It's certainly not hard to come by toys and clothing that's personalized with your child's name, but a doll that looks just like your little one takes customization to a new level entirely. Dolls and toys that look like your tot are sure to make playtime more fun. Check out these sweet dolls, playthings, and even a piece of wall art that mimic your mini me — to a tee!
Every little girl needs a special doll — or two or three — but why go with those ubiquitous, and somewhat creepy, lifelike dolls? We found 10 awesome, modern rag and crochet dolls that are as stylish as they are sweet. We tracked a few of them down at The Land of Nod, which now stocks some of the most creative, contemporary toys around, and threw in some indie dolls from Etsy and one from favorite kid-brand Blabla. It's hard to pick a favorite among this cool doll group, but give it a go!
I haven't exactly hit the toy craze stage yet, so I'll admit that I hadn't even heard of Lalaloopsy dolls when Miranda of Whimsical Printables sent over the supercute party she recently hosted for her daughter Mykayla's third birthday. But after checking out the colorful, sweet details the dolls inspired for this bash, my daughter might be getting her own Jewel Sparkles soon. "Mykayla has loved Lalaloopsy since it first came out," Miranda says. "And I loved it because it had my baby's name in it! We call her LaLa, and I had to get the Jewel Sparkles doll when I saw the name! So since my baby is a princess always to us, she loves Lalaloopsy, and the first doll she received was the Jewel Sparkles, I decided to combine it all for her third birthday party!" Keep clicking for all the details, beautifully captured by San Antonio-based photographer Sandra Bludau.
Source: Whimsical Printables
Hello dolly! From dolls that breastfeed to dolls that give birth, dolls aren't necessarily controversy-free playthings. Check out the following selection of disturbing dolls, and let us know if you'd let your tot play with any of these.
Rag dolls age well! On September 7, Raggedy Ann turns 95 and she doesn't look much older than she did back in 1915, when "cartoonist, illustrator and storyteller" Johnny Gruelle drew a face on an old doll and gifted it to his daughter, Marcella. The toy gained fame when the artist created Andy and turned the brother and sister's adventures into a book series.
Between now and the beloved redhead's birthday, The Strong Museum of National Play in Rochester, NY is hosting a tribute to the soft doll that includes a permanent exhibit of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. The museum is also inviting fans to share their Raggedy Ann photos and memories in a digital scrapbook. To see how the simple doll has evolved, check out these photos.
To see more pics of the Raggedy Ann over the years, read more
Every child loses a toy now and then — a shovel in the sandbox or a jump rope on the jungle gym, but sometimes searching the playground and turning the house upside down doesn't unearth the object. For one little girl, misplacing her beloved and pricey baby doll meant taking action! She and her parents printed and posted missing person flyers all around the park where the plastic babe was last seen.
A $20 reward was even offered for the safe return of the Bitty Baby Apple. At $45 per doll plus the cost of clothing, the tot's mom and pop probably figured this method of recovery was worth a try. To what length have you gone to find your kid's toy?
Give your girl and her dolls a wardrobe of their own! Before tossing the playthings' clothing and accessories in another plastic tub, consider investing in an authentic doll chest that will neatly hold the items and allow lil hands to access them without dumping everything on the floor. Like the trunks our mothers and grandmothers used generations ago, these armoires are designed to showcase the dolls' precious duds while teaching their owners about the importance of caring for their things. Whether opting for a wicker hamper ($65) or a sturdier wooden piece, these keepsakes create order and are easy on the eyes.
I recently heard about French designer Mina d'Ornano and her baroque sensibility. Then I came across one of her pieces — this minaPoe Evil Guest Doll Pendant ($1,317). Yes, it's a doll necklace. An evil-doll necklace to be precise. I have nothing against dolls, even scary ones, but to wear one around my neck is not me. Is it you?
Take all of my Love It or Hate It Polls here!
There are plenty of dolls on the market made from eco-friendly materials, but how many help parents teach their tots about the importance of being eco-conscience? The Earth Friends ($64) may be pricey, but they get to the point. The nine boy and girl dolls are made completely from organic and recycled materials. With organic cotton hair, a cotton and hemp blend for skin, organic and recycled cotton clothes and recycled plastic containers for stuffing, the plush toys even come in 100 percent post-consumer-waste recycled cardboard boxes.
Each doll also has a backpack filled with a real Douglas Fir tree planting kit. Instructions explain to budding environmentalists that the tree will create shade and a habitat in the future, helping generations to come. If you love the green theme, but are looking for something a bit more budget friendly, check the other options at various price points.
