No two people in this world are the same (even identical twins). That’s why children need the opportunity to play with inclusive dolls that reflect them and the different types of people in our precious world. Educational toys are a great way to help little ones learn, and we start this with sensory toys for development from the moment they’re born.
Barbie manufacturer Mattel launched their Barbie Fashionistas range in 2009 but in recent years, has been adding more inclusive dolls to make it the most diverse doll line on offer.
Meet Mattel's first blind Barbie
In July 2024, Mattel released its first blind Barbie doll, adding to this inclusivity to make blind and low-vision children more represented within society. To be sure the details were accurate, they partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) who commented "By increasing representation and promoting awareness about the experiences of blind individuals and those with low vision, our shared goal is to inspire boundless opportunities for everyone, ultimately leading to a world of greater accessibility and inclusion."
Mattel's first blind Barbie is designed to be inclusive for children who are blind or have low-vision, ensuring they're represented by this popular doll. The company consulted with blind children and their families to design the doll in a way that made her accessible and representative. Barbie holds a white and red cane with a marshmallow tip and her elbows are joined to allow her to hold this in a more authentic way. The clothing has loop fasteners and an elastic waistband so it's easier to dress her and the material is also textured to make it more tactile for blind and low-vision children. After consulting with the AFB, they designed her eyes to face slightly up and out to “accurately reflect the sometimes-distinct eye gaze of a blind individual”.
Our best inclusive dolls round up:
• Best overall for its true-to-life characteristics: Barbie Inspiring Women Rosa Parks Doll, buy on here from Amazon
• Best doll for its style: Barbie Fashionista Doll with Cane and Sunglasses, buy on here from Argos
• Best for doll for its scent: Flora Flutters, Kindi Kids, buy on here from Amazon
• Best for its firefighter's uniform: Barbie Firefighter Doll, buy on here from Amazon
In celebration of this greater inclusivity of dolls, we have round up the best inclusive dolls that your children need to play with!
The best inclusive dolls 2024
Best for its true-to-life characteristics
Imagine unboxing a doll that doesn't just sparkle with style, but also carries a piece of history in her hands. The Barbie Inspiring Women Rosa Parks Doll is more than just a plaything—it's a miniature tribute to a woman who refused to stay in her seat so that future generations could stand tall. With her classic 1950s outfit and symbolic stance, this doll introduces kids (and adults!) to one of the most important figures in civil rights history. It’s quirky, it’s educational, and it turns playtime into a lesson on bravery, equality, and change. Purchased as a gift for their granddaughter, one customer said: "Great to see a range of inspiring women. I bought this for my granddaughter for Black History Month. She loves the story of Rosa Parks. She’s black and has had a few racist comments directed at her, so it’s really important that she learns the stories of those who have fought foe equality and human rights."
Pros
- Include educational information
- Pays tribute to incredible heroines throughout history
Cons
- One review said the hat is plastic
Best for its style
www.argos.co.uk
This latest inclusive Barbie from Mattel has a white and red cane and glasses to be more inclusive of blind and low-vision children. It was produced in collaboration with the American Foundation for the Blind to ensure a greater level of accuracy and details that will appeal to blind and low-vision children, including textured, easy to dress clothing. To make it more accessible to blind children, the packaging has 'Barbie' written in braille on the front. Purchased as a gift for their granddaughter, they said: “I bought this item for granddaughter aged seven. She was absolutely delighted there was a Barbie just like her! She even explained to me how to position cane so Barbie could use it correctly.”
Pros
- Celebrates diversity
- Designed to reflect the world kids see today
Cons
- Not suitable for children under 3 years old
Best for its Down syndrome awareness
Partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society, this doll has been designed to celebrate this community and even incorporates meaningful symbols in the characters outfits. The dress features butterflies and flowers in a gorgeous yellow and blue colour palette, and the necklace features three arrows which represent the third 21st chromosome. One happy customer said: "I saw a preview of this doll long before she was available. I checked Amazon weekly for her till she became available. I love her. She is beautiful with lovely hair. It's so important to teach children that difference is okay and can be wonderful."
Pros
- Bright and trendy
- Blue and yellow color palette, represent Down syndrome awareness
- Features pink ankle foot orthoses
Cons
- Only a few left in stock
Best for its stickers
Barbie Fashionistas Doll with Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid is inspired by EastEnders actor Rose Ayling-Ellis. She also has a smaller bust, Rose's signature high pony, and a cute daisy print dress. One buyer who got this as a surprise for her little boy said: "My little boy has cochlear implants and was desperate to get this Barbie to give his little sister for her birthday. He said it’s the only toy he has seen that has ‘ears’ a bit like his. Beautiful doll and lovely to see the inclusive range that has been brought out."
Pros
- Wears a sheath dress with daisy pattern and extra large collar
- Features cute pink boots
- The reusable vinyl bag has a zip closure
Cons
- 1 AA batteries required
Best for its scent
The hugely popular Kindi Kids family is a range of pre-schooler dolls that aim to inspire children through fun, friendship, imagination and play, with characters that encourage children to celebrate their ‘you-nique’ features. Flora Flutters Kindi Kids doll has a truly unique quality, being hard of hearing, she wears her butterfly hearing aid with pride. One reviewer said: "Beautiful doll with fabulous features, brought for granddaughter who will love it! Definitely recommend for any little girl."
Pros
- Has a sweet butterfly flower scent
- Head wobbles and bobbles when you pick her up
Cons
- Only 1 left in stock
Best for its character kit
These gender-inclusive toys have been talked about all over the internet because kids can play with dolls that don’t have a label. Let your little ones get creative with the Creatable World Deluxe Character Kit, with mix-and-match outfits, wigs, and accessories. There are so many different looks to choose from and with the brand's tagline ‘all welcome’, you know this is going to be great for both boys and girls. Bought for their grandchild, one reviewer said: "Great doll for my curly-haired daughter, so many combinations of hair/clothes. Liked the open-ended opportunities for play as the doll could be male/female. My 8-year-old loved this doll."
Pros
- Inspire all kids 6 years and older with a Creatable World Deluxe character kit
- A blank canvas so kids can make whoever they want
Cons
- One review said the main criticism of the clothes is that the trousers, long or short, which have velcro fastening to the rear, will not stay fastened if you put the doll into a sitting position
Best for its rolling wheels and a working brake
Barbie Wheelchair Doll provides a new possibility of play and can start a conversation about disabilities in your home. The wheelchair has rolling wheels, working brakes, and we love that it comes with a ramp to encourage discussions about accessibility to all. You can even use it in their Barbie dollhouse. One review, glad with the dolls inclusiveness said: "How wonderful that we live in a world where we can buy our children a barbie that looks just like them! Our children no longer have to look at their toys and feel unrepresented. Massive kudos to Mattel for bringing inclusivity into our homes!"
Pros
- Features 22 "joints" in the neck, upper arms, elbows, wrists, torso, hips, upper legs, knees and ankles
- Long brunette hair is crimped
- Wears a rainbow-striped dress
Cons
- Manufacturers age recommendation is 6 months - 3 years
Best for its creativity
Once you get over the fact that this doll literally has a detachable baby bump – with a tiny infant inside, it is a great toy for creative play. This will also help you to talk to boys and girls about the basics of the birds and the bees. In love with the creativity, one buyer said: "Love this barbie, a great way to educate and show little ones how babies are inside the body. Cute little baby pops out of the egg-shaped tummy, and she can be made ‘not pregnant’ with a sliding flat tummy. Love this for my daughter as she is going to be a big sister soon."
Pros
- kids can see the baby magically come out of Steffi's tummy
- Fantastic way to aid your child's development
- Will encourage your child to use their imagination and creativity
- Suitable for 36 months - 10 years
Cons
- One review said the doll is terrifying and got her daughter way to inquisitive which she was not ready for
Best for its firefighter's uniform
Help little ones imagine what they can be when they grow up with Firefighter Barbie. This doll will help protect all the other toys and includes the uniform, hat, walkie-talkie, and badge. It’s the ideal gift for kids who want adventure play. An auntie, who bought this for their niece said: "I bought this for my niece as a gift. The career Barbies are brilliant. Look great and help smash stereotypes."
Pros
- Barbie firefighter doll is ready to fight fires in a fire service uniform
- Features detailing that includes a badge and walkie-talkie
- Suitable for 3 years and up
Cons
- Only a few left in stock
- One review said It is shame that the pockets do not open and the accessories are printed rather than removable
Best for its long braids
Another selection from the Fashionista range, this doll has a curvier body and beautiful braided hair – which is very different from the original design of this toy. We love that this not only displays a different skin tone, but the outfit is also seriously fun, hoop earrings and all. Impress with the quality, one buyer said: "I really like this doll good quality and detailing, great to have some diversity she is a curvier doll than the standard Barbie doll but she's just as fabulous. To be gifted at Christmas."
Pros
- Features barbie wearing sandals and golden hoop earrings complete the outfit
- Makes a great gift for kids 3 years and older
Cons
- Only a few left in stock
Best for its colourful floral pattern
Losing your hair to an illness or having alopecia can be difficult, especially if all the dolls you see have a thick head of hair. This bald Barbie is great for young children to relate to, and can help normalise having no hair with other children. One reviewer, happy with their order said: "Bought for my Granddaughter, she's not a fan of dolls, but as she has alopecia and has lost all her hair I thought she might relate to this version of Barbie, ever visit she attempts to make an item of clothing for it, absolute great buy."
Pros
- Barbie doll has no hair
- Barbie wears white booties and a pair of golden hoop earrings
- Puffy sleeves
Cons
- Only 8 left in stock
Bests for its stunning curves
We love that this doll has a curvier body shape, something still a rarity in Barbie dolls in particular. As a result, it's no surprise this doll is often out of stock. We also adore her fun colour block dress, darker skin tone, and long braided hair in a crimson colour. Someone who purchased this to help them during bereavement said: 'Last year, I discovered what fun doll collecting is – not (for me) in vast quantities, but just a few well-chosen ones to keep on a shelf and look at – these dolls are wonderfully cheering, helping me as I go through a period of bereavement. I matched some of them with miniature pets, bags and other accessories (I gave one doll a miniature guitar, and another a set of miniature books) and can imagine little stories to go with each. This stunning beauty was a must for me from the moment I first set eyes on her.'
Pros
- Long braided hair
- Can also decorate them with their own materials such as stickers
Cons
- One review said they just wish it had a Made to Move Body
Best for its ruffle sleeves
Perfect for little ones with a limb difference or to teach kids how normal a missing limb can be. This Barbie doll wears a prosthetic leg that kids can easily take on and off to add a unique element to their imaginative storytelling. One reviewer said: "This was a birthday gift for my niece when she turned 6. She has several disabled family members, including myself, and I wanted to make sure she understood how normal it is for someone to be different. She has many races, sexes, and ages of Barbie Dolls, and adding different abilities was all that was left. It had all of its pieces, arrived on time with a nice pouch to keep her and her accessories in, and was immediately opened and played with."
Pros
- The Barbie doll has a single leg and wears an orthopedic leg
- She wears a dress with ruffle sleeves and striped prints
- Brunette hair is styled in a semi-up
Cons
- One review said the stump is not realistic but it's not too bad.
Bests for its trendy outfit
This is the first Ken doll to have vitiligo, launched this year. While he's in the typical 'Ken' body shape, this small difference in skin tone makes a huge difference. You can also find Barbie dolls with vitiligo from earlier launches. One reviewer said: "My daughter doesn't have vitiligo but got this 'beautiful skin' (her words) Ken doll and was very happy."
Pros
- Trendy doll
- Ken doll has vitiligo
- Wears the brown hair perfectly styled
Cons
- One review said the vitiligo on the body tends to wash off
What was their last inclusive range?
In 2022, Mattel launched a new line which included the first Barbie with a hearing aid, inspired by EastEnders actor Rose Ayling-Ellis. Rose made history as the first deaf contestant to win Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 - we can all remember her beautiful, silent dance to Clean Bandit's 'Symphony' that had us in tears.
The 2022 line of dolls also includes the first Ken doll with vitiligo, a Barbie with a prosthetic limb, and one in a wheelchair.
Mattel announced in April 2023 the addition of the new Barbie Doll with Down Syndrome that allows even more children to feel included and represented on a global scale. To ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down Syndrome, they worked with the National Down Syndrome Society, who empower individuals with Down Syndrome, help to support their families and drive policy changes.
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Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.