How difficult is it to dress Barbies?

[BROWNBANANABITS]

Hope this question makes sense!

DD is 3, and loves dolls. For Christmas she asked for, and received, a load of Barbie style Disney princess dolls. She really wants to be able to undress and dress them, but it's really difficult, even for me! The Elsa doll in particular has a dress with really annoying sleeves which catch on the doll's fingers, plus the shape of the doll and the fitted dress makes it a real struggle.

I'm tempted to buy her a few real Barbies, as I get the impression that they're more designed to be manipulated by small hands - is that correct? It seems like potentially a really good fine motor skills exercise? But if they'll just be the same I won't bother as I don't really want a house full of plastic tat 😬

Thanks!

Follow up question: how problematic do you think the Aqua Barbie girl song is for a 3yo? I made the mistake of playing it for her once, having forgotten the lyrics, and now she keeps asking Alexa for it 😫. Obvs she has no understanding of what some of it implies. Should I ban it from Alexa (I presume there is a way to do this...)

Barbie clothes are quite fiddly because they are very small. It is a lot easier to take the clothes off Barbie than it is to put them on. That's how you end up with a box of naked ones 😂
A bigger doll like the Argos Design a Friend might be easier.

I put the dresses on without the sleeves. My daughter doesn't seem to mind that there are always sleeves under the armpit. I have to take it off the next minute anyway.

Can you find somebody who will make you some easier clothes for the dolls you have. I've made knitted clothes that are easy to put on like sleeveless dresses, waistcoats, skirts, trousers even knickers. Knitting is easier for little fingers to get on and off due to its stretchability and you can adjust the fastenings to what the child can manage such as only one large button at the neck for them to practise on or elasticated waists. I'm sure somebody who sews could do similar but as you can see by my user name I'm a knitter🙂

Thank you! Good tips!