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Last month, my fiance visited his family in the Congo and I helped him on a shopping spree for black dolls for his nieces. But he wanted black dolls that would highlight the girls’ black features. According to his own words: “I want them to see themselves rather than raise insecurities as they play”. So we went looking for black dolls with curly hair, natural hair, braids, curves, thick lips, and all that blackness. And it wasn’t that easy to find! We only bought black Barbies (you’ll see our choices) because that’s what the girls wanted. But I saw all types of black dolls for babies, for boys, handmade, African American, for dollhouses and I selected the cutest and best ones to feature on this post.
It was such an emotional experience for me and I hope it helps normalize the fact that between brown and black there are a lot of skin tones and hair types out there. So, if you are a black mom, aunt, grandma, I hope you can find the perfect black doll for your beloved colored girl or boy. And I really wish it helps them be proud of their history, of how they look and somehow inspires them to achieve great things in life! And if you’re not black, it’s wonderful that you’re showing your child that all skin colors and hair types are beautiful, even the ones that are different from theirs.
Lokking for gifts for kids? Best Baby and Toddler Toys for Every Mood
Black Dolls For Babies & Toddlers
12.5″ Super Soft Plush Black Doll Girl by Kaloo
Toy Recommended Age: Newborn+
Photo from Maisonette
What a charming little girl, worthy of the most beautiful baby nurseries. The blush hat and the delicate dress are non-removable, making this super soft plush doll a lovely cuddly gift for any baby.
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10″ Non-Toxic Organic Egyptian Cotton Black Boy Doll by Under The Nile
Toy Recommended Age: Newborn+
Photo from Under The Nile
This cuddly cotton black boy doll is a thoughtful and unique gift for newborns. It’s made and stuffed with 100% GOTS certified organic Egyptian cotton. Also, it’s free of Azo colorants, BPA, flame retardants, formaldehyde, fragrance, PVC or lead. So the little ones can have their cute faces around their harmless best buddy from day 1.
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Manhattan Toys Baby Stella Black Dolls
Recommended Age: 1 year+
The Baby Stella is an award-winning toy and we can say that there are her colored versions in different sizes. They have the same ultra-soft cuddling plush, embroidered features, diapers, and pacifier that attaches magnetically. It’s a classic toy for babies and an adorable gift.
15″ Soft Baby Stella Brown
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12″ Soft Wee Baby Stella Brown
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The small version of Baby Stella and just as cute.
16″ Handmade African American Girl Doll in Pink Dress by TinyTotsEmbroidery
Recommended Age: 18 Months+
Photo from Etsy
Can we stop a second to appreciate how much love is in the making of this doll? She is adorable from head to toe. The pigtails with lovely pink bows, the pink floral dress with lace, and the ballet flats are enchanting. You can personalize it with the kid’s name silked on the doll chest. Finally, it goes into the washing machine and the dress is non-removable.
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14″ Realistic African Girl Baby Doll With Natural Hair by Miniland Educational
Recommended Age: 18 Months+
Photo from Scandiborn
This is a treasured gift for black toddlers. Look at her lips, nose, eyes, and hair. Miniland dolls are made in Spain and they are famous for being anatomically correct. Therefore, your little one can play and learn naturally. They are made in soft vinyl and are flexible to the touch, so kids have a much more realistic experience.
If you like Miniland dolls, you can get more different types here!
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Manhattan Toys Playdate Friends: Soft Black Dolls For Toddlers
Recommended Age: 18 Months+
These fabric dolls are a hit because they have great size, the clothes are changeable, fit the other dolls from the collection, and everything can go in the washing and drying machine. Also, they sit nicely, so the little ones can play tea time, in the playhouse and take them on outdoors adventures!
14″ Soft-Bodied Black Girl Doll Harper
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Little Harper comes with a little companion bear and it’s a thoughtful gift for toddlers who love to play pretend and cuddle for nap time.
14″ Soft-Bodied Black Boy Doll Ellis
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Ellis and his little stuffed bunny are ready to face any adventure with his new best friend. Still trying to get over the faux sherpa vest!
Black Dolls For Kids
tiny dolls & families for dollhouses, and realistic dolls with relatable black features like braided hair, natural hair, different body types,
14″ Dinkun Black Doll Tiny by Olli Ella
Recommended Age: 3+ years
Photo from Maisonette
Like everything made by Olli Ella, this adorable black doll is a conscious gift and heirloom quality! Little Tiny is made in cotton with hypoallergenic polyfill and the shoes are BPA-free. BTW, the Dinkum dolls stand on their own when wearing the shoes! They are fully poseable, the clothes come off, and they are soft to cuddle.
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Antiallergenic Black Girl Doll With Embroidered Glasses Handmade In USA by Modern Doll Studio
Recommended Age: 5+ years
Photo from Maisonette
This sweet black girl is Gwen! She is handmade in Brooklyn, NY by a husband and wife-owned small company. Her dark black complexion is a true gift for so many boys and girls out there. The company is on a mission to bring diversity to the world of high-end toys, so you’ll also find this doll in different complexions. Amazing.
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Tooth Fairy Pillow & Black Mermaid Plush Doll by Mon Ami
Recommended Age: 5+ years (or as soon as first tooth get loosen)
Photo from Maisonette
*sarcasm alert* Who knew that black kids lose their teeth too? This classy pink pillow and this adorable black mermaid are just what your little girl needs for encouragement (or at least some comfort).
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African American Doll Family of 7 by KidKraft
Recommended Age: 3+ years
Photo from Maisonette
This is a very cute African American family for dollhouses. You get grandpa, grandma, mom, dad, boy, girl, and the little baby! It’s heartwarming! The dolls have between 3″ and 7″ in height.
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Black Family For Doll House – The Family of Milo and Lyla by Djeco
Recommended Age: 3 years+
Photo from Babyshop
Djeco toys are top-notch and this traditional black family is the cutest and much-needed addition to any dollhouse.
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Winter Dream Lifelike Luxury Black Girl Doll by Adora
Recommended Age: 6+ years
Photo from Maisonette
If you are looking for a luxury Christmas or birthday gift for kids, this realistic doll will have everyone impressed. She is perfectly dressed in a very chic and girly winter outfit and accessories that come out for endless playtime.
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Black Barbie Dolls
I have the black Barbies in an exclusive category because it’s really close to my heart. It was my favorite toy growing up (mostly because it was the only toy I didn’t get shamed for liking). To the point that I’m considering starting a collection of my own. Every time I see these Barbies with dark skin, thick lips, and natural hair I feel happy for all the girls that have the chance to grow up with less inferiority complex. I believe it’s an effective way to help them focus their creative energy on their studies, careers, self-discovery, and fun rather than hating on their hair or the shape of their noses. Fighting racism is the most efficient way to change structural gaps and our girls and boys should learn that from the crib.
Veterinarian Black Barbie Doll With Natural Hair, You can be anything collection
Recommended Age: 3 years+
Photo from Target
*sarcasm alert* Black women can have well-paid professions and be successful in their careers and have their hair any way they want to? It’s an understatement to speak of the importance of this doll. The little dog and the accessories as included in the set so your little girl can play and dream away.
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Curvy Black Barbie Doll With Braids
Recommended Age: 3 years+
Photo from Target
Colorful clothes, check. Animal print, check. White slides, check (who else was obsessed with Barbie shoes and grew into a shoe lover?). Braided hair, curvier body, dark skin, check. According to the reviews, this Barbie is beautiful and the braided hair doesn’t tangle. According to my fiance’s niece, this doll is “trés jolie” (they are native in French!).
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Astronaut Black Barbie Doll With Curly Hair, You can be anything collection
Recommended Age: 3 years+
Photo from Target
As my family and I watched Sir. Richard Branson goes on the first commercial spacial flight accompanied by another man and 2 women, my niece said: I wanna fly in space too. So this black Barbie astronaut is for the little ones who, like my niece, wanna fly in space. The Space Discovery Astronaut Barbie is exclusive at Target!
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Maya Angelou Barbie Collector Edition Inspiring Black Women
Recommended Age: 3 years+
Photo from Target
I guess we should all have Maya Angelou doll at some point in life. Inspirational, critical, and one of the greatest role models for black girls in America and around the World. You might recognize the replica of the bird ring on the doll’s finger. The poet Amanda Gorman wore the same replica at the inauguration as gift from Oprah in honor of Maya Angelou.
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How I Feel About Black Dolls
Basically, if you were not born in the past 15 years and you are not white, chances are you did not grow up with a doll that looks like you. I am mixed, and I have curly hair and brown skin that changes according to sun exposure. Even though I grew up in a country that is mostly mixed I only had white references. And of course, I only had blonde dolls with straight hair. And yes, I hated my hair. Growing up in a social and cultural environment that says that who you are is ugly compared to people who are very different from you, causes lifetime harm. And that’s why representation matters.
Why Representation Matters
Only recently I’ve been able to look in the mirror and really see beauty. Growing up, I wasted a lot of my precious time simply hating on myself. I felt that my hair wasn’t good enough, then my nose, and without even realizing at the time, I was doubting how smart I was and how far I could go in my career. When I faced the corporate world, my lack of self steem and self confidence played an important role against my dreams, my aspirations and even my hard work.
And that’s why I get emotional every time I see Madam Vice President Kamala or any other black or brown woman in places I only dreamed of being but had no idea how to get there. Also, because there are so few of us in powerful positions that it’s hard to find a mentor. I never met anyone like me to show me the way and help me build strength to dodge the hardship that came my.
The more we put ourselves out there and the more we support each other, the stronger we become. And we start building a more solid ground for the little girls coming after us, just like many women built for us.
Stella
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