With the Barbie movie releasing very soon, Barbie toys are on fire, and we love that for her. Because giving your kid the gift of Barbie toys is giving them an entire world to play with. The iconic toy is more diverse than ever, with different body shapes, abilities, gender representations, and styles. And that change is wonderful if you consider the outsized impact Barbie has on kids growing up.
I was chatting with my coworkers about their love of Barbie growing up, and it’s equal parts heartwarming and hilarious. For example, Kori Williams, one of our content strategists often received Barbies as gifts growing up, and she says that “they were one of the only toys I really played with. Looking back they were such a creative outlet.” She also admitted to creating a bit of a rivalry between her Barbies and her Bratz dolls, which I appreciate. Our senior digital art director, Bridget Clegg, used to turn a closet into a whole world of Barbie, even making elevators for her dolls. Her parents have kept a ton of her and her sister’s Barbies to this day. Another coworker of mine who shall not be named admitted that Barbie may have been his first crush. And as for me, I bought my daughter so many Barbies, and the scenarios she came up with for them rivaled any telenovela.
Needless to say, we're all enamored with Barbie toys, and with all the new styles, there's a lot to love and will be gifting them to the kids in our lives. Here's a sampling of our favorites.
1
Best Barbie Van
Barbie Big City, Big Dreams Transforming Vehicle Playset
1
Best Barbie Van
Barbie Big City, Big Dreams Transforming Vehicle Playset
It's the van I always dreamed of as a child. The Big City Big Dreams Barbie play set magically turns into a stage for Barbie and friends to perform upon, with seats, drum set, speaker and turntable, microphones, snacks, backstage passes, and iPhone accessories. Plus, it all stores right inside of the van, which makes a whole lot less mess for parents.
You knew I had to add movie Barbies, right? And Ryan Gosling has never looked more perfect. It’s completely ridiculous, and I’m not sure what his point is in all of this (seriously, what?), but I want one, my kid wants one, and I guarantee, so does yours.
Hi, Margot! I mean, Barbie! I hope that you know that whatever your journey is in the film, kids worldwide will inevitably erase that story and give you a backstory that's even more fantastic than you could've imagined. Watch the movie and then come home and play with this doll.
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4
Build It, Barbie
Mega Collector DreamHouse Replica With 1,795 Pieces
4
Build It, Barbie
Mega Collector DreamHouse Replica With 1,795 Pieces
Build your own Barbie DreamHouse! Can you even handle how awesome that is? I cannot. Yes, it's based on the movie, but it includes four buildable micro-dolls, one Barbie, one Ken and two fashion mannequins. All of the fabulous parties are implied, but not included. (Party at Barbie's!)
Barbie may call this Barbie “Extra,” but I think she’s just right. The rainbow faux-fur coat, the puppy with star sunglasses, the bags, the metallic booties, the socks, all of it. She’s perfect.
Also, can we talk about the sport socks with heels? I wonder if I could rock that look.
The 2023 DreamHouse is wilder than ever before. It has three stories, 75 pieces, a two-story slide, a pool, a swing, a smaller puppy slide, a puppy, a palm tree, and the coolest elevator the DreamHouse has ever seen. I want to live in this house even though it’s electric pink and I’m an adult who was a goth teen.
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7
Representation Matters
Barbie Chelsea Doll & Wheelchair with Moving Wheels
7
Representation Matters
Barbie Chelsea Doll & Wheelchair with Moving Wheels
Everyone deserves to feel represented. This Chelsea doll uses a wheelchair, and she looks fabulous doing it. She comes with a ramp, stickers, and her awesome pastel outfit. And yes, she fits in all regular Chelsea outfits.
As someone who lives with a disability every day, I can't tell you how much I love this Barbie.
Barbie, but make it a surprise unboxing. This doll is not only in a fun bunny costume, but she includes 10 blind surprises for your child to unveil. It brings a level of spontaneous excitement to doll not particularly known for it. Plus, she comes with a mini bunny of her own.
This is not the first time Barbie has gone camping, but it is the first time that I wished her sleeping bag came in bigger sizes. Seriously, how fun is that mummy bag? Also, her backpack is on-trend. The whole look is fabulous, really.
It's also an affordable complete set. You get Barbie, her little dog, the sleeping bag, and a backpack filled with camping goodies like a flashlight, sunglasses, and visor.
Bumper cars? A ferris wheel? Balloons? Count us in, Chelsea!
This is a lot of set for just over $17. Barbie is working hard to make their dolls affordable to as many people as possible, and this oversized set proves it. Plus, if you have another Chelsea doll, she could fit in the second bumper car for maximum play.
It has a silly portrait board, balloon center, two bumper cars, ferris wheel, and game booth for your carnival playtime.
Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, in all sorts of levels of difference. This Barbie celebrates the difference instead of hiding it. Interior Design Barbie has an above-the-knee prosthesis, and she's proud to show it off. What a great way to start a conversation with your kids about limb difference. And now, we've even got a Barbie that has down syndrome.
Totally Hair dolls are totally the best. This one is off-the-charts cool with a pink and purple pony made to be styled. You can use the barrettes, comb, and scrunchies to make your doll the belle of the ball.
Hide the scissors before you give your kids this one, so you don’t have to break the inevitable bad news. “No, it won’t grow back, honey.”
Yes, they look a little like they're about to star in their own Bravo series about a high-powered couple in real estate that never actually sells a single house, but that's not the point. The point is that with the new movie coming out with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, this is going to be the set to have.
This is a fairly simple two-doll pack, but their style is impeccable, and his look is almost too funny to ignore. He takes his pictures very seriously.
As a parenting editor, I cannot condone Dr. Barbie having a baby up on a high surface and then walking away from that baby, but we can pretend that baby is strapped down, somehow.
An entire pediatrician's office for under $20 is a great deal, and it's no wonder she is so popular, garnering more than 1,000 five-star reviews.
15
Barbie's Convertible
Barbie Extra Vehicle — Sparkly Silver 2-Seater Car With Rolling Wheels
15
Barbie's Convertible
Barbie Extra Vehicle — Sparkly Silver 2-Seater Car With Rolling Wheels
Buckle up, Buttercup, Barbie is going for a ride in her new wheels. Arguably the snazziest Barbie convertible ever, this shiny silver coupe is ready to hit the road, or your hallway.
Barbie is prepared for anything, because the car comes with a change of clothes, her pup, and an innertube for hitting the beach.
If you have trypophobia like I do, this is definitely not the toy for your kids. But if holes don't freak you out and cause your skin to break out in goosebumps and shivers, then your little one might love this unicorn that lights up and makes noises, ready for Barbie to ride.
Fashion Plates never get old. Mix and match the fashions, shade over them with the included pencils, and you're off to the races. Show your kids how you made Barbie outfits before virtual clothing that you have to pay for in a virtual land became a thing.
Of course, after the last few years we’ve had, an Urgent Care Barbie makes sense. Dr. Barbie’s whole clinic is ready to see patients give flu shots — and maybe, just maybe, make the entire thing a little less scary and a lot more interesting for our kids when it’s their time to hit up the clinic.
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19
Most Creative
Barbie Deluxe 20-Piece Glitter and Go Styling Head
19
Most Creative
Barbie Deluxe 20-Piece Glitter and Go Styling Head
I am absolutely in love with this new styling head Barbie toy. It’s serving real “I follow the trends, and hopefully, my tiny owner doesn’t shave my head” vibes, and I’m here for it. One of our senior editors, who has massive experience as a beauty editor, Eunice Lee, told me that Barbie is her origin story. And really? I get it.
This Barbie toy comes with a ton of accessories, hairbrushes, combs, and styling tools to spark your small stylist’s creative flow.
20
Surprise Barbies
Barbie Color Reveal Mermaid Doll With 7 Unboxing Surprises
20
Surprise Barbies
Barbie Color Reveal Mermaid Doll With 7 Unboxing Surprises
We regret to inform you that color reveal and surprise toys aren't going anywhere any time soon. Kids just love them way too much. With this Barbie toy, your little one simply dunks their doll in a bath of warm water to reveal her skin tone, eye color, and bodice.
Barbie's color change dolls each come with seven surprises. Some dolls have fun skirts and earrings, some with hair accessories. The bottom line is that for under $20, your child isn't just getting a doll — they're getting an experience.
Cat Bowen has been writing about all things parenting for well over a decade. She spends her days researching, reviewing, and testing everything from strollers to breast pumps to changing tables. Her work has been featured in Romper, Bustle, and franchised across dozens of media outlets. In her spare time she loves volunteering at her kids' schools, reading everything she can get her hands on, running, and cooking for her family.