Finding a Lifelong Friend

A Guide for Parents Choosing the Right Doll for Their Child

At DollsInc., we know how magical the bond between a child and their doll can be. A doll is not just a toy, it’s also a partner in imaginative play, a comfort during bedtime, and a lifelong friend. 

But with so many options on our website, we often get asked by parents: “How do I choose the right one for my child?”

To help you find the perfect match, we have broken down the decision-making process into five simple steps. Let us help build your child’s new best friend together!

Step 1: Finished Doll vs. DIY Kit

The very first decision is deciding how you want your doll to arrive. We cater to both those who want a ready-to-love companion and those who enjoy a hand-on project!

• Finished Doll: Ready for immediate cuddles, these dolls arrive weighted, stuffed, and fully assembled by our team. This is perfect if you want to surprise your child right out of the box.
• Ready to beBorn DIY Kit: Do you have a creative child, or do you want to share a memorable crafting experience together? Our beBorn DIY kits allow you to stuff and assemble the doll yourself, making the final product feel unique and personal.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size

Our dolls are available in different sizes, ranging from 16 to 26 inches. Bigger dolls are heavier and smaller dolls are lighter, ensuring we have the perfect fit for children of all different ages, sizes, and developmental abilities.

• 15" to 17” (Preemie): Lightweight and easy to carry, these dolls are fantastic for younger children, toddlers, or kids who may have physical limitations that make heavier dolls difficult to hold.
• 18” to 20” (Newborn): Our most popular range! These dolls fit perfectly into real newborn clothing and offer a realistic baby feel for school-aged children.
• 21" to 23" (1-3 Months): Designed to fit real 1–3 month baby clothing, these larger dolls provide an incredibly realistic size that's perfect for cuddling and imaginative play.
• 24" to 28” (Toddler): These are larger dolls that feel like a real toddler. They are wonderful for older children who want a “big brother/big sister” experience, or children who enjoy dressing their dolls in larger clothes.

Step 3: Pick the Limb Option

The configuration of your doll’s limbs affects how they feel to hold and play with. We offer two main options:

• 1/4-Limb Dolls: These dolls have vinyl hands, feet, and face, but the upper arms and legs are made of soft cloth. This makes them more cuddly, squishy, and perfect for children who primarily want a doll to hug, squeeze, and sleep with.
• Full-Limb Dolls: If your child enjoys posing their doll, sitting them up in a stroller, or changing their clothes constantly, full-limb dolls are the way to go. They are sturdier and easy to pose, while also offering a more realistic look when dressed in short sleeves or shorts.

Step 4: Choose the Face

Now for the most fun part: bringing your doll’s personality to life! First, decide on the eyes:

• Open (Awake) Eyes: Best for active, imaginative play. If your child wants a buddy to sit at the table during mealtime, go to “school” with them, go for stroller walks, or watch TV by their side, an awake doll is the perfect partner.
• Closed (Sleeping) Eyes: Perfect for nurturers. If your child’s favourite part of playing “parent” is rocking, swaying, swaddling, singing lullabies, and tucking their baby in for a nap, then a sleeping doll is the right choice.

Next, choose their expression:

Look through our gallery and find the face that speaks to you! Do you want a baby with adorable chubby cheeks? How about a giggly baby sporting a big grin? Or perhaps a sleepy pout, or a curious, wide-eyed look?

Customization Tip: For all of our awake dolls, we include high-quality acrylic eyes. If your child has a specific eye colour in mind (like matching their own!), just leave us a note at checkout and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please keep in mind that eye colour requests are subject to availability, and we cannot guarantee that every request will be possible.

Step 5: Boy, Girl, or Surprise

Before you hit “Buy Now,” you get to choose how your doll will be dressed when they arrive at your doorstep. You can select:

• Girl Outfit: Features a girls’ onesie/outfit and a headband.
• Boy Outfit: Features a boys’ onesie/outfit and a hat.
• Surprise Me: This option is a favorite among parents. Just like when expecting your real baby, they will get to experience the thrill of finding out the “gender” of the doll when you open the box!

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Choosing a doll is a special journey, and we are so excited to help you bring a little extra magic into your child’s playroom. Head over to our shop at dollsinc.com to start browsing, and if you ever have any questions about customization, our team is always here to help!