Toys & Hobbies

Toy dolls are practically a staple in every little girl's, and many boy's, toy boxes. Dolls are a classic toy that, even when updated, will always be appealing to children of all ages.

Classic Dolls

A baby doll is perhaps one of the most classic dolls. The baby doll is a fun, nurturing toy for children of all ages. Many parents also use baby dolls to introduce a child to the concept of a new sibling. Two good choices include:

• The Rosy Cheeks Baby from North American Bear Co.: This doll comes in several hair colors and skin tones. There are both girl and boy dolls, making this a great choice for either gender.
• Baby Stella Dolls from Manhattan Toy: Baby Stella dolls come with or without hair in blonde or brunette, with varying skin tones. Baby Stella also comes in a boy version.

Classic dolls don't have to be babies. Older kids will enjoy playing with these two classic dolls:

• Raggedy Ann and Andy: These classic dolls are a great choice for parents to give their children or as a gift from grandparents to grandchildren.
• Cabbage Patch Kids: While they are no longer the hottest toy on the market, Cabbage Patch Kids continue to be popular dolls for both boys and girls. Look for one that reflects your child's looks or who shares the same name.

Dress Up Dolls

Dress up dolls let children enjoy mixing and matching various outfits to create a new look for their special friend.

• Melissa & Doug Magnetic Dress Up Dolls: Melissa & Doug makes a line of wooden dress up dolls that are based on traditional paper dolls. Girls can dress up their favorite characters by attaching magnetic wooden outfits. The dolls are packaged in a wooden storage tray that keeps everything neatly organized when the child is done playing.
• Favorite Storybook Characters Paper Dolls: These classic paper dolls are a wonderful way to encourage a young child to develop a love of reading. The set features iconic children's book characters such as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz and Wendy Darling from Peter Pan.
• One Step Ahead Dress Up Doll: This doll teaches toddlers important self dressing skills by providing several buttons, zippers, and fasteners on the doll's outfit. Both boy and girl dolls are available.

interactive Dolls

Interactive dolls add an element of excitement to playtime. Children can feed and change the dolls or even help the dolls learn to "walk." Consider these two lines of interactive dolls:

• Baby Alive by Hasbro: Baby Alive also has a number of different versions that interact with your child. Most of them eat and need diaper changes, along with saying a number of different phrases. There is even a version that has teething pains!
• Little Mommy by Mattel: The Little Mommy line has several different dolls to choose amongst, each with their own special actions. The Hide & Peek doll plays the game of the same name and says cute phrases. The Walk & Giggle doll goes from sitting to walking. Play All Day dolls respond to movement with different phrases.

Fashion Dolls

Fashion dolls are the staple of many older girl's play things. While some parents may not like the message these dolls send, they continue to be popular with girls. Three well-known lines include:

• Barbie: This beloved beauty continues to reach for the stars, as she takes on numerous careers, movie/storybook characters and other roles.
• Bratz: The Bratz dolls have exaggerated features and are a trendy alternative to the traditional Barbie dolls.
• Monster High: These dolls are modeled as being relatives of famous monsters in fiction, such as vampires, werewolves and more. They are perfect for a girl who wants a doll that's not "too" girly.

More Popular Dolls

There are almost as many lines and types of dolls as there are girls in the world. Try one of these lines of dolls for your daughter, niece or friend:

• Disney Princess: These dolls are modeled after the famous princesses in the Disney movies, like Ariel and Belle.
• Madame Alexander: The collectible company also offers lines of play and baby dolls for girls who are fans of the more precious versions.
• American Girl Dolls: Most of these dolls are based on historical characters whose stories are depicted in books. However, the line has expanded to cover babies, twins and the My American Girl line, which are dolls that are partially created by the buyer.

Dolls Are Forever Friends

A toy doll is a special gift for any little girl or boy. They will not only be treasured toys, but treasured friends, in a child's life.

Play School has welcomed a new Aboriginal toy to its soft and cuddly cast, introducing the doll to the show in an Acknowledgement of Country special.

Her debut episode aired on Monday to mark the beginning of NAIDOC Week, and saw her star alongside presenters Luke Carroll, Miranda Tapsell and Hunter Page-Lochard.

The history-making episode was the first time the show had featured a line-up of all Indigenous presenters, with the entire episode also being dedicated to Indigenous culture and highlighting the importance of caring for Country together.

What do we know about the new doll?

The doll's name is Kiya, which means "hello" in Noongar language.

Kiya is from Noongar country, which is in the southern corner of Western Australia.

Its boundary begins on the west coast at a point north of Jurien Bay, stretches east to a point north of Moora and then goes south-east down to the coastline between Bremer Bay and Esperance.

Noongar country is one of the largest Indigenous cultural blocks in Australia, consisting of 14 language groups.

New toys are rarely introduced to Play School. Joey the joey was the last one in 2016, for Play School's 50th anniversary.

Play School has featured Aboriginal toys before, such as Jim in 1985, who is now retired, and Dan from 2007, who is still on the show.

Kiya is a modern representation with connection to land, being a Noongar girl — this is a first.

She will be a regular on the show, joining the likes of Big Ted, Little Ted, Humpty and Jemima, along with the rest of the Play School favourites.

The story behind Kiya's creation

Kiya was created in collaboration with Play School, the ABC's Indigenous unit and Western Australian company Awe & Wonder.

Aboriginal early childhood consultant and adviser Jessica Staines and early childhood education consultant and adviser Dr Ruby Scarlet also assisted and were advisers and script outliners for Monday's special episode.

During the design process, it was decided Kiya should have a strong connection to Country and be reflective of contemporary identities that Indigenous children have today.

Kiya's community's connection to the ocean was a big part of the design process of her dress, made with fabric designed by artist Kiya Watt.

"The ocean has strong connection to Menang Noongars," Ms Watt said.

"The symbols and dots throughout the middle represent the strong spirit and movements of the ocean.

"The dark blue lines outlined with white dots show the waterholes [ngamar] where we would fish from to provide food for our families.

"The ocean, like boodjah [land], is our mother and we must honour and protect, and only fish enough to provide for our family."

'It's time that we had Kiya'

Tapsell said it was an honour to be part of Kiya's debut episode, which also served as a celebration of Indigenous culture.

But, she told the ABC that talking about Australia's relationship with its Indigenous peoples has "always been a tough conversation".

The best way to bring a spotlight to those conversations has been through art and Play School has been one of those wonderful institutions that has just always weaved Indigenous culture, song and identity into its space," she said.

"New Zealand has had Manu the Maori doll since 1972, so it's only fitting that it's time that we had Kiya."

Manu was described as a main character on the New Zealand iteration of Play School, which was produced between 1972 and 1990.

She replaced a West Indian doll when the British Play School format was adapted for local screens