Dolls had been part of American childhood for generations, though earlier versions looked quite different. Nineteenth-century dolls were often handmade or imported, crafted from cloth, wax, or porcelain and handled with care. Mass production in the early 1900s changed that, putting sturdier and more affordable dolls within reach of many households. By the time plastic entered the picture in the 1940s and ’50s, toy makers could experiment with features like sleeping eyes, molded expressions, and rooted hair.
The baby boom helped push the toy industry into high gear, and advertising followed families into their living rooms through magazines and television. Dolls grew more interactive as manufacturers searched for the next delight: a mouth that moved, a voice that spoke, eyes that tracked across a room. Play started to feel more immersive, shaped by the same mid-century enthusiasm that brought new appliances, cars and gadgets into daily life.
Some dolls leaned into nurturing play. Betsy Wetsy, frequently shown in swings or high chairs, joined nursery favorites like Tiny Tears in encouraging children to feed, rock and care for their pint-sized companions. The scenes looked familiar by design — a small echo of the routines children saw at home — and the appeal proved lasting.
Others captured the playful mood of the decade. Mattel’s Dancerina pirouetted to her own recording of The Nutcracker Suite, while Swingy danced along to a pop record packaged just for her. Baby First Step promised to walk and skate “all by herself,” and Cheerful Tearful fascinated kids with a face that shifted from a smile to a pout — complete with tears. As one ad put it, “The pictures tell the story,” a line that neatly summed up the era’s confidence in toy innovation.
Together, these dolls show how American playthings evolved alongside the culture itself — more animated, more expressive and designed to hold a child’s attention a little longer. Below, we’ve gathered vintage ads and images featuring Baby First Step, Betsy Wetsy, Swingy, Dancerina, Cheerful Tearful, and many others, offering a colorful snapshot of the toys that helped define growing up in the 1960s.
VIDEO | The Making of Betsy Wetsy Doll by Ideal Toys Sales Film
Betsy Wetsy & other classic baby dolls (1960)
Bye Bye Baby in a high chair, Betsy Wetsy in a swing, Toodles doll in a shopping cart, Baby Beautiful in a bassinet, and Tiny Tears in a playpen.
ALSO SEE: See how different antique baby carriages & old-fashioned strollers used to be
Vintage 60s Dancerina doll (1969)
Because girls dream about being a ballerina, Mattel makes DANCERINA.
Touch her crown — Dancerina pirouettes! Round and round in rhythm to her own recording of the Nutcracker Suite.
Touch her crown again — she changes direction! Watch her whirl — Touch again and see her toe dance with delicate steps forward — and then backward — Was there ever a doll like Dancerina?
She’s a pink confection in silken blouse and ruffled tutu. Dancerina — Bravo!
Vintage 60s dolls: Baby’s Hungry
New Baby’s Hungry is amazing — she really seems to eat and drink! Feed her with the spoon, her mouth moves as she chews.
Give Baby’s Hungry! her bottle, her cheeks move as she nurses. And all the while, her eyes look around.
Winking Winny doll from 1967
Glamorous Sally doll from 1967
Glamorous Sally is a doll with great appeal to girls, because she can be changed from a teen-age to adult doll with a wardrobe change and the push of a button. The button regulates her growth from 6″ to 7-1/4″.
ALSO SEE: Growing Up Skipper doll: See how Barbie’s sister changed from a girl to a teen in seconds (1975)
Vintage 60s baby dolls: We drink, wet & cry
Baby Say ‘N See & Drowsy Baby Secret
Baby Say ‘N See moves her lips and eyes when she says things like, “I can see in the dark, can you?” [Coming from a doll, that sounds creepy.]
Vintage 60s dolls: Baby First Step
Baby First Step walks and skates, all by herself! Talking Baby First Step (not shown) can do all that, and talk.
Baby Cheerful Tearful from Mattel
This is one reason little girls love Cheerful Tearful… This is the other.
The pictures tell the story. They’re both the same doll. Mattel’s new Cheerful Tearful can actually change her expression.
Move her arm up, and her tearful pout turns to a happy smile. Move her arm down, and her smile turns to a pout again. (She even cries tears.)
At first, little girls are simply astonished. But in no time, astonishment turns to love. And to endless hours of having fun: taking care of Cheerful Tearful when she’s sad, and making her happy again.
Teeny Weeny Tiny Tears, Little Miss Echo, Tiny Tears & other retro ’60s dolls
Old-school baby dolls from the sixties
Here you can meet Cuddly Baby Coo, Miss Sweetdreams, Baby Lullaby, Posable Patty, and Susie Snowtime
Vintage 60s baby dolls: Swingy from 1969
Because girls would love a friend to dance with, Mattel makes SWINGY.
She swings! She swings her arms… she swings her feet with the “Swingy Step.” She tosses her shining hair from side to side, and dances like no other doll in the world.
Swingy comes with her very own pop record, with music and lyrics to match her mood. And when Swingy finishes dancing, she’ll walk, too.
Lullabye Baby Doll by Horsman, Baby Sharon, Betty Walker, Lil Softee, Baby Go to Sleep, Ma-Ma Baby Doll, Thirstee Walker Doll
NOW SEE THIS: Vintage talking dolls from the ’60s: Just pull the string and they say different things!
Toy dolls you can buy today
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- With 5 Disney Princess small dolls and 5 friend figures, this adorable set of characters is ready for storytelling play inspired by Disney movies!
- Includes posable small dolls (3.5 inches) Ariel, Tiana, Belle, Jasmine and Rapunzel. Each doll wears a removable skirt or pants in a unique friendship print.
- Set also includes five character friend figures—one for each Princess: Flounder (Ariel), Ray (Tiana), Chip (Belle), Rajah (Jasmine) and Pascal (Rapunzel)!
- Inspired by Universal Pictures' Wicked, the singing Glinda fashion doll brings the music to life!
- Sing "Popular" along with Glinda -press the button to hear one 15-second clip, then press it again to hear a second 15-second clip.
- Glinda doll wears a soft, removable, pink ombre dress with puff sleeves and features her long blonde hair -use her hair clip accessories to create even more Glinda-fied styles and looks!
- Quality and Adorable Backpack : This baby doll set is equipped with a purple flower backpack.It can not only storage doll accessories, but also place the doll behind the backpack.When your child...
- Package List : This baby dolls set includes a 12 inch(31cm) realistic baby doll,1 set of baby doll clothes and socks as picture,1 purple flower pattern backpack,1 nipple,1 feeding bottle,1 purple...
- Great Gift for Little Girls : This baby doll set packaged in box,its ready for use or to hand over as the perfect gift for christmas,holidays,birthdays,or any other time.It is a perfect gift for...
- Two 15-inch clothed boy and girl baby dolls with light skin tone that can suck their thumbs or pacifiers
- Dolls have soft, huggable bodies, wipe-clean limbs and heads, eyes that open and close
- Coordinating removable caps and rompers; suck thumbs or included pacifiers
- A Gateway to Wondrous Adventures: Our adorable baby dolls will send your little one on an enchanting adventure that sparks their imagination; From the soft vinyl head to dainty fingers and toes, La...
- They're a Perfect Fit for Petite Palms: At just 11 inches, this toddler baby doll is the perfect pint-sized companion, designed to be cuddled, carried, and cherished; Every toy baby doll is unscented...
- Resilient & Refreshable for Endless Play: Designed with love and child-friendly materials, the baby dolls for girls are soft to the touch yet sturdy enough to endure countless trips in the world of...
- LITTLE SISTER: Finally, you can create stories with your favorite dolls’ little sisters. Introducing Amaya Raine’s little sister – Opal. She looks up to her big sister; she is the happiest when...
- ADORABLE FEATURES: Opal Raine has her own unique style. She’s in a rainbow dress with soft tulle fabric and molded top. She comes with matching rainbow shoes and a purse. She has an adorable younger...
- MAGICAL PET: She comes with a super cute magical rainbow pet unicorn.
- My First Doll Set, ideal for little kids to introduce them to the world of caring and loving. Small in size, making it easy for children to hold, cuddle and carry.
- Includes: 12'' baby doll, pacifier, blanket, and feeding bottle.
- Pretend Play, Encourages holding, nurturing and special care to improve child development and social skills while engaging in pretend playtime.
15 Responses
I’m trying to find a baby doll from 1969 with red hair that my grandmother and I looked everywhere and found the last one for Christmas. She made a crying sound
Did it originally have a white top and red plaid pants? I’m looking for one too.
Did it originally have a white top and red plaid pants? I’m looking for one too. Let me know if if you find her. Thanks
I’m trying to find a doll from 1959/60 that had a pink plush body with a rubber face that had a pouty lip. Only thing I’ve seen close in body type are the Douglas dolls.
Thank you
I’m looking for a tiny tears doll or a patty burp doll had one as a kid
Did anyone else have a Hungrietta doll? She had a hole in her mouth and you fed her food from a little box and then after you fed it all to her you could unplug the hole in her back and dump it out and re-feed it to her. The food was dry like fine sawdust.
looking for the doll that you could record your voice on. the commercial for it showed a girl recording her message to her friend, “hello do you want to play?” or something similar. the doll had a ribbon at her neck that you turned one way to record and another to repeat your message to the friend. it showed her at the front door, playing the message for her friend. somwhere between 1958 to maybe 1963. i cant find anything on line.
I have doll from latev50’s or early 1960s. She is wearing an American Airlines stewardess outfit and has a cloth AA bag. I cannot find any info online regarding this doll. Can anyone help?
iam looking for a doll named pinky lee she was a big baby doll my mom bought her for me in mnt view mo at toy store inside of five and dime was my last baby doll she was blonde headed and had a pink outfit on would love to find one thank you
I’m looking for a doll made between 1968 and 1971. She came in a highchair. You place a food card on her tray and she shakes her head yes or no if she wants it. Thanks
I am looking for a doll I got in early 70’s…she had golden hair…she had a soft body with vinyl hands, feet and head….I think she had a squeaker thing inside so when you laid her back she cried….she had a soft blue nylon dress long sleeves with a matching bonnet and booties….I have been looking for years to have this doll again….I think she had rosy cheeks also….her eyes closed when you laid her back
Help please…I’m looking for a baby doll from 1969 ir 1969. Beautiful doll with white gown, blonde hair with netting. When you moved her she cried momma papa.
I’m looking for a doll called Katie copy Kat 1960s 1970s
looking for a large baby doll named pinky my mom bought her for me in mnt viiew mo in a doll shop behind the five and dime she was the last baby doll i got for christmass
I’m looking for a baby doll,made between 67-72… looks very much like a Horseman doll. She is soft bodied, arms up, short, platinum blonde hair with bangs, pulled into curly ponytails with bow(s) in a white lacey onsie outfit… probably no more than 10-12 inches. From my very early childhood. Would love to find her…