Some of our favorite dolls: 2025
Having a baby doll helps children make sense of the world around them. For a toddler heading off to daycare or drifting to sleep, a doll can be a comforting link between home and the unknown. Through pretend play, preschoolers get to take charge—trying out roles, feelings, and words they might not yet express in real life. Dolls and teddy bears say whatever your child wants them to say—and they’re always patient listeners. You may even hear your own words echoed back as your child steps into the “parent” role during play.
Safety is the first concern, though. A doll that is cute, but age inapporiate, can be dangerous, even a fatal attraction. Watch out for pieces that can be swallowed. Keep in mind that the thread that holds button-eyes in place, for example, can be chewed through by baby. A doll that is too large for a young one's small muscles to manipulate is just frustrating. A doll made of hard plastic may hurt baby. So, start with smaller, soft dolls with stitched features, and then, as your child ages up, so too will the complexity of the dolls you bring home.
Dolls for babies
Cuddle + Kind has expanded its Baby Animal collection (from $37 each) this year, and it’s nearly impossible to choose a favorite among these adorable 7" hand-knit dolls. They’re on the pricey side—but truly special keepsakes. This season, if you buy three, they come packaged in a charming gingerbread gift box at no extra cost. The pre-selected trio in the Newborn Collector's Kit comes at a welcome discount ($110).
Dolls for Toddlers
Manhattan Toy Wee Baby Stella Sleepy Time Scents Soft Doll Set, 12",Peach ($36.99) and Manhattan Toy Brightfuls Jayde Dragon 11" Stuffed Animal Plush Toy ($30). Your toddler's first huggables should be soft and safe. Dolls for this age group should have stiched features so that baby can't swallow them with awful results.
Hokey Pokey Elmo ($31.49) My mom helped start the Tickle Me Elmo craze when she debuted the doll on the Today Show more than 25 years ago. The latest animetronic Elmo does the Hokey Pokey, enccouraging kids to get up and dance with him (in Spanish and English).
FurReal Coco the Tumbling Panda
Baby Dolls and Accessories for Preschoolers
Corolle Drink and Wet Bath Baby Paul ($62.07) You don't have to be a girl to like playing with dolls, and not all dolls are girl-dolls. One of my most beloved toys was my Tiny Tears baby doll. This doll reminds me of Tiny. His eyes open when he sits up, and close when you lie him down for a nap. But there is one major difference; this doll is anatomically correct. Safe for a play bath, it comes with a pacifier and bottle and potty where it can pee when you press his belly.
A girl version, shown below, of this set known as Baby Emma is also recommended.
Herotron Toy Stroller ($ 90) There are a lot of toy strollers on the market, but this one stands above the rest for its construction and feature set. It is also refreshing to see that it is specifically marketed to be a toy for girls and boys. After all, many young boys will end up being dads one day, and should know the responsibilities (and fun) of child-rearing aren't just for females. As an aside, how great is it that this toy comes pre-assembled? This means that when the presents are opened, the playing can begin, not the construction.
Dolls for older children
Corolle Poupée Cleopée and Corolle Poupée Maëlys ($90)
Corolle’s new Poupée collection includes a blonde, a redhead, brunette and African American dolls. A bit of a splurge—but destined to become a favorite companion, these deluxe dolls are so cute.
Cleopée is a beautifully styled 14" doll with a navy tulle skirt sprinkled with silver metallic polka dots. She wears a cozy sweater featuring a heart design in a delicate floral print that’s echoed in her matching headband. Maëlys, also a 14" doll, is sure to charm young fans. She’s dressed in a layered chambray skirt and a soft pink hoodie with a unicorn design, complete with a matching headband and shiny silver sneakers.
American Girl Doll Julie Albright ($135) American Girl Dolls have traditionally featured historically dressed dolls from America's past. Imagine my shock to see that the latest doll looks like the teens of my youth. I guess I'm an antique, too. Like her sister dolls, she comes with authentic accessories and clothing and a book that helps set her in context. A warning though: This doll could be a gateway drug to a life-long habit of expensive accessories and doll clothes. Another word of caution: Some dolls in the AG line are much more expensive than the others. Should you visit the store or look on-line with your youngster, be sure to set expectations first or you may have tears.
Dolls based on Wicked
You are probably aware that the big Thankgiving movie this year is the second installment of Wicked, much as the first part was last year. There are a lot of Wicked-themed toys this fall. There is almost no limite to how much you can pay for a Wicked doll. The high water mark is the fantabulous and fantastically expensive American Girl Doll versions of the witches, from $295 if you could find them - but they are sold-out. On Ebay they are going for prices that defy gravity; you could say that the price of $595, each, is truly Wicked.
If your child is obsessed with Elphaba and Glinda, consider instead the eminently reasonably priced Mattel branded versions of the characters. (Mattel actually owns American Girl Dolls, so both are, at least in a sense, Mattel dolls.) Elphaba and Glinda each retail for under $45, and we found them on Amazon for less than $30 each. They each betray a heritage to the Barbie size and style of dolls. An accessory pack is also available but each doll comes appropriately attired and with the accessories they are most identified with: Glinda has her magic wand, Elphaba has her broomstick and magic book. And, magically, you can even give both and still have hundreds of dollars more in your bank account than if you had purchased the American Girl versions on Ebay.
