Baby Twins $20.99 (1 – 9 years)
Logic follows that if one baby to take care of is good, then twins is even better. And the facial expressions on these two are my favorite, so realistic! Very similar to the Melissa & Dough Brianna Doll, these twins have soft bodies that allow for laying or sitting and hard arms and legs that easily wipe clean. Plus, there’s two of them! (Basically for the price of one.) These two are now on the top of my birthday gift list for the 1-year-old to 3-year-olds in my life.
Manhattan Toy Snuggle Pod $18.00 (all ages)
Looking for baby’s first doll? This ultra soft baby complete with her own snuggle pod is a great choice. Huggable and washable, it’s great for babies and toddlers alike.
Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Doll $24.13 (all ages)
The problem with a lot of soft dolls is that there isn’t a lot the child can do with them. I love that this one comes with removable clothes and diaper and has a pacifier that attaches via magnet – so smart! There are also tons of cute accessories available for Stella (we’re talking clothes, baby carriers, and even a potty).
Lottie Dolls starting at $19.95 (4 – 9 years)
With the growing popularity of these gift guides every year, I get a lot of toy companies contacting me to ask if they can send a toy to review. 99% of the time I decline. First of all, my toy philosophy for our house has always been high quality, low numbers. Secondly, these guides are meant to be toys that are proven winners – the stuff I’ve seen kids return to again and again… These Lottie Dolls were the exception- as soon as I received the email about them, I knew I wanted them in our home. So I requested the Pirate Queen Lottie Doll to gift to my daughter for her 5th birthday.
Can you tell just from that name what’s so great about these dolls?
1) They look like real girls – not way-too mature and beauty obsessed miniature women. 2) They have some truly kick-ass characters that go way beyond the boring fashionista limits of typical dolls. (I’m eyeing the superhero outfit as a stocking stuffer this year.)
3) They rate really high on my “playability” scale. The dolls are very portable, plus they stand up on their own (unlike some other dolls that rhyme with “Tarbie”), and they have lots of great interchangeable props and outfits. 4) Since her launch, Lottie has won 19 international awards, including 5 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Awards… And just in case you’re wondering, my daughter loves her Lottie doll as much as I do.
Disney Princess My Time Singing Elena of Avalor Doll $24.99 (4 – 10 years)
If you don’t know, Elena of Avalor is the “it” Disney princess of the moment. Any little girl would love to receive this beautiful singing doll and, as the gift giver, what’s not to love about a doll that promotes diversity and encourages a larger world view?
Ugly Dolls starting at $7.30 (all ages)
If you’re looking for a great gender neutral doll, how rad are ugly dolls? I just love their colorful look and silly, irreverent nature. Judging by their popularity, kids do too! Despite not being the typical cute doll, these guys have proven they’re still perfect for cuddles.
Rosa Grandma Doll & Pancho Grandfather Doll $39.95 (2+ years)
A lot of my kids’ imaginary play right now centers around family structure – they often pretend to be the mom and dad and all of my daughter’s dolls are part of an elaborate family tree (“Pink Bear” is “Bunny”‘s Grandma, “Bearie” is “Bunny”‘s daughter, and etc.). So I think they would both love a set of grandparent dolls to add to their play, especially these guys who will sing songs in both english and spanish at the push of a button.
Corolle Emma Drink-and-Wet Bath Baby Doll $46.98 (2 – 6 years)
A few Christmases ago our daughter was 2 and getting more and more into baby dolls. She was also getting more and more into the idea of potty training (do you hear the angels singing?). So I figured, why not combine the two? A little research revealed several dolls that actually “pee” after drinking water but reviews, and reports from my friends, suggested that this one was the best.
Santa left her under the tree and S was thrilled. I really liked that the doll doubled as a bath toy. S had been dying to take one of her babies in the tub with her but didn’t have one that would work for that purpose.
My Baby Alive $44.88 (3 – 6 years)
Looking to really wow your daughter this year? This doll is the ultimate in virtual baby care. She comes with more than 30 different phrases to let you know if she’s happy, sleepy, or ready for a snack. Her eyes close when you put her to sleep and open when she wakes up.
She even eats actual food your child prepares and really needs to be changed later on. Your little one will be truly amazed. Word to the wise though – reviewers report that this one can take some effort on the parent’s part to play with.
Disney Doc McStuffins Time for Your Checkup Interactive Talking Doll + Lambie Plush Doll $50.92 (3 – 6 years)
Doc McStuffins has taken the world by storm since debuting in 2012 and, I have to say, I don’t mind getting behind a character that promotes healthy habits and serves as a great role models for girls. This doll is a best seller not only because of the character, but also because of the cool stuff she does including talking, singing the “time for Your Check-Up” song, and even making Lambie talk when she checks her heart, ears, and temperature. This would be a great pick for any child who has doctor-visit anxiety too.
The Adventures of Shen the Panda $49.99 (2 – 6 years)
We had the pleasure of reviewing Shen a couple years ago (you can read my full review here). He belongs to our oldest son and I’m now thinking of getting his female counterpart, Zylie, for our daughter. Not just your run-of-the-mill teddy bears, these guy are a brand new mixed breed: part stuffed animal and part dress-up doll.
Created by a mom whose kids were becoming frustrated in their attempts to find suitable dress-up clothes for their teddy bears, Shen and Zylie are an award winning duo that come with an array of cool accessories (including a passport and a book about their adventures).
They’re soft and cozy like most stuffed animals but their hands, feet, and lower torso are filled with a bean bag material so it’s easy to slip them in and out of their large array of dress up options.
North American Bear Company “Girls on The Move” Gymnast Tan Finger Puppet $11.99 (3 – 9 years)
These award-winning 7″ velour dolls are part doll and part puppet and they come in all kinds of characters girls will love. The legs serve as spots to slip in your fingers so that you can make these dolls twist, twirl, jump and do the splits. My favorite options are the gymnast and ballerina. I love these as stocking stuffers.
Hasbro Furby $52.99 (5+ years)
Dolls don’t have to be just for toddlers. Older kids flip over this tech-based friend. Feed it, speak to it, tickle it, play music for it, and shake, tilt or turn your FURBY upside down. But be warned – how you treat your FURBY will shape its personality.
Accessories for Playing House
Once you’ve found a doll your child will love, it’s time to explore the vast array of incredibly realistic accessories available.
Hape Doll House Family Pets $13.49 (non-mouthing – 9 years)
One of the things I’ve noticed in my kids’ dramatic play with dolls (my daughter’s and her friends’ especially), is that she loves adding in animals. This is one reason she likes her Mooshka Fairy dolls so much.
So I just know she’s going to LOVE this simple set that not only comes with three pets for her doll house figurines, but also houses, food dishes and food for each. I can’t wait to slip this one in her stocking this year.
Mommy & Me My First Doll Stroller $19.99 (12 months – 5 years)
Around the time they start walking all kids, girls and boys, ABSOLUTELY LOVE pushing around toy strollers. When my daughter was a toddler, she liked her dolls, but wasn’t obsessed like some other little girls we knew. Yet she has always adored piling them into her stroller and taking them for a stroll around the house over, and over, and over again.
Recently, her stroller has been straight-up commandeered by her 18 month old brother who also can’t get enough of pushing it around all day. I promise you, if you a buy a toy stroller for your child, it will be one of the most-used toys you’ve ever purchased. Oh, and if you have a girl that does happen to be doll-obsessed, this 3-in-1 pram is a really fun and versatile option too!
Little Tikes Cozy Shopping Cart $31.99 (2 – 5 years)
Another option, I absolutely love because it’s like 3 toys in 1, is this shopping cart/cozi coupe. Kids not only get to push their dolls around, but also fill up a shopping cart and get in and drive away. So many awesome play possibilities at such a great price!
ERGObaby Original Doll Carrier $24.00
With baby wearing being so popular these days, this is the perfect gift for any big sister or brother who’s witnessed mommy wearing their own younger sibling. There are tons of options, including miniature Beco, Moby Wraps, and slings so your child can get suited up just like mommy.
Corolle Mon Premier My First Accessories Set $34.99
This is a really nice all-in-one set. I like that it covers all your basics from feeding to the potty and includes some fancy extras like the bottle warmer. Best of all, there’s a handy bag to store it all in.
Badger Doll Highchair with Plate, Bib and Spoon in White or Pink $19.18
This is a simple, basic highchair for your child’s doll that’s received great reviews and is relatively inexpensive. What more could you ask for?
Badger Basket Quad Deluxe Doll Stroller $48.62
At first glance, I thought this was over the top. But then a good friend told me how much her two girls love their double doll stroller, so I thought “if two’s good, maybe four’s really good”. And then I thought about how our duaghter, S, stuffs no less than 6 baby dolls in her stroller at a time most days, and I realized this might actually be brilliant – if you have the space. (Plus it’s really not that much more than a quality single doll stroller.)
Joovy Doll Booster Seat $29.99
Some things you just buy because you can’t get over how adorable they are. The photo of a doll loaded up in this in the backseat of a car was just too cute. I know S would absolutely love it!
Melissa & Doug Doll Play Sets $13 – $15
If the Corolle all-in-one set (featured later in this list) is just too many pieces for you, Melissa & Doug also offers a very nice feeding set or changing set that includes a diaper bag at really great price points.
Lil’ Doll Cradle $26.99
This is another basic staple that any doll lover will enjoy. Getting to put baby down for a rest is a nice way to extend the dramatic play (and we find the cradle works well for storing S’s doll collection when not in use).
Doll Bicycle Seat $16.95
Being able to strap her baby in and take her for a bike ride will make your daughter the envy of the neighborhood. Such fun.
Joovy Doll Car Seat $49.99
This is pretty darn cool. This doll carseat carrier works just like the real thing. The base stays in the car and the carseat latches in and out of it. If you want to get really fancy, there’s even a tandem stroller for it to snap into as well.
Green Toys Tea Set $19.59 (2 – 9 years)
Whether playing with mommy or a favorite doll, tea time is always a fun way to pass some time. We’ve had this set for over a year and it still looks like new (despite lots of use in the playroom, bathtub and even sand box). Plus I love that Green Toys are 100% recycled, made from milk jugs, are FDA approved to eat and drink from, and do not contain BPA, phthalates, or lead paint.
Designed by You Doll House with Furniture $82.09 (3+ years)
This doll house is great for the smaller dolls on this list (magiclip princess dolls and mooshka fairies) but it also comes with it’s own little people and serves as another great way for your kids to experiment with playing house. Whenever I make a big toy purchase for my kiddos, I obsess about it a bit. I research (a lot) to find the train table, play kitchen, etc. that’s not only going to hold up the best, but will also offer up the most beneficial play experience.
When my daughter indicated that she wanted a doll house for her birthday last year, my research led us to purchase this one and we’ve been really, really pleased with it. The rooms are easy to access and it came with a bizillion pieces of furniture that both my son and daughter use for lots of dramatic play. What I love most about it, though, is that instead of one permanent structure, the house is modular and can be reconfigured a bunch of different ways.
This really extends the kids’ engagement because it makes it both a great building toy and a great dramatic play toy. For that reason, I would recommend this for both boys and girls (if hubby gawfs at buying your boy something pink, just paint over those two walls with chalkboard paint to add to the fun).*Post contains affiliate links.
Dolls & Castles for Princess (and Fairy) Lovers
Thanks in no small part to the movie Frozen, when my daughter was 4 years old she officially got into princesses – which led to quite a bit of research on princess dolls and castles for her birthday. Consequently, we now have an entire section on princess (and yes – Anna, Elsa, and Olaf make a few appearances), enjoy!
Disney Princess Toddler Dolls Starting at $17.99 (18 months – 6 years)
These super popular and cozy dolls are the perfect size for a child to drag around all day long. And, again, the price is really good! If you’ve got a little one that just wants an Elsa, Anna, Mulan, Belle, ect. to call her own and cuddle with at night – this is a great choice!
Disney Princess Little Kingdom Magiclip 7-Doll Gift Set $33.39 (3 – 10 years)
When my daughter decided she wanted some princesses to play with, I wanted to get her a group of them without spending a ton of money. What I really liked about this set was that she can put them all into a play bag or purse and easily tote them around, plus – bonus – the plastic dresses are interchangeable and easily removed with a pinching motion. My daughter REALLY likes this set and it works perfectly with the inexpensive castle we got her to go along with it.
Mooshka Fairytale Fairies starts at $6.49 (non-mouthing kids and up)
Last summer my daughter and I slowly worked on putting together a small fairy garden in our back yard. So, naturally, when her summer birthday got close, I started hunting for some small but durable fairies that could be used to play in it outside.
It took a little searching, but these Mooshka fairy dolls absolutely fit the bill. They are the perfect petite size and nice and washable. My daughter also absolutely loved how each one came with a little furry friend (I loved the great price). I’ve also heard good things about the larger, and more cuddly, Sing Around the Rosie (which sings) and Goodnight Starlight Doll (which sings and lights up).
Barbie Careers Line of Dolls Starting at $12.97 (5 – 10 years)
I’ll admit it, I’m not a huge Barbie fan… but that doesn’t mean my daughter doesn’t love her. So when looking for Barbie dolls for her, I try to compromise by at least going for the lines that I see as having the most play value and setting the best example.
The careers line is one that fits the bill. Instead of putting the emphasis on clothes, it focuses on various occupations and sets up girls to focus on those things in their play.
Also, the props that come with some of the sets are pretty cool and you really can’t beat the price – perfect as a birthday party gift or for a deluxe stocking stuffer!
Especially notable options include:
- Barbie Careers Eye Doctor Playset $16.58
- Barbie Careers Game Developer $12.97
- Barbie Careers Farm Vet $23.99
DC Super Hero Girls Collection starting at $11.99 (5 – 10 years)
Speaking of dolls that send the right message to our girls, I’m loving the new line of DC Super Hero Girls. Not only do they have a very fun look, they also send a great message of empowerment. I also really appreciate the articulating limbs so kids (both girls and boys!) can use them for acting out all sorts of super hero moves. You can buy the larger 12″ dolls individually or go in for the 6″ versions in a three pack or six pack.
Disney Frozen Color Change Elsa Doll $24.99 (2 – 10 years) and Disney Frozen Anna & Kristoff Dolls 2 Pack $24.24 (3 – 10 years)
Given the insane popularity of the Frozen movie, it’s surprisingly hard to find good quality Frozen character dolls. These all get high marks for their quality and large Barbie-like size. The two pack is an especially good deal and kids will love Elsa’s “magic” dress which has a pattern that appears when it gets wet. And don’t forget the Disney Frozen Olaf Doll $14.99 (3 – 10 years).
This guy is the perfect companion for the Frozen dolls mentioned above. He too is a good size, plus he comes apart and can be put back together again (just like the real Olaf) and his facial expressions change when you push down on his head. A great little toy for both boys and girls and a reasonable price – this guy will likely end up in one of my kids’ stockings this year.
Barbie Mariposa and The Fairy Princess Castle Playset with Mini-Dolls $21.51 (3 – 10 years)
No one was more surprised than me when I found myself putting this plastic Barbie castle in my Amazon cart but I just couldn’t stomach spending $60 – $100 on a wooden castle that I would prefer when I knew what my daughter really wanted was something that was purple and pink and sparkly. (Plus, I wasn’t totally convinced how much she’d play with a castle and those wood versions have a BIG footprint – I really liked the compact size of this one.)
So, after a lot of research, I ordered this one and crossed my fingers that it wouldn’t be a piece of junk that fell apart in a few weeks. Thankfully, my daughter loves it, it’s the perfect size for the 4″ magiclip princess dolls we got her and it’s held up remarkably well. Plus it came with two additional fairy dolls that actually “fly” around the top.
Disney Frozen Glitter Glider Anna, Elsa and Olaf Doll Set $23.80 (3 – 10 years)
Now that we have the Disney princess dolls and the Barbie Mariposa castle above, we’ll be adding this set of 4″ Anna and Elsa dolls to our daughter’s collection for Christmas. Not only do the dolls in this set have removable, glittery dresses, they also “glide” around on new rolling mechanism. Plus, I love that an Olaf figurine comes with the duo.
There are also Glitter Glider dolls available in other Disney princess as well as a Disney Princess Glitter Glider Castle $35.00 (3 – 10 years). This wasn’t available when I first did my searching and were I to do it again I think I’d be just as likely to buy this one although the Barbie Fairy Princess Castle still has a slight edge with the room it allows for dramatic play (and accompanying props).
LEGO Disney Princess 41055 Cinderella’s Romantic Castle $59.97 (6 – 12 years)
As is attested to by the LEGO section of our “Best Building & Construction Toys” gift guide, we are a LEGO loving family (we even have an entire LEGO station in our house). So it’s no surprise that one of the few princess castles I recommend would be a LEGO castle.
When fully assembled, this is a thing of beauty and it comes with a lot of nice accessories. Plus, it’s a castle that promotes both imaginative open-ended play and spatial reasoning skill through building – win, win!
Melissa & Doug Folding Princess Castle $63.16 (3 – 10 years)
Had my daughter been a die-hard princess fan instead of a brand new one (and I knew she’d spend a lot of time playing with a princess castle), then this is undoubtedly the one I would have picked. I’m a fan of Melissa & Doug toys in general and I love that this play castle has lots of accessible reach-in play space thanks to multiple play levels and an open courtyard.
The impressive palace playscape also includes removable turrets, bedrooms, a working drawbridge, a stable, and more. Plus the wooden construction and hand-painted accents are wonderful and I like the fact that it expands large enough for several kids to play on at once but also folds into a smaller size when not in use.
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Still want more ideas? Don’t forget to check out all 15 of the MPMK Gift Guides,organized by your child’s age:
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The Best Toys for Babies
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The Very Best Toys for Two-Year-Olds
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Go-To Gifts for Preschoolers
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The Most Exciting Gifts You Can Give a Kindergartner
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Go-To Gifts for Elementary Aged Kids
For the hottest toys of the year see:
Plus, the rest of our guides organized by interest:
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Best Toys for Fostering S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineerin, and Math) Skills
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Best Toys for Staying Active Inside and for Getting Outdoors
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Best Toys for Art & Craft Lovers
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Best Kid Games for Family Game Night, Playing with Siblings, or Playing Alone
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Best Learning Toys for Quiet Time & Independent Play
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Best Building & Construction Toys (Including Best LEGOs)
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Best Dramatic Play Toys
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Best Toys for Vehicle Lovers
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Best Toys for Doll & Princess Lovers
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Best Toys for Baby
Tens of thousands of parents use these lists every Christmas to find the perfect gift!
If you like these recommendations, I encourage you to pin or bookmark them for later when you’re ready to start shopping.
I would also love it if you forwarded the list to your parenting friends or shared it on facebook – trust me, your friends will thank you for the help and you get to be the cool mom (or dad) with all the best resources. It’s a win-win.
Also, don’t forget for even more recommendations and alerts when we spot our gift guide items on sale: