Playing with dolls has been a popular past-time of young "mothers-in-training" for hundreds of years. It's a great way to stimulate a child's nurturing side and creativity, and for many youngsters, a doll is one of their first "friends". When buying dolls for girls, it can be overwhelming trying to find just the right one, this guide outlines the basic types and what they have to offer.
Perhaps the first thing to keep in mind when shopping for a doll is the age of the child one intends to give it to. The best choice for an infant or young toddler is likely a soft, cloth doll which has no small parts attached, as these can be a choking hazard, whereas a preschooler needs one that is durable and not easily damaged suited to their boisterous play. An older girl is likely to prefer a more sophisticated doll that she can dress up.
Baby's first dolly should be one that is huggable, easy to carry, and does not have hard parts which can accidentally hurt the child if she plays roughly with it. These dolls can usually be machine washed on gentle, or wiped with a damp cloth to clean them. There are also some types for preschoolers that teach buttoning, lacing and such.
When the girl is a bit older, she may prefer a doll that looks more like a real baby. These are usually made entirely from rubber or vinyl, or the more cuddly ones have a stuffed, cloth body and plastic head, arms, and legs. Some have hair, and eyes that can open and close, others can be given water in a bottle, and actually "wet" their diapers through an opening in their bodies, just as a live infant does.
Interactive dolls are a fun choice for kids about five and up. Battery operated, they can keep the child entertained with actions such as laughing, talking, singing songs, and tumbling or walking, which is the closest thing to a real, live friend a little girl can get. She can pretend it's her friend or her baby, and is sure to smile at its antics.
Since Barbie's debut on the toy market over fifty years ago, the fashion doll has enjoyed huge popularity amongst school-aged girls. Standing just under a foot tall, these replicas of grown women can be dressed up in a multitude of fashions made especially for them, and one can also purchase cars, houses, furnishings, and various other accessories to make playing with them even more exciting.
Another popular doll with school-age girls are the 18-inch ones that look like a real girl of their own age. Certain types of this kind of doll can be rather costly, as are their outfits, although they are beautiful, high-quality dollies that are likely to be very valuable collector's items in the future. Some of the "imitation" lines are more affordable.
Today there are more options than ever before for buying dolls. There's always stores, and also the international marketplace, easily accessed through numerous sites online. Those who want a unique or classic doll, may even find a treasure or two at places like flea markets or garage sales.
Perhaps the first thing to keep in mind when shopping for a doll is the age of the child one intends to give it to. The best choice for an infant or young toddler is likely a soft, cloth doll which has no small parts attached, as these can be a choking hazard, whereas a preschooler needs one that is durable and not easily damaged suited to their boisterous play. An older girl is likely to prefer a more sophisticated doll that she can dress up.
Baby's first dolly should be one that is huggable, easy to carry, and does not have hard parts which can accidentally hurt the child if she plays roughly with it. These dolls can usually be machine washed on gentle, or wiped with a damp cloth to clean them. There are also some types for preschoolers that teach buttoning, lacing and such.
When the girl is a bit older, she may prefer a doll that looks more like a real baby. These are usually made entirely from rubber or vinyl, or the more cuddly ones have a stuffed, cloth body and plastic head, arms, and legs. Some have hair, and eyes that can open and close, others can be given water in a bottle, and actually "wet" their diapers through an opening in their bodies, just as a live infant does.
Interactive dolls are a fun choice for kids about five and up. Battery operated, they can keep the child entertained with actions such as laughing, talking, singing songs, and tumbling or walking, which is the closest thing to a real, live friend a little girl can get. She can pretend it's her friend or her baby, and is sure to smile at its antics.
Since Barbie's debut on the toy market over fifty years ago, the fashion doll has enjoyed huge popularity amongst school-aged girls. Standing just under a foot tall, these replicas of grown women can be dressed up in a multitude of fashions made especially for them, and one can also purchase cars, houses, furnishings, and various other accessories to make playing with them even more exciting.
Another popular doll with school-age girls are the 18-inch ones that look like a real girl of their own age. Certain types of this kind of doll can be rather costly, as are their outfits, although they are beautiful, high-quality dollies that are likely to be very valuable collector's items in the future. Some of the "imitation" lines are more affordable.
Today there are more options than ever before for buying dolls. There's always stores, and also the international marketplace, easily accessed through numerous sites online. Those who want a unique or classic doll, may even find a treasure or two at places like flea markets or garage sales.
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