Mel here! I have tested my share of dolls and have picked out my favorites to share with you. Not only did I want to recommend my favorite dolls for every stage of your kids lives, but my favorite doll accessories as well. Enjoy!
1. Binky & Bottle Set: I remember when I was a kid being absolutely mesmerized by bottles that magically drained its contents when tipped upside down. That excitement lives on in my kids, so I am so glad that they still make them! My four year old will line up all of her dolls and give them each their own juice or milk bottle during “feeding time”, and she even gets excited to put the bottles away in their carrying case.
2. Miniland Baby Doll: I highly recommend a Miniland Baby Doll for any child that wants more than just a doll. It is an incredible educational tool, not only because the dolls are anatomically correct, but because Miniland offers a diverse selection of dolls, from skin color to facial features and abilities. They are famous for their Colorful Edition line, where babies with Vitiligo and Down Syndrome are represented.
3. Dinkum Dolls: This doll is for the collectors! Dinkum Dolls are so unique in design and their ability to stand on their own adds a whole other layer to imaginative play. They also sell the cutest outfits that you can collect to dress your dolls in all kinds of ways!
Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS for 15% off at checkout.
4. Wellie Wisher Doll: This American Girl doll will make any little girl feel like a princess! My 4 year old still dances with her around the house, twirling her glittery skirt and rejecting all the doll-suitors that come her way. I think my daughter asks me every day for matching boots!
5. Baby changing set: When I was pregnat with my third, I really wanted my girls to feel prepared for and involved in taking care of their little brother. I was so excited to introduce them and their dolls to the Mine to Love Changing and Bathtime set! They love bathtime so I knew they would waste zero time in giving their dolls a bath. It comes with absolutely everything a proper bath requires and I love to watch them swaddler their dolls in the classic hooded towel!
6. Baby Doll Stroller: Every doll needs a mode of transportation, and my kiddos adore pushing their dolls around in the My First Baby Doll Stroller. There are multiple colors to choose from but my personal favorite is the florals! The vintage look is just too cute and girly. What my girls really love about this stroller is the storage basket where they can put all of the doll’s necessities!
7. CLiCQUES: Mix and match different wood body parts and clothing with the CLiCQUES dolls from Sarah’s Silks! There are both a boy and girl set, each coming with 6 dolls of various skin tones, hair colors, and each outfit is a color of the rainbow! The pieces are all magnetic, so switching up the dolls’ appearance is too fun and easy. As always, the dolls are made with the highest quality materials and are a fantastic heirloom gift.
8. Mon Ami Doll: Mon Ami Dolls stand out with their long, lean bodies, and beautifully crafted outfits. They aren’t just a doll- they are perfect for decorating a nursery or bringing beauty to a doll collection! My daughter’s favorite is her Princess Olivia doll with her gorgeous dress and long braid!
9. Townhouse Dollhouse: The Toy Doll Townhouse is stunning and highly effective. The minimalistic style leaves room for decoration and imagination for the kids. It was so easy to assemble and you can get additional furniture to fill it out and customize it to your kid’s liking!
10. Madame Alexander Soft Baby: The Madame Alexander Soft Baby is my go-to babydoll for first birthday gifts! The cozy outfit the baby comes in is so soft and snuggly that babies instantly latch onto it. It’s also on the smaller end of baby dolls, making it the perfect size for little hands.
11. Wee Baby Stella: Okay the Wee Baby Stella is such a sweet baby for littles to start out with! My 4 year old played with this doll all the time when she was younger, soothing the baby with her magnetic pacifier. The doll is so easy to carry around with how soft and squishy she is, and I was always at peace knowing ther were no chokeables to worry about.
12. Baby cradle: Whenever I picture a baby cradle, my mind immediately jumps to Sophia’s Vintage Rocking cradle. The heart-shaped cutouts and pink polka dot sheets are to die for and my girls beg for each of their dolls to have their own! I love watching my four year old sing a lullaby to her dolls while putting them down in this cradle. It is also a great value for the quality you get.
13. Adventure Magnetic Dollouse: Encourage your kids to be their own architects with The Adventure Dollhouse! My six year old loves taking things apart to rebuild them so this dollhouse was the perfect choice for her. It is incredibly open-ended and the rooms can be arranged in all kinds of ways. The best part is that the rooms stick together with magnets so it is more secure and safe!
14. Movers stroller: The Movers Traditional Doll Stroller checks all the boxes for someone who is looking for a durable, high quality, aesthetically gorgeous, and wooden stroller. This stroller will last generations with its thoughtful craft and simple design. There is no need to hide it from guests because it doubles as an adorable decoration for any kids room or nursery!
15. Baby Alive Doll: This baby doll is not for the casual doll enthusiast. This doll is for the serious doll devotee! I recommend saving Baby Alive for children over the age of 3, when they can really enjoy feeding, changing, and taking care of the doll. My 6 year old thought it was so funny that the baby really peed and pooped and it actually helped prepare her for changing her little brother’s diapers!
16. Baby Boy Doll: We love Sarah Silks in our household, so we were so excited when we saw that they sell dolls, too! The Waldorf Leo Doll is meant for cuddling with its warm wool stuffing and soft cotton belly! I immediately got this for my son when I found out I was having a boy. Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS will save you 10% at checkout.
17. Melissa & Doug High Chair: Your babies need high chairs, and so do your baby’s babies! My girls knew that if they couldn’t sit at the table as babies, neither could their dolls. The Melissa & Doug play high chair is small, sweet and compact! The tray is so easy to wipe clean when necessary, and my girls have the time of their lives taking turns putting all of their dolls in the high chair for lunch time.
18. Baby Feeding Set: This LullaBaby Doll high chair and feeding set is a must. It is such a good value and great for teaching nurturing skills! The high chair is small enough to stay out of the way but perfectly sized for my girls to have fun with. They love pretending to feed their dolls (and themselves) with the realistic oatmeal!
19. Tiny Land Dollhouse: If sleek modern is your vibe or aesthetic of your home, the Tiny Land Dollhouse will fit right in! Kids love seeing mini versions of things in their life and this dollhouse does just that. It comes fully furnished with a whopping 53 pieces including an adorable outdoor grill setup!
20. Lula Baby Twins: Double the doll fun with the LullaBaby Twin Dolls! It was special teaching my 4 year old about twins and seeing how excited she got to learn that she could take care of two babies at once! Bedtime is her favorite part of the day, so she was so excited to feed both dolls at the same time and get them dressed in their adorable sleep sacks!
21. Doll Lovey: If you really want to get your own child or another’s something realy special, head over to Etsy and grab one of these handmade Doll Loveys. They exude sweetness and will bring peaceful comfort to your little one. My daughters love cuddling their Loveys every night and I love looking at the beautiful craftsmanship.
22. Mine to Love Bunk Bed: Whether your kids have twin dolls, multiple dolls, or stuffies, they all need a place to sleep! I would’ve killed to share a bunkbed with my sister growing up, but now I can offer that experience to my girls’ dolls! It is great for any doll or stuffie up to 18 inches long and comes with pillows and blankets, and even a ladder!
23. Mine to Love Twins: Introduce your kiddos to teaching self-soothing techniques with the Mine to Love twin dolls! Each doll comes with its own pacifier, but they can also suck their thumbs. My 4 year old will rock her twins while holding the pacifiers in their mouths, and then close their eyes for them once they are soothed. Now I wish she could do that with her little brother!
24. Custom American Girl Doll: It is my personal opinion that every little girl needs to experience creating her own doll at some point in her childhood. American Girl Dolls provides this opportunity and it is so magical! My daughters and I had a blast picking a template and customizing the doll to perfection. I couldn’t wait to surprise them with their creations in real life.
25. Melissa & Doug Dollhouse: This dollhouse was the home of my dream as a little girl, with the purple roof, doors, pink shutters, and wooden porches! The light wood on the inside of the house is so cozy, and the stairs can be moved around to change the layout. One detail that makes a huge difference to our kids is that the doors are fully functional!
26. La Di Dolls: Say hello to the paper doll that isn’t paper! These dolls are handmade and have beautiful yarn hair. These toys will last you forever so don’t worry, you’ll be able to pass this favorite along. The dolls come with velcro already attached to make dressing them in their custom felt clothing a breeze. They come in sizes big and small and also come in a convenient carrying tote for on the go adventures.
Code: TOYTESTINGSISTERS will save you 15% at checkout.
27. Wonder Wooden Heirloom Dollhouse: Some say dollhouses are in your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Just kidding, no one says that. But this dollhouse is definitely in your life for a lifetime, maybe even multiple lifetimes! This heirloom piece is handmade out of premium material and comes fully assembled! It has such a classic look that I use it as a bookshelf when my kiddos aren’t filing it with their dolls.