Some of the best baby dolls are very lifelike. Kids can make learning the basics of dolls and baby care simply by playing with them. From putting dolls to bed to feeding or taking them out for a walk, there are a few types of activities that kids can perform with dolls. But not all of them are the same. Some dolls come with accessories such as different clothes, bottles of milk or other baby products. But most importantly, the following dolls can be an inspired gift for kids to cherish for a long time.
- Top 30 Best Baby Dolls for Kids & Toddlers 2023
- 1. JC Toys La Baby 11-inch Play Doll
- 2. Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Jenna
- 3. Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Brianna
- 4. La Newborn Nursery 8 Piece Layette Baby Doll
- 5. Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Annie 12-Inch Drink & Wet Doll
- 6. Dolls to Play Soft Baby Doll With TakeAlong Pink Doll Backpack Carrier
- 7. The New York Doll Collection Soft Body Doll in Gift Box
- 8. Mommy & Me Doll Collection Baby Twin Dolls
- 9. JC Toys La Baby 16-inch Purple Washable Soft Baby Doll
- 10. Cabbage Patch Kids Official Newborn Baby Doll Girl
- 11. JC Toys Berenguer Boutique 15" Soft Body Baby Doll
- 12. Penson & Co. Reborn Newborn Baby Realike Doll
- 13. JC Toys 13-Inch Baby Soft Doll Soft Body Twins Designed by Berenguer
- 14. Dolls to Play Baby Doll Car Seat with Toy Accessories
- 15. Adora Sweet Baby Girl Doll Washable Soft Body
- 16. Baby Magic Doll Bath Caddy Baby
- 17. Baby Sweetheart by Battat Newborn Baby Doll
- 18. Adora Adoption Handsome Baby Doll
- 19. Cry Babies Coney Doll
- 20. Luvabella Blonde Hair Interactive Baby Doll
- 21. Baby Alive Potty Dance Baby: Talking Baby Doll
- 22. Baby Alive Luv 'n Snuggle Baby Doll Blond
- 23. Baby Alive Face Paint Fairy
- 24. Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Mariana 12-Inch Baby Doll
- 25. Baby Alive Sweet Spoonfuls Baby Doll Girl
- 26. Corolle Mon Premier Poupon Bebe Calin
- 27. Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Peach Soft First Baby Doll
- 28. Dolls to Play Doll With Clothes Set
- 29. Baby's First Giraffe Sing & Learn Singing Baby Doll
- 30. Baby's First Kisses Kisses Baby Doll
- Final words
Top 30 Best Baby Dolls for Kids & Toddlers 2023
1. JC Toys La Baby 11-inch Play Doll
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La Baby is available in multiple ethnicities. Kids can use the doll with the ethnicity representing them. The safety elements are the same on all dolls. Its materials are actually free from fragrances. Even more, keeping the doll clean proves important in the long run. It’s why the doll can actually be hand washed.
Pros
- Lightweight for children over 12 months
- Made with hand washable materials
- Designed for boys and girls
- Available in multiple ethnicities
Cons
- No accessories such as baby bottles
2. Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Jenna
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The doll has a small but popular list of features which might make kids even more connected and willing to interact with it. The cap it wears can be removed and its arms can be wiped clean. At the same time, the closing eyes of the doll can be handy when rocking it to sleep. With cute baby cheeks, the doll is one of the realistic designs kids can relate to and improve their imagination as well.
Pros
- Closes the eyes with rocking movements
- Wipe clean hands
- Made with a size of 12 inches
- Added removable smocked romper
Cons
- Mild baby powder smell
3. Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Brianna
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The clothes of the doll can be removed and changed. Although there are no second outfits shipped with the doll, parents can still purchase them separately. A feeding bottle could also be purchased separately. Made from squishy materials, the doll is also held comfortably by kids and it represents a viable solution for hugs every day. As expected from the manufacturer, it also comes with a size of just 12 inches.
Pros
- Made to handle changing hairstyles
- Outfits can be changed
- Opens and closes eyes
- Inspires imagination
Cons
- Made with plastic arms
4. La Newborn Nursery 8 Piece Layette Baby Doll
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The outfit includes a hat, a t-shirt, bodysuits, boots, a diaper, and a diaper cover. It has been seen as one of the true options to make kids understand more about future brothers and sisters and this is why the doll even comes with a hospital bracelet. The 8-piece set is also useful to get kids into learning more about carrying and playing with babies.
Pros
- Ships with 8 pieces of clothing
- Includes a hospital bracelet
- Safe to play within the bath
- Arms and legs can rotate
Cons
- No bending from the torso
5. Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Annie 12-Inch Drink & Wet Doll
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Shipped with various accessories, the doll is among the simplest designs to make kids understand potty training. She also comes with eyes which open and closes as well as with a pink pacifier. When the potty time is over, children can her diapers with the help of the self-stick tabs. Dressed in a charming outfit with a matching bonnet, the doll is suitable for kids between the ages of 3 and 6.
Pros
- Ships with potty accessories
- Includes clothing and a bonnet
- Made with an educational purpose
- Suitable for kids of up to 6
Cons
- Water goes through the doll fast
6. Dolls to Play Soft Baby Doll With TakeAlong Pink Doll Backpack Carrier
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There are a few instances where a doll carried around might also be more than just a toy. Dolls to Play acknowledges the positive aspects of actually carrying a doll around and playing with it from a psychological perspective. With a real alternative to video games, the doll can actually play its role in effective child development. Physical touch has also proven vastly superior to video games in terms of emotional development. The great part is the 12” doll can be carried around easily with all of its accessories in the backpack.
Pros
- Made to improve child development
- Ships with a backpack
- Recommended for emotional development
- Made with soft vinyl
Cons
- Feeding bottles not included
7. The New York Doll Collection Soft Body Doll in Gift Box
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Kids can use the doll to learn how to properly hold a baby. It is why so many parents are actually using such dolls to get their kids to learn more about babies and how to care for their siblings. At the same time, the doll offers an imaginative solution for play time. Since it is made from durable materials, it also represents one of the simple and efficient designs in terms of child safety as it has no small parts to worry about. Kids above the age of 2 can play with the doll.
Pros
- Made with different outfits
- Available in different ethnicities
- Hand washable materials
- Teaches kids about baby care
Cons
- Small for some kids
8. Mommy & Me Doll Collection Baby Twin Dolls
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With a 3-piece outfit, each doll can offer a more realistic experience for kids to enjoy. Parents can also purchase additional doll outfits from any leading brand to offer their kids a special gift and a great alternative to gadgets.
With included feeding bottles, kids can even ensure the dolls are properly fed at lunchtime. Of course, there is no actual liquid in the bottles and they are colored just so it looks like there is. Nicely packaged, the dolls also represent a great gift idea.
Pros
- Offers two twin dolls in a set
- Included feeding bottles
- Outfits are made with 3 pieces
- Lead-free manufacturing
Cons
- Bottles could have liquids inside
9. JC Toys La Baby 16-inch Purple Washable Soft Baby Doll
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With a soft touch vinyl design, the doll is perfect for all day hugs. As many kids expect from the manufacturer, the eyes remain open as well. The lifelike doll is one of the true designs to make kids more aware of how babies are handled as a result.
Pros
- Made with soft materials
- Designed with a washable outfit
- Realistically-placed wrinkles
- Based on 3 decades of manufacturing history
Cons
- Not suitable for newborns
10. Cabbage Patch Kids Official Newborn Baby Doll Girl
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With unique features such as the capacity to suck its thumbs, the doll is very lifelike. It comes with a signature Cabbage Patch scent but it can be used by all kids of age 1 and above. The doll can even be a top choice for kids who want to play with friends and learn more about babies.
Pros
- Made with a distinct newborn outfit
- Features a Cabbage Patch scent
- Designed to suck its thumb
- Suitable for ages 1 and above
Cons
- The packaging is a simple plastic bag
11. JC Toys Berenguer Boutique 15" Soft Body Baby Doll
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Made with a soft body, the doll is practically made for hugging. Cuddling with their favorite doll can be one of the favorite activities children have. Furthermore, it comes with a complete list of feeding accessories. They are mainly suitable for lunch time and dinner time. But kids can also learn more about feeding their doll from a bottle.
Pros
- Made with a soft body
- Comes with a pack of feeding accessories
- Dressed in a 3-piece outfit
- Slightly larger at 15”
Cons
- Only for kids 2 and up
12. Penson & Co. Reborn Newborn Baby Realike Doll
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The body of the doll is made with added weight. It gives it a more realistic feel and one of the distinct friendly bodies for kids to hold and hug for the entire day. Since the doll is likely to be hugged for days in a row, it might need a bit of cleaning from time to time. It’s reassuring to know that kids or even parents can actually wipe the doll clean with a few wet wipes or with simple clean water.
Made with full body silicone vinyl, the doll is one of the friendliest to the touch. The material is not unique to Penson & Co as it is used by a number of brands. This, however, is proof of its versatility and durability.
Pros
- Made with a friendly sleeping face
- Weighted torso design
- Suitable for boys and girls
- Great as a collectible
Cons
- Lightweight for some kids
13. JC Toys 13-Inch Baby Soft Doll Soft Body Twins Designed by Berenguer
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With pink and blue outfits, the dolls are easy to differentiate. Of course, parents can even purchase additional outfits to make their kids more involved in how dolls are cared for. Both outfits are machine washable and they will need to be washed from time to time as kids carry them around the house and place them on floors.
The dolls themselves can also be easily cleaned. They are among the simplest from this perspective and both silicone and vinyl are actually very easy to clean. Minimum attention is required, especially when it comes to avoiding harsh cleaning solutions.
Pros
- Soft body materials
- Quick to clean
- Two dolls with 2 outfits
- 13” small size for both dolls
Cons
- Not additional outfits included
14. Dolls to Play Baby Doll Car Seat with Toy Accessories
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Shipped with a small and realistic care seat, the doll can come on all family drives with the car. Kids can tuck the dolls in the car seat and even secure them with a 3-point harness. There is a traveling bag with extra goodies which is shipped as well. It might just be one of the most complete sets for traveling dolls.
With different feeding accessories, kids can play with the doll while traveling ensuring that feeding time is never skipped. The doll itself is 12” tall so this means it is quite small. When reaching the destination, kids can remove it from the car seat and enjoy playtime as with any other baby doll.
Pros
- Ships with a small car seat
- Teaches kids about car journey safety
- Offers a travel bag and accessories
- Available in different skin tones
Cons
- Not suitable for ISOFIX
15. Adora Sweet Baby Girl Doll Washable Soft Body
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At a size of just 11”, the doll is very easy to carry around. Children can play with it at home, at the kindergarten or on weekends away from home. The clothes of the doll are machine washable. Kids can learn how to wash the clothes together with their mums and get a better understanding of what makes clothes clean.
With movable limbs and a soft vinyl touch, the doll is huggable every day. Its cute face will also make kids relate to it faster. Free from BPA and allergens, the doll can offer friendly hugs as many times as kids want through the day.
Pros
- Dressed in machine-washable clothes
- Free from allergens
- Safety tested materials design
- Made with large blue eyes
Cons
- Limbs could be more flexible
16. Baby Magic Doll Bath Caddy Baby
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Little girls can take their time enjoying the little baby doll and ensuring it clean and smelling good bathing it. While there are many dolls which can be washed, having a special kit with cleaning products can make kids even more interested in imaginative playtime.
Pros
- Made with durable materials
- Ships with a caddy
- Includes bottles and a washcloth
- The set comes with a rubber duck
Cons
- Small doll at 8”
17. Baby Sweetheart by Battat Newborn Baby Doll
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There are a few other accessories which are packed together with the doll. Kids will receive a pacifier and even a transmitter and a receiver in order to get used to the baby monitoring system. Furthermore, kids also get a simple storybook with the doll. Parents can start practicing their story-reading skills which play an important role in the way they relate to their kids.
Pros
- Made with movable arms and legs
- Includes a baby monitor and a receiver
- Ships with a pacifier
- Comes with a storybook
Cons
- Not suitable for full baths
18. Adora Adoption Handsome Baby Doll
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There are a few characteristics which go beyond the certificate of adoption which is a one-time accessory to present children. The actual doll comes with open/close eye functionality. With a fresh baby powder scent and even an included hospital bracelet, kids can learn a thing or two about babies. An essential part of baby care includes changing clothes. This is why the doll comes with removable clothing, mainly suitable for practice.
Pros
- Includes a certificate of adoption
- Includes a microfiber blanket
- The doll comes with an open/close eyes design
- Scented with baby powder
Cons
- Only suitable for ages 3 and up
19. Cry Babies Coney Doll
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Helping children develop motor skills, the baby doll comes as a full learning toy. Its clothes can be removed and washed together with the laundry so that kids get to learn the basics of baby care. Washing the doll is also possible to ensure it is clear of dirt and that it always smells good.
Made by a company with doll manufacturing experience going back to 1916, the doll is truly friendly by design. Its soft texture will motivate kids to hug her all day long.
Pros
- Dressed in a full summer outfit
- Larger than most baby dolls at 13”
- Suitable for kids as young as 1
- Backed by a lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Fixed arms design
20. Luvabella Blonde Hair Interactive Baby Doll
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Apart from the doll, kids will also find a few accessories in the pack. They include a feeding bottle, a feeding spoon, and a pacifier. Kids can be though how to feed the doll and also how to talk to her in order to enrich her vocabulary. With realistic facial expressions, the doll is among the top choices in its class for an added element of trust.
Pros
- Made with a talk function
- Designed with realistic facial expressions
- Includes feeding accessories
- Integrates a vocabulary of 100 words
Cons
- Closing eyes design can be improved
21. Baby Alive Potty Dance Baby: Talking Baby Doll
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One of the crucial activities for baby dolls comes with bath time. But the doll can even go potty which allows kids to better understand how they should go potty as well. A few accessories such as the small hand soap dispenser can help kids learn about basic hygiene as well.
Pros
- Comes with a long list of accessories
- Able to talk and use 50 common phrases
- Includes accessories for potty training
- Speak to mommy or daddy
Cons
- Only suitable for kids 3 and up
22. Baby Alive Luv 'n Snuggle Baby Doll Blond
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Apart from its cute face, the baby doll also comes with a feeding bottle. The bottle is small and kids need to be told not to use it in other purposes, just as with other small toys. Suitable for kids of 18 months and up, the baby doll comes in distinct clear packaging. Wrapping it as a gift is easy as a result.
With a plush soft body, the doll is a hug-friendly design, perfect for young kids. But its outfit is not actually removable. This is why kids will mostly stick to hugging and feeding during play time.
Pros
- Compact size suitable for small kids
- Thumb gets in doll’s mouth
- Comes with a feeding bottle
- Suitable for ages as young as 18 months
Cons
- Outfit can’t be changed
23. Baby Alive Face Paint Fairy
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Using ice water, kids can draw on the doll’s face. The good news is these drawings quickly and magically disappear simply by wiping them with warm hands. Dressed in a distinct fairy outfit, the doll has a special appeal to girls who are already familiar with fairies from cartoons or from movies.
With accessories such as a feeding bottle, a diaper, a set of wings and a fairy wand, the doll can be the base for hours of fun. Kids can even make the doll the center point of a party as it can be drawn on and played with together with all the accessories included in the pack.
Pros
- Distinct fairy design
- Comes with a fairy wand
- Can be drawn on with ice water
- Designed with fairy wings
Cons
- No travel bag included for accessories
24. Melissa & Doug Mine to Love Mariana 12-Inch Baby Doll
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The romper and the bonnet can be removed and kids can actually wipe the doll clean. With movable arms and legs, the doll can also be laid to sleep or made to sit and watch TV with the kids. With an experience of over 3 decades in toy making, Melissa & Doug have also made the doll soft, so that kids actually enjoy hugging it.
Pros
- Dressed in a white romper and bonnet
- Designed with movable legs
- Sucks her thumb
- Sparks playtime creativity
Cons
- The outfit can get dirty quickly
25. Baby Alive Sweet Spoonfuls Baby Doll Girl
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With movable arms and legs, the doll can also be put on the child’s high chair at the table for feeding time. Kids can use a makeshift food processor or a feeding bottle to ensure the doll is never hungry. Feeding the doll with the spoon is easy and kids can actually use a makeshift food processor in order to prepare the food before feeding. With a cute face, the compact doll is even one of the rare designs which come with hair which can be combed.
Pros
- Made with a compact size
- Includes diapers
- Comes with feeding accessories
- Includes feeding ingredients
Cons
- Only made for kids 3 and up
26. Corolle Mon Premier Poupon Bebe Calin
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With a soft bean-filled body, the doll represents a huggable design. It comes as one of the best solutions for kids who prefer to sleep with their dolls. Since it comes with an outfit which covers most of its body, the doll is perfectly huggable even during sleeping time.
Pros
- Made with realistic eyes
- Dressed in an original outfit
- Opens and closes eyes
- Available in different outfits
Cons
- Too many logo prints
27. Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Peach Soft First Baby Doll
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For example, the pacifier is actually held in place by a magnet. But the doll also comes with a removable outfit, perfect for kids to actually learn how to dress and undress themselves as well.
Pros
- Made with soft textile fabrics
- Included magnetic pacifier
- Designed with lifelike toes
- Made with a removable outfit
Cons
- Large for some kids at 15”
28. Dolls to Play Doll With Clothes Set
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But Dolls to Play offers such an option. It is why kids can dress her and undress her as many times as they want. There are 4 outfits to consider and they are suitable for daytime activities or for sleeping time. All outfits are safe to wash in the washing machine together with the rest of the clothes.
Pros
- Offers 4 main outfits
- Includes accessories for activities
- Can improve child development
- Designed with removable shoes
Cons
- Not the most affordable doll
29. Baby's First Giraffe Sing & Learn Singing Baby Doll
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It represents one of the most efficient solutions for teaching at a young age. Apart from its educational purpose, it also comes in a hilarious outfit which will make kids giggle whenever they see her.
Pros
- Sings ABC’s
- Dressed in a funny outfit
- Designed to smile at all times
- Suitable for kids 1 and up
Cons
- Small for kids 3 and up
30. Baby's First Kisses Kisses Baby Doll
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Unlike other vinyl toys, the baby doll is actually made with softer materials which are a top choice for hugging friendliness. There are no accessories and no small parts to worry about in the pack. As a result, kids as young as 1 can actually play with it.
The hypoallergenic doll is also a safe design for kids with various allergies. However, as with all toys in this situation, the doll should be actually free from dust and store in a space where dust mites are not an issue to protect kids with allergies.
Pros
- Made with a soft body
- Machine-washable design
- Made for babies 1 and up
- Available in white and black
Cons
- Outfit can’t be changed
Final words
Some of the best baby dolls of the moment are made to a high standard of credibility. They are safer and better made than ever before. In fact, kids can play with them in various ways. From feeding the dolls to actually bathing them, there are different activities to consider.
With different sizes and designs, the dolls can also fit distinct personalities. However, having a friendly and lifelike design as well as a soft construction can lead to plenty of hugs and to an inspired gift to kids which can be even as young as 1 if the doll is small enough.