Best interactive doll recommendations please?

[Binsella]

DD’s aged 2 and 4 would both like an interactive doll, but I don’t have any idea on the best one to get. Have had a brief look at the Luvabella Mealtime Magic dolls, but are they worth the £? Any recommendations appreciated, thank you.



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[Lostandlonely2020]

No I’m my experience daughter is now 7 and we have been through mutiple interactive dolls which are basically a novelty and end up sitting somewhere never to be used

She 100 percent always preferred her baby born to bath and her tiny treasures. Clothing them / feeding them putting them to bed etc changing their nappy.
The interactive ones always lost their play value and wasn’t as easy to just do imaginative play with.

[Duanphen]

100% just don't. Or buy a very cheap one so they can get bored of it and you can resell or donate.

Nothing gets tossed aside quicker than a toy with some noisy single gimmick. Once the doll says 'mama' or 'I shit meself' (seriously half the dolls on the market are about poo), little kids seem unable to imagine the doll saying anything else.

Simpler toys get played with. They're the ones that come back out time and time again.

[Binsella]

Thanks for your replies, I did have some doubts about them, especially when I saw the prices...!

I think I’ll pick some cheaper basic dolls up but get some extra accessories instead.

[UndertheCedartree]

My DD loves the Baby alive dolls. She is 8 now and has played non-stop with them since she was 5. There are lots of different ones from fairly cheap to pretty expensive. If you are looking for dolls clothes I use Frilly Lilly - they have some lovely things.

[FatGirlShrinking]

Working on the same basis as PPs but having a 6 yo who is ADAMENT she wants a talking doll we've bought a cheap one for Xmas. It was about £30 on sale on Amazon - 'Baby Alive Real As Can Be'

Apparently:

• Doll has over 80 lifelike expressions, movements and real baby sounds
• She turns when called, naps when rocked, wiggles and giggles when tickled
• She babbles back
• Doll makes sweet feeding and sucking sounds when given a pacifier or bottle

She's already got a cot and high chair for her non-interactive dolls and I'm making some clothes, a crochet blanket and some other bits for it.

[FatGirlShrinking]

Just checked my order history and we got it for £37.99, can't find it that cheap now but they do have one for £46.49


www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Alive-Real-Brown-Sculpted/dp/B07HLQVBJ8?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[user27378]

Kind of agree with PP's. I have a baby doll loving 7 year old. Her first doll at 3 was a Baby Annabel (version before the current one) and she liked it but only played with it occasionally so I was doubtful when she asked for a Baby Born. But that Baby Born was worth every penny, favourite toy she's ever had and has been on many days out and holidays with us and every birthday and Christmas has wanted more Baby Born dolls or accessories. Last year she asked for a Reborn doll but I managed to convince her she wanted a Tiny Treasures doll (reborn style but an actual toy) which has also had a lot of love and play value but Baby Born is still her favourite. She asks for a doll every birthday and Christmas and I've suggested interactive ones a few times (Baby Annabel's head fell off a long way back ) and she's always been reluctant and asked for more Baby Borns instead (she has a second boy Baby Born she also plays with a lot but I've put my foot down for more!). This year she decided she did actually want Luvabella newborn but I noticed they were being discontinued and Mealtime Magic was coming out and she was over the moon when I showed her it. Her favourite thing to do with Baby Born is to feed it so I hope this will have a lot of play value.

So my personal opinion is Baby Born although way overpriced for a plain hard bodied doll, gets the most play because it is open ended and can be used in the bath and the swimming pool and can be fed and it can wee. It is easier to find clothes for (fits tiny baby). But if your dd's are asking for a truly interactive/talking doll I would go with Baby Alive, because they are much more affordable. There are a few versions that talk. We have a Super Snackin Lily (you can feed it playdoh but it doesn't talk) that is well loved and also have a talking own we got from a charity shop. My dd likes that one too, though doesn't use the interactive features much. Maybe get one DD a Baby Born and one a cheaper interactive one like Baby Alive?

Baby Annabel do an interactive feeding table that is compatible with all dolls.

[user27378]

I'd be inclined to go with Baby Alive Lil Sounds rather than an animatronic expensive one like Real as Can be. The Lil Sounds one is simple and only £14.99

[sparkle17]

Great tips here

What is a good hard bodied doll with hair?

[Binsella]

Thanks for all the detailed advice everyone! I had no idea there were so many different types! DD’s are still going on about them this morning so I think I’ll buy them a cheaper one each, see whether they get played with much. If they love them we can upgrade on their birthdays.

[NameChange30]

I bought this for DS, it's a bit annoying but was only £30 so not too bad
www.elc.co.uk/dolls/Elli-Smiles-43cm-Doll/p/541914

[Binsella]

Oh and we’re going with a baby alive lil sounds, picked up from Amazon for a very reasonable price of £16. They look quite cute actually, I’m pleased with them, hope they look as good once they arrive! If the girls don’t like them or don’t play with them, it will be a lot less annoying at that price than if I’d picked up the Luvabella’s at £60! So thanks everyone.

[user27378]

Glad to be of some help from my long rambly message. The Lil Sounds dolls do look very sweet and the perfect mix of interactive but more robust and open ended than the more expensive ones.

@sparkle17 Baby Born have a big sister and brother range that is basically a Baby Born with hair, they do everything except wee (they drink and cry years though). Same size as standard Baby Born so fit all the same clothes. However, they are expensive at £40-50, but you might be able to find a deal somewhere.

[user27378]

@sparkle17 I've actually just checked and Smyth's have a good deal on them now. I'd be tempted for my dd but I've already got her the new Luvabella.