It is said that Demi Moore, a well-known actress, has an entire house devoted to dolls. Researchers believe that in prehistoric times girls might have played with dolls made of fur and ivory. Wooden and pottery dolls, probably made in 2000 BC, have been found in Egyptian tombs that suggests the captivating effect of dolls on mankind from time immemorial.
Types of dolls you can choose from
When talking about dolls, there are many types to choose from.
Baby dolls – Younger children are sure to like these soft and cuddly dolls. Their stable design makes them a practical choice for everyday use.
Barbie – These have the distinction of being the number one dolls in the world for girls. Their popularity is so much that they been customised to reflect various cultures of the world. Barbie Diaries - Barbie Doll With Guitar comes with a charm bracelet and a unique diary. My Scene - Teen Tees Barbie Doll has her own selection of funky accessories.
Bratz – Released in 2001, these dolls became famous worldwide and were serious competition for the Barbie dolls. Bratz Itsy Bitsy Safety Pin Racer with Doll has an attractive looking car. Bratz Princess Doll with Accessories – Assorted is considered timeless doll that emphasise on an attitude of celebrating independence.
Collectible dolls – Rarely bought for play, collectible dolls are exceptionally beautiful. The term generally applies to dolls made 25 to 77 years ago.
Doll clothes and accessories – Dolls usually come with their own clothes and accessories such as dollhouses and vehicles. You can also buy some accessories, such as hats and gloves later. Bratz Feeling Pretty Dolls with Accessories are the latest in Bratz fashion.
Doll houses and furniture – The first dollhouse was made by Albert, Duke of Bavaria, approximately between 1550 and 1579 AD, which was basically a replica of his own house. Nowadays, trendy dollhouses made of wood or plastic are in demand. Toy Workshop Large Dolls House + Free Family Car is modelled after a traditional Georgian style English House and comes with a zippy car. Bratz Doll House - Passion for Fashion House is an amazing house that includes a hot tub and a smoothie bar.
Doll vehicles – These are generally miniature versions of real life vehicles, which are very popular even with adults. In fact, ancient Greek vases feature images of 2-wheeled carts.
Dolls playsets – Playsets are miniature worlds, which allow children to be creative. As playsets allow kids to be in control and to make decisions, it is widely believed that they encourage early role-play in a kid’s development stage.
Ethnic dolls – Dolls that reflect the dress and culture of a distinctive group of people sharing a common heritage. For instance, Chinese dolls have straight hair and are light skinned, while Ethiopian dolls have dark tightly curled hair and have dark skin.
Horses & animals dolls – In contemporary times, girls and boys are familiar only with household pets as animals. Animal dolls are useful to introduce children to wild animals such as horses and lions. Papo Plume Knight and Horse Red is a model of a daring knight with drawn sword on the way to battle.
Interactive dolls – Dolls that respond to the touch or voice of a child are known as interactive dolls. The latest dolls come with voice recognition technology pre-installed, so as to conduct dialogues. Wonderful Girl Doll – Large will make you feel like the most special parent on earth.
Rag dolls – One of the most ancient toys, a rag doll was traditionally home made. Nowadays rag dolls made in factories feature patchwork clothing and simple features. Rag Doll Girl and Rag Doll Boy are made from the softest plush.
Ways to take care of your dolls
Although contemporary dolls are quite sturdy, they do require care and maintenance to make sure that you play with them for a longer duration. If you preserve your doll long enough, it might eventually become a treasured collector’s item.
It is advisable to display dolls in glass or plastic display cases to keep your doll clean and dust free.
Use a soft brush to dust your dolls on a regular basis.
Avoid keeping your doll in places that may be exposed to extreme temperature or humidity changes. Especially avoid keeping dolls in water. Try to keep dolls away from direct sunlight as far as possible, as exposure to sunlight may fade the colours on the clothing and material used to create the doll. Keeping dolls at room temperature is preferable.
One good way of storing your doll safely is to wrap them carefully in tissue paper to avoid direct light. It is advisable not to store vinyl dolls in plastic bags or boxes. Do not use harsh chemicals, abrasives or sharp objects on your doll.
To clean a porcelain doll, use a soft towel or brush. To clean surface dirt on a composition doll, use a soft cloth dipped in Vaseline.
Most doll clothes are meant for dry-cleaning only. If you need to wash a doll’s clothing, it is better to wash by hand than use a washing machine. Use a cool iron to press a doll’s dress.
Hair care and maintenance for dolls…
If a doll has synthetic hair, spray it with Fantastic or Windex, spread it through the hair and rinse off. Next, use a hair conditioner and rinse again. Now, comb the doll’s hair with a clean pet hairbrush.
If the doll has a wig of mohair or human hair, first remove the wig carefully from the doll’s head. Detangle the hair using a hairpin or an ice pick. To increase the lustre of the hair, soak the wig into a bath to which a few drops of vinegar have been added.
Use talcum powder to clean yarn and wool hair. Gently clean painted hair with a soft wet cloth or sponge.
Dolls for different ages…
At the age of 3 months, babies can be introduced to soft dolls such as Rag Doll Girl and Rag Doll Boy. Being cuddly with simple features makes them popular up to 4 years.
At the age of 2 to 3 years, kids can play with dolls made of vinyl and plastic. Barbie dolls are eternal favourites.
After the age of 3 years, kids can be introduced to doll accessories such as Le Toy Van Fairyland Fairy Carriage and Unicorn, Le Toy Van 2006 Valentine Dolls House and Toy Workshop Small Dolls House.
Dashboard Jesus Doll, My Scene - Teen Tees Madison Doll, Wonderful Boy Doll – Large, Barbie Diaries Doll and Barbie Fashion Fever Make Up Dolls are good choices for kids above the age of 5 years.
Even adults will enjoy playing with dolls. Indeed it is a well-known fact that everybody appreciates dolls as gifts. Collecting vintage dolls made of porcelain and cloth as keepsakes is a favourite pastime.
You are sure to enjoy shopping for dolls with your kids on Getprice.
|
