Right out of the box, the Adora PlayTime Baby Doll was a huge hit with both my 3-year-old daughter and my 6-year-old son. Each thought the Little Prince version we selected was adorable and immediately went about building him his own place to sleep (or “snug” in the words of the children’s television series Abby Hatcher) so he’d be cozy in his new home. They also both found the baby powder scent pleasing and thought the frog-embroidered onesie a perfect match.
Design: Soft and cuddly
The doll features a somewhat sophisticated design, with a bean-bag bottom that helps him sit upright rather than toppling over—nice for tea parties or more imaginative play. The Little Prince’s hands are each articulated differently. The right hand has an extended thumb, which can be placed in his mouth, while the left hand features a slightly extended index finger. The PlayTime babies are available in different skin tones, genders, and outfits, but the Little Prince comes clad in a removable green, yellow, and blue-striped onesie with a smiling frog embroidered on the chest. He wears a removable blue hat with white lining and a string loop that goes around the doll’s neck, so if the head cover comes off accidentally, it will not get lost. The onesie only has a single hook-and-loop closure, but for the size of the opening, two would be more appropriate. The brand calls this doll’s skin tone “fair,” but the Little Prince has a darker complexion than the typical rosy peach I see on most other dolls, as well as darker hair on his head. The mouth is slightly open so kids can feed the baby with the included soft plastic bottle. Open-and-close eyes feature well-painted brown irises that bring the doll to life. Those eyes are framed with both painted and nylon lashes as well as delineated eyebrows. When the eyes snap open and close, there is an audible “click” that I personally found a bit creepy, but it did not bother my children at all.
Construction: High-quality
Adora uses what it calls GentleTouch vinyl for the head arms and legs, which are soft to the touch. The body is made up of silky polyester fabric, which the brand credits for the toy’s cuddly feel. The doll is BPA- and phthalate-free, and compliant with the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Oh, and it’s machine-washable. There’s a baby powder scent that my kids think smells more like soap, and I agree with them. In terms of durability, the general construction of the Little Prince seems solid. After two weeks of play and one machine wash, the doll seems no worse for wear. The scent is still there after washing, too.
Entertainment Value: Charms even those not into dolls
Baby dolls are not my two little minions’ favorite type of toys. DUPLO, stuffies, cars, and action figures have always rated higher with both. In fact, my 3-year-old daughter, despite having a few baby dolls she received as gifts, rarely played with them. However, both kids took an immediate shine to the Adora PlayTime Little Prince. “Sammy,” as they called him, now joins many nameless games in our playroom. Both kids will tell you he’s the cutest doll in our collection. It’s only been a few weeks, but it seems Sammy is here to stay. Like all dolls, this one encourages nurturing and pretending, so it has educational value in that way.
Age Range: Toddlers
My 3-year-old and first-grader both liked the Little Prince quite a bit. At 13 inches long and around 12 ounces in weight, I think the doll would also make a nice first doll for a child smaller than mine thanks to its diminutive size. After all, the manufacturer rated it as being fit for kids 1 year and up. Obviously, though, it’s great for bigger kids as well. I think if your children are into dolls, this would make a nice addition to their collection.
Ease of Cleaning: Throw it in the washing machine
We never took the Adora PlayTime Baby Doll outside, so it didn’t get that dirty. But to test its durability, after reading some reviews complaining it fell apart easily, I ran it through a gentle cycle. It seemed no worse for the wear. I left it on a towel to drip dry and threw it back into rotation for more abuse in the toy room.
Price: Not cheap, not expensive
At around $40, the Adora PlayTime Babies are not the cheapest dolls out there, but it’s not like it costs an arm and a leg. Dolls can run from $10 to $200, depending on aesthetic and accessories. But Little Prince seems like a solid starter piece or just a fun addition to any child’s toy box.
Competition: A crowded dollhouse
There are so many baby dolls out there, from Cabbage Patch Kids to Bitty Baby to Corolle. My family actually tested a Corolle doll as well, but both my children were immediately more smitten with the Adora PlayTime Baby—and the fact that it’s machine-washable makes it stand out in a crowded dollhouse. My children aren’t all that interested in dolls, but they went gaga for the Adora PlayTime Baby Little Prince. I love that it’s BPA-free and machine-washable—and kids will love how he sits up, opens and closes his eyes, and of course, stays soft and cuddly.
