Best Baby Dolls for Toddlers 2024

Baby dolls have been a beloved toy for centuries, captivating young imaginations and providing endless hours of play. However, playing with these toys isn't just fun – it's also essential for toddlers' development.

According to Kristen Miller, director of education at Celebree School, a leading provider of early childhood education in the United States, "Playing with dolls gives children a safe way to understand their bodies and encourages them to explore and ask questions without feeling ashamed. Research indicates that 90% of a child's brain develops before age five, making it crucial for teachers to use this time to introduce dolls as a means to model compassion and care."

But with so many dolls to choose from, it can be tricky to find the right one. That's why we asked Miller and Natalie Rosado, LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), for advice on picking the best baby dolls for toddlers. They shared tips on what features to look for, including options for different budgets and dolls made from various materials.

What the best baby dolls for toddlers teach little ones

From fostering empathy to sharpening fine motor skills, baby dolls can teach toddlers many valuable lessons. Here is why each one is important:

Empathy and nurturing skills

Rosado believes baby dolls are excellent tools for teaching toddlers empathy and nurturing. "Engaging with baby dolls helps toddlers develop empathy and nurturing skills," she says. "By caring for a doll, children learn to understand and respond to the needs and feelings of others. This practice of role-playing as a caregiver can translate into more empathetic interactions with peers and family members."

Social and communication skills

When toddlers play with dolls, they often talk to the dolls or chat about them with others. Rosado says, "This helps kids strengthen their social and communication skills by expressing their thoughts and feelings out loud. As a result, playing with dolls can improve children's speaking skills and help them interact better with others."

Imagination and creativity

Playing with dolls also encourages imaginative play, crucial for toddlers' cognitive development. Rosado says, "Toddlers create scenarios and stories, which helps them develop creativity and problem-solving skills. This type of play also allows them to explore different roles and experiences in a safe and controlled environment."

Fine motor skills

The best baby dolls for toddlers also help sharpen their fine motor skills. Rosado explains, "Dressing, feeding and caring for a doll involves various fine motor tasks that can help toddlers develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity. These activities require precise movements and can improve their motor skills over time."

Emotional regulation

Rosado suggests that baby dolls also offer youngsters a valuable outlet for emotional expression and comprehension. She notes, "Toddlers might project their feelings onto the doll, which can help them understand and manage their emotions better. This can be particularly useful in helping them navigate new or challenging experiences."

Preparation for sibling arrival

Surprisingly enough, playing with a baby doll can help prepare a toddler for a new brother or sister, says Rosado."Through role-playing with the doll, they can learn how to care for a baby and understand what changes to expect, making the transition easier and help mitigate feelings of jealousy or anxiety," she states.

How we chose the best Baby Dolls for Toddlers

Before you buy a baby doll for your toddler, consider these important factors when adding one to your shopping cart:

Safety and durability

When it comes to selecting the best baby dolls for toddlers, Rosado asserts that safety and durability should be the top priorities. "The doll should be free of small parts that could pose a choking hazard," she states, adding that it's crucial to ensure the toy is "made of non-toxic materials and meets all safety standards."

Additionally, Rosado stresses the importance of durability, explaining that parents should carefully examine a doll's construction to confirm that components are securely attached and unlikely to detach during play.

Size and weight

Parents should pay attention to a baby doll's size and weight. "The doll should be light enough for the child to carry and manipulate easily but not so small that it can be a choking risk," Rosado suggests.

Realistic features

"Dolls with realistic features, such as eyes that open and close or soft, huggable bodies, can be more engaging for toddlers," suggests Rosado. "These features help in role-playing and nurturing activities, making the play experience more immersive and beneficial."

Inclusivity and representation

Miller recommends choosing dolls that accurately depict a variety of skin tones and authentically represent different cultures and abilities.

"Offering children dolls of diverse skin tones, sizes, genders and ages is a method to foster social-emotional literacy," she explains. "Playing with dolls gives children a chance to engage with a doll that might have a different skin tone or hair texture, or represent a child with a hearing aid, encouraging them to explore differences with curiosity and empathy."

Interactive features

Rosado explains that some dolls have interactive features such as crying, giggling, or speaking, which can enhance the play experience. However, she advises ensuring that these features are age-appropriate and not too complex for the child to operate.

Soft and safe materials

Lastly, Rosado advises choosing dolls crafted from soft materials that children find comfortable to hold and play with. She states, "Dolls made of hard plastic may be less conducive to cuddling and nurturing play."

Best Baby Dolls for Toddlers 2024

• Best overall: June Garden 9" My First Doll Hazel - Soft Plush Baby Doll with Rattle
• Best budget-friendly: JC Toys La Baby 11-Inch Doll
• Best rated: Cuddle + Kind Baby Doll
• Best material: Lovevery Organic Cotton Baby Doll
• Best for travel: Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Peach Soft First Baby Doll
• Most realistic: Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Jenna 12-Inch Soft Body Baby Doll
• Most interactive features: Adora My Cuddle & Coo Babies Collection, 15-Inch Baby Doll in Sweet Powder Scent and 5 Touch Activated Sounds
• Most durable: Corolle Bébé Calin Charming Pastel Baby Doll

Best Overall

June Garden 9" My First Doll Hazel - Soft Plush Baby Doll with Rattle

Winning the best overall category, this baby doll from June Goron is soft, huggable, and lightweight, making it a favourite for many. It is nicely priced under $10, easy to store in your baby bag, and offers a variety of skin tones and outfits, which Miller notes as a way to promote nurturing play, early learning and diversity.

This doll also includes a rattle that reviewers find perfect for engaging play. S. Roddy, a verified Amazon customer, writes, "She's small enough not to overwhelm, soft enough for a little one to cuddle and hold, and has a little rattle in there to draw baby's attention to the doll."

Best Budget-friendly

JC Toys La Baby 11-Inch Doll

Miller highlights this JC Toys option as a top contender for parents seeking an affordable yet high-quality baby doll for their toddlers.

"This doll is available in multiple ethnicities, is made of soft and cuddly material and is hand-washable, making it both affordable and practical for diverse early learning and play," she explains. "Plus, the poseable limbs and included accessories like clothing and a pacifier provide an engaging play experience."

Best Rated

Cuddle + Kind Baby Doll

Handcrafted by women artisans, these adorable animal-themed dolls provide more than just a cuddly companion. Miller states, "They promote fair trade practices and educate children about social responsibility. Each doll purchased provides 10 meals to children in need across 64 countries."

Not only do these dolls contribute to a good cause, but they also prioritize safety. All dolls meet US and Canadian standards, are certified non-toxic, and are made from 100% premium cotton yarn with hypoallergenic polyfill for optimal cuddling.

Best Material

Lovevery Organic Cotton Baby Doll

According to Miller, this doll's eco-friendly and safe construction, utilizing organic cotton fabric and poly-fill and its availability in three different skin tones promotes both environmental awareness and diversity.

With a height ranging from 8 to 8.5 inches, the doll is also perfectly proportioned for little hands to hold and cuddle. Additionally, caring for the doll is simple and hassle-free; it can be easily maintained by spot cleaning with cold water and a gentle detergent and then allowing it to air dry.

Best for Travel

Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Peach Soft First Baby Doll

This doll is designed with young children in mind and offers a perfect blend of comfort and interactivity. "This doll is lightweight and soft, making it easy for toddlers to carry around," says Rosado. "It comes with a magnetic pacifier and removable clothes, providing simple interactive features without being bulky."

What's more, at 15 inches, this doll is a good size for toddlers to carry and play with. Plus, its use of non-toxic materials makes it perfect for safe play.

Most Realistic

Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Jenna 12-Inch Soft Body Baby Doll

"This doll features a sweet, realistic face with eyes that open and close," explains Rosado. "Its soft body and detailed features like the ability to suck its thumb or pacifier make it an excellent choice for realistic play."

This doll also comes with a removable romper and cap and is easy to wipe clean. And if that is not enough, reviewers say it's the perfect first doll for any toddler.

Jo D Harvey, a verified Amazon customer, writes, "This doll is perfect for a first-time “mommy”. She can suck her thumb or use the pacifier, which is included. This doll will provide an opportunity for hours of play. She comes packaged in a sturdy Kraft-coloured box. Easy to wrap and give as a gift for any occasion."

Most Interactive Features

Adora My Cuddle & Coo Babies Collection, 15-Inch Baby Doll in Sweet Powder Scent and 5 Touch Activated Sounds

This doll stands out as Rosado's top choice for interactive features, boasting five distinct sounds: crying, cooing, giggling, kissing, and talking.

"Its lifelike qualities are further enhanced by meticulous attention to detail, including a subtle baby powder scent, a soft and cuddly body, silky hair and delicately hand-painted eyelashes," she says. The doll's ability to open and close its eyes, mimicking sleep patterns, also adds an extra layer of realism."

Most Durable

Corolle Bébé Calin Charming Pastel Baby Doll

According to Rosado, Corolle dolls are celebrated for their durability, making this baby doll the best choice in this category. "This doll has a soft body with vinyl limbs that are lightly scented with vanilla," she explains. "It's designed to withstand rough play and frequent washing, making it a long-lasting choice."

Beyond its durability, this doll offers several other appealing features. There are four different styles to choose from, each soft enough for cuddles and hugs. It also boasts a 4.8-star rating and thousands of reviews attesting to its durability and toddler-friendliness.

Krause, a verified Amazon shopper, writes, "First off it smells amazing- like sugary ice cream. It’s also very soft, so cuddly and squishy. It’s also a perfect size for her small toddler hands. It’s petite features are very sweet. This is the perfect doll for any toddler."

Experts: 

• Kristen Miller, is a director of Education for Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare and summer camp programs.
• Natalie Rosado, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counsellor and mental health expert at Sanity & Self: Self-Care Women's App.