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Little Girls and Barbies…
Fingers combing, clothes changing, stories telling…
Play Time
I love to watch my daughter play with dolls. I love to see her role play and story tell. I love to see her little fingers and her growing imagination at work.
The other day, when a package arrived with some review samples of the new Barbie® I Can Be…™ line, Olivia squealed with delight and then plunked down on the floor and started to play.
The two dolls Olivia “reviewed” were the new Barbie® I Can Be…™ Pet Vet and the Barbie® I Can Be…™ Rock Star. Both dressed in pink of course.
Olivia combed their hair. (Actually even I combed Barbie’s hair — there is something relaxing about combing Barbie’s hair…)
She made them “talk” and interact. The Veterinarian Barbie tended to the little dog that accompanied the Barbie, giving the puppy shots and a check up. The Rock Star Barbie played her guitar and used her microphone headset.
And then Olivia reinvented them. Who says a vet can’t ALSO be a rock star, right? Toddler fingers tugged at the tiny clothes, changing up the Barbie’s looks. (Because changing her clothes is as important as combing Barbie’s hair!)
Barbie as a Role Model?
I hadn’t really thought much about the role Barbie plays in a girl’s interpretation of what careers a woman can pursue. To be honest, as an adult I was always a bit ticked about her unrealistic body shape.
But when I read about all the different careers and roles Barbie has played over the years — Barbie has had 125 careers! — I was pleased to see that Barbie has been fighting the woman’s liberation movement in her own fashionable way!
“For more than 50 years Barbie has served as a reflection of fashion, culture and aspiration to girls of all ages. Barbie inspires girls to try on different careers, encouraging them to play out their dreams and explore the world and all of its possibilities,” said Stephanie Cota, Senior Vice President, Barbie Marketing. “We believe role-playing with Barbie leads to real life opportunities and are very proud to partner with organizations who continue to inspire girls and women with the belief and confidence that they can do anything.”
Yes, Barbie has been getting girls to dream brand new dreams…
- In the 1960’s, Astronaut Barbie went to space four years before man walked on the moon.
- In the 80s, she took to the boardroom as “Day to Night™” CEO Barbie®, just as women began to break into the C-suite
- In the 90s, she ran for President, before any female candidate ever made it onto the presidential ballot.
- In 2010, Barbie® doll continues to take on aspirational and culturally relevant careers with the introduction of I Can Be™… a Rock Star, Pet Vet, Newborn Baby Doctor, Dentist, Race Car Driver, Babysitter, Snowboarder, Ballroom Dancer, Preschool Teacher, Ballerina and Pizza Chef.
Barbie® “I Can Be™…”
To celebrating her 125th career this year, Barbie kicked off 2010 with a global campaign to further inspire girls by partnering with The White House Project, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation and her list of the “10 Women to Watch in 2010.”
As a part of the initiative, the women from the list were paired with a girl – selected via contest write-in’s on Barbie.com – to be mentored in the environment of the mentee. Rachel Roy, fashion designer, mentored a girl at a show room and showed her how she makes clothes, while Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler took a girl on the slopes for one-on-one lessons.
Divine says
Pls I want to enter for the contest and I want to get it for my daughter she’s in love with Barbie and I wanted to get for her so pla
Susan says
I’m sorry but this contest is from a long time ago. We should have removed it.
Megan says
I love Barbies i especially loved playing with them when i was little
Krystal says
I loved playing with Barbies as a little girl. Combing their hair and changing their clothes were some favorite pasttimes. I love that Barbie can do and be anything!!
Peggy Gorman says
I love that we can empower girls and Barbie is the perfect way to do so! I remember playing for hours with my Barbie! Changing outfits and loving all the fun assortment of shoes and purses! My brothers teasing me ,3 big brothers do that!!
Thanks for the chance
Nancye Davis says
I have always loved Barbies! My daughter also loves Barbies which gives me the perfect excuse to be a kid again! She got the Barbie Dream House last year for Christmas so I get to have even more fun!! I can remember having the “Growing Up Skipper” you turned her arm and she got taller and her chest got bigger too! Lots of fun! Too bad her head fell off! (I actually cried for days!) I would LOVE to win these Barbies for my daughter. I know she’ll have tons of fun! Thanks for the chance.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Kristen Eby says
my fave memories is fixing up her dreamhouse and having fashion shows/pagents, with my Barbies…now that my daughter has inherited them, I look forward to many new memories
Karen S. says
I still love Barbie. I remember playing for hours with my Barbie dreamhouse. The best part about Barbie are all of the outfits!
Jessica Cook says
I love Barbie. My daughter is 3.5 and has started to get into them. I forgot how much I loved them. They are so fun.
Laura Dickson says
My little girl plays with barbies all the time shes an only child so these are her friends. She also designs clothes for them out of napkins and then tiedyes them with markers for a new look for her barbies.
Gale Starnes says
my best barbie memory was finally receiving the beloved dream house. my sister and i were the 2 happiest little girls ever!! i really had prayed (yes, i really did)…i was so majorly obsessed with having one!!! It was so perfect!! We spent hours and days making up adventures for the inhaitants of that house! What fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ashlee S says
My daughter loves barbies. They are her favorite toys and I like getting the career ones for her because they seem to have more educational value. Every night I put all the barbies away and brush thier hair because yes it is very relaxing! Thanks for a chance to win
Wendy M says
I would love to win this for my 3 nieces. As a mom of boys, I love being able to give girly gifts to them.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
Kat K says
I remember a rope stretched across the corner of our yard and an old thin green blanket laid across the top. It had some holes, so the sun poked its rays through here and there.
Another blanket was placed on the grass underneath and my sister (22mos younger) and I sat and played with our Barbies.
We each had the one with the 3 interchangeable wigs, blond, brunette and redhead. I had a Ken cause I was older. lol
Some clothes were handmade, some store bought. Shoe boxes were beds and a round blue metal tray was a swimming pool.
We used our imagination…it was fun every day.
P.S. I never could get those tiny shoes to stay on…….
Beth C says
I’ve always loved Barbie and now my little granddaughter likes her too! She would be thrilled to win a new Barbie.
nan lara says
oh i loved barbie as a kid, thanks for the chance//i’d get so excited when i got a new outfit
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
Ashleigh says
I think I’m into Barbie NOW more than I was as a kid. I’ve got 2 girls and we probably have every Barbie movie ever made, which means my girls see a new Barbie and fall in love instantly. I do, too, I must admit. I remember loving my Little Mermaid Barbie as a kid, and so now we own all of the Disney Princess Barbies and I love when my girls play with them. I guess I’m just reliving my childhood vicariously through them.
Milcah says
I’d love er I think my daughter would love to add to her Barbie collection.
Shari says
I enjoyed playing with Barbies as a child, but I’m enjoying watching my own daughters play with them even more. My aunt gave them her collection of vintage Barbie dolls, clothes, and accessories (including friends that aren’t around anymore like Skipper, Skooter, Midge, and Ricky) and they will play with them for hours. Now I’m delving into sewing clothes for them, but they’re so darn tiny.
etirv says
I always liked the Barbies from around the world!
Summur Braley says
I loved my peaches and cream Barbie!!!! So sweet :O)
Jenna says
I remember playing with Barbies when I was younger and taking boxes to create full on houses and cities for my Barbies. I had so much fun creating stories and now I can see the same fun and imagination I had starting with my girls!
Francine Anchondo says
Thanks for the giveaway
Jamie H says
I loved playing with Barbies as a kid! My favorite memory of Barbie is when my best friend and I put on a HUGE Barbie Luau.
My daughter turns 4 years old in two weeks and I can’t wait to start her Barbie fun when I give her Barbies for her birthday!
Ashley R says
How fun is this!!!! I would LOVE to win, of course! Growing up I would play with my Barbies all day, changing their outfits. I know a little girl in my life I would give this too! Thanks!
Junglewife says
I think I played Barbies longer than the average kid… I remember getting a Barbie for Christmas when I was in middle school! But I just loved dressing them up, playing house with them, and letting my imagination run wile.
Staci A says
I remember playing Barbies with my mom when I was little. I was the only “girly-girl” in the family, so I loved having that special time with her!
ShaRhonda says
My favorite memory was playing w/ my Dream House from Santa. I played so many endless hours w/ that house. Do they even make it anymore?
Anita says
My favorite Barbie memory is getting to play with my best friend Tammy and her “seemingly” 1000s of Barbie dolls… including Ken, a Barbie house, a Barbie car and lots of other things that I didn’t ever have in my own “collection.”
Tennille says
I still have my mom’s Barbie that I loved to death as a girl-so not a collectable but priceless all the same!
Steph says
I never had Barbies as a kid. I think my daughter would enjoy them, so of course, I would love to win!
Angie says
I LOVE Barbies and collect them! These are awesome!
Linda M says
I’m afraid that my age has to admit that I had an original Barbie. With the curly bangs & all. I did take her ponytail out which really ruined her value, but my Grandmother made all her clothes & for that I’ll never get rid of her………………and oh,did I mention I have three Grand daughters………..LOL……..
Dee says
I used to love watching my daughter play with her Barbies and now I enjoy watching my granddaughters play with theirs.
Dena says
I remember playing for hours with my Barbies and waking up one morning to find the three story Barbie house in my bedroom.
diane taylor says
google friend
diane taylor says
email subscriber
diane taylor says
i follow
diane taylor says
i loved my barbie dolls as well as my daughters love theirs [email protected]
joyce proctor says
I loved my Barbie Dolls! I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to enjoy playing with them! My friends and I spent hours dressing and undressing those dolls. We had every accessory but my favorites were the Barbie Camper, the Corvette, and the scooter!
Shannon says
My daughter has just gotten into doing her dolls hair all up…she would love this!
Kay M. says
My father bought me the first Barbie I ever had, one of the first ever made, with the plastic eyelashes and short black curly hair. I loved that doll! I used to play “Barbies” with the girl across the street, and now, I play “Barbies” with my granddaughter! This would be a lovely gift for her.
Suzanne (Crunchy green Mom) says
I loved my Barbies… when I moved out, I took them with me. My girls are getting to the age were Barbies will be a staple in their life!
Heather S says
I have four sisters, so we grew up playing Barbies together! I would love to win one of these for my daughter, she would just adore it!
aparna says
My daughter is just crazy about babies I this these would be perfect for her birthday.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Mozi Esmes Mom says
My daughter loves her Barbies! This would be a great addition to her collection…
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
TopazTook says
I am dating myself, of course, but I had the 1976 Olympics Barbie when I was a kid. I remember fondly her red, white and blue striped swimsuit, her gold medal that hung around her neck, and her yellow terry cloth beach towel. Of course, what I most enjoyed was dressing her up in my really fancy Barbie clothes wedding dress and veil.
Marie says
I loved my Barbies when I was growing up — I played with them a lot. When I got older I packed some of them away and when my daughter was old enough I passed them on to her. Now she is a big Barbie fan 🙂 We enjoy playing with them together — it’s still a lot of fun!
Heather E says
I loved playing with my barbies as a kid and now that my 3 year old is starting to play with them I feel like a kid all over again!!!! I think it’s almost better as the parent though, seeing everything through your kids eyes is like magic.
elund323 says
I remember having a Barbie that came with special decals, like tattoos almost. You would place the decals on the Barbie, place Barbie in the sun, and then peel off the decals. Barbies “skin” would be white where the decals were.
Kim Mras says
I love Barbies. I have two girls 10 and 3 and love to play with them. Best part of being a mom is you don’t have to completely grow up. When I was a kid my friends and I would turn the whole house into Barbie land.
Setting up a department store for Barbie, a Drive In, a Restaurant for Ken to take her to and of course a huge house. The careers she held reflected what our parents did.
My Barbie worked in the department store as a beauty consultant like my mom, and Ken was in the Air Force always away on a flight, and then we had a stay at home mom who also ran a daycare, and many more careers.
Barbie was a great experience for me to escape into Barbie land for hours making up different stories.
Now I get to watch my girls enjoy making their own Barbie land and listen to their stories.
Great giveaway. Thanks
staceyk says
Always loved playing with my barbies as a kid.
Lesli C says
I’ve always loved Barbie! Hours upon hours with Barbies and shoebox houses! Great times! I think thats one of the first things I thought when I found out I was having girls! “Yay! I get to play Barbie with them!” lol! ! I love this giveaway!!
LaVonne says
I remember loving barbies. Thanks for the chance to win.
Mami2jcn says
I’m a HUGE Barbie fanatic. At one point before my parents divorced and I had to donate the majority of my dolls, I had 100 Barbie’s. I used to give them haircuts, if I had 2 of the same I they were twin sisters, and I even acted out “Three’s Company” episodes with a brunette Barbie, a blonde Barbie, and a Ken doll.
ShaRhonda says
My favorite Barbie memory was getting my Dream House from Santa. I played so many endless hours w/ that house. Do they even make it anymore?
Jaime says
My daughters would love these!
Your blog rocks!
Kelly Ann T says
My grandmother handamade all my Barbie’s clothes. I loved those so much.
Jessica T says
I remember playing with my barbie’s hair growing up . . . and then the inevitable – giving Barbie a hair cut and getting in so much trouble! At least I didn’t cut my own hair like my daugther did! She’d love this prize
melissa n says
me and my sister would dedicate her room to “barbie-ville” and set up the houses and such, and playf or an entire week! barbies were such a hug part of our chidhood, and i’ thrilled my niece is starting to liek them.
Angela C. says
I enjoyed Barbies growing up and now both of my daughters love to play with Barbie dolls. I would love to win these for them. Thanks for the giveaway!
accoupons at gmail dot com
Rena says
WOW! I miss Barbie! I remembered when I bought one from the flea market and was set to pass it down to my children (whenever I had them)…but turned out my nieces got ahold of them…so they beheaded them…sad…I know…but I still wished I held on to them…
<33 Rena
Terra Heck says
My youngest girl likes Barbies and these would be great for her. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Brandy says
my favorite barbie memory was my dad buying me a big barbie house that had a elevator and everything. My favorite! I had over 200 barbies as a kid. I would love to share these with my daughters.
Magi says
I loved playing with Barbies when I was young. My aunt was only 6 years older than me, so she often played with me. One day, she gave me her entire collection. It was the happiest day of my life.
Today, my daughter is just as fascinated with Barbies. The shoes still challenge her (heck, they challenge me!), but she’s finally mastered changing their clothes. I love watching her roleplaying through her dolls.
Marj McClendon says
I never had a barbie but I sure made up for it by getting them for my daughter when she was little. Naturally, I got to play with them right along with my daughter. LOL
sharon says
my daughter and I were just in NY City and she fell in love with the Statue of Liberty Barbie. They actually have a huge Barbie Around the World Display at Ellis Island – very informative.
Danielle Meek says
I would love to win a barbie for my 4 year old niece.. I used to love barbie when I was a little girl and shes starting to follow in her aunties footsteps 🙂
Vickie Couturier says
my best Barbie memory was when I was 8 yrs old an got the bubble head barbie,the legs were straight an didnt bend,this was in the 60’s an now im getting Barbies for my grandaughters!
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
Jaimie K says
I would love to win this for my almost 4 year old’s birthday coming up. She’s been asking for a Barbie since her one and only got chewed by the dog. (PS–I told her not to leave it outside…)
Me and my sister dressed and redressed and redressed….barbies! We even “sewed” clothes for them by hand with mom’s fabric scraps. Fun!
Lori says
I remember playing with barbies as a kid
Linda Kish says
In 1960 my divorced parents each bought me a Barbie. My blond mom got the the blond and my dark haired dad got me the brunette. I also got the entire trousseau. When I moved across country the next year, they disappeared!!
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Margaret says
Evan as an adult, the pleasure of playing with a doll either to redress her or to comb her hair has not gone away! I love recreating the dolls and giving them personalities! Thanks for the giveaway!
Idaho Jill says
I rarely played with barbies when I was little, but my daughter loves dolls, so it would be great to get her the very 1st barbie!
Ruth Hill says
Barbies were a part of my life all the way up through high school. Sounds funny, I know, but I had quite a fantasy going with them in my very own Barbietown U.S.A. I was proud of the fact that I had 5 Ken dolls, and I had too many Barbies and other Barbies to count. I remember how sad I was the day I decided it was all over. My daughter does not play with them .like I did, but she does enjoy them. Enter me please!
Mom24 says
I had a Barbie airplane where I played flight attendant. I thought that was the most glamorous thing in the world. 🙂
Kathy Stevenson says
I used to like to cut the hair off my Barbie dolls!
Becky M says
My mean older sister always cut the hair off of my barbies!!
Barbara Manatee says
I LOVED playing Barbie dolls as a child. I was so excited to recently realize my mom still had them in fact!! I thought they were long gone. My daughter has a couple Princess dolls that are basically Barbies and she loves those.
irishcharmed1 says
I loved playing with Barbies when I was a child. So many hours of entertainment. Would like to win this for my niece. Thanks
Jenn says
My most memorable barbie moment was when I cut all her hair off being a hairdresser and then HONESTLY thought coating her hair with whiteout would make it grow back.
{How embarrassing}
Serendipity is Sweet says
My daughter love Barbie and has been wanting the I Can Be A Rockstar doll. I’d love to win this for her. I like the idea of introducing kids to the many possibilities that life has to offer and fostering the idea that they can do anything they set their minds to.
thanks!
JRG says
I know a lady in the church who could use this for her kids.
heather says
my little girl would absolutely love this! She is constantly playing with barbies!
Simply Cathi says
I grew up with Barbie dolls and so did my daughter. Now it’s my grand daughter’s turn. She’ll be 4-years old in December so its time for a Barbie Doll Christmas!
Amber Smith says
I loved my barbie dolls when I was a little girl. I remember taking them everwhere I went 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win for my daughter
Casey says
As a kid I hated dolls of all types. To me they were made to be tortured in the back yard. :-). As an adult, I had the same reaction as you to the unrealistic body shape. I did not plan to ever introduce my 3 year old daughter to Barbie, but she got one as a present. She loves the Barbie, and sleeps with her. And I don’t think it has anything to do with the fact that Barbie is the doll that I allow her to cut the hair (she’s now a short haired Barbie). My girl would love another Barbie, and I would love that it’s career oriented, not wearing a bathing suit. Thanks!
Lisa says
My sisters and I loved playing with our Barbies.
Megret says
Oh, I have so many Barbie memories! My favorite part of getting a new Barbie was probably the way the doll smelled — that new plastic smell — the perfect hair and clothes, not played with yet! It was so exciting!
Thanks for the chance!
Megret
musesofmegret (at) gmail (dot) com
LuAnn says
I saved many of my Barbies and now my daughter plays with them. She wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up. She is always changing around the fashions, mixing different pieces.
stacy says
I loved my Barbies! I had a wardrobe for all the clothes and a horse. I had mine a looong time ago…back in the 60’s! Wish I still them.
Sarah - PS Mom Reviews says
My sisters and I loved playing with Barbie’s when we were little. We’d put all our things together and create big stories about our dolls. And it was even better when my mom pulled out her really old Barbie and let us play with that one to.
Katie says
I always loved my Astronaut Barbie best!
Rachel says
My favorite memory with Barbie dolls was Barbie pool. My sister and I would have a blast!
-Rachel
Tracie says
I would love to win this for my daughter. She is a Barbie girl!
When I was a kid, Barbies were my favorites. I even had a skipper with the long hair and surfboard. So cool! And the Jeep. My Barbies rode in style!
My favorite Barbie wasn’t one that I owned….it was my mother’s. She had kept her favorite Barbie from the 50’s! It was in this cool carrying case that doubled as a wardrobe and held three of the coolest outfits. One was a drum majorette complete with tasseled boots, hat, and baton! The other was a normal everyday outfit (it was cute) and the third was a beautiful ball gown. I loved that Barbie! Every once in a while my mother would pull it down from the tall shelf and let me play with it. That was the best Barbie moment of all!
angela says
My mom’s friend gave me an old Barbie she had as a child, it was one of the first ones to come out the 1950’s Barbie, i think it was. I don’t have it anymore as stuff got lost during moving but i would have loved to pass it down to my daughter.
sandy says
My fave memory is cutting their hair! I ended up ruining it but i thought it would be fun to play hairdresser!
maria says
We were too poor to be able to afford a Barbie so one Christmas the neighbours bought one each for me and my sister. Those were the only ones we ever had but we were super happy and played with them all the time. Now i would love to win this for my niece!
Carrie Ketting-Olivier says
I would love to win for my little girl! I loved Barbies when I was little and still like to make clothes for them.
Fiddledeedee says
As a child of the early 60’s, I had one of the first Barbies issued. Along with real-hair burr-haircut Ken. Who was rendered bald after my baby brother teethed on his head.
I’ve passed on my Barbie loving tradition to my girls. And speaking of which, the 8 year old wore a Barbie strapped to her head at dinner. I wish I were kidding.
jenB says
My favourite Barbie memory has got to be learning how to sew. I wanted to expand Barbie’s wardrobe (well, my three Barbies, all named after the original Charlie’s Angels natch). This inspiration to sew has led me to a huge interest in style and fashion and sewing and crafting. I just made my daughter some more sleeping bags for her Barbie camper, which I ALWAYS wanted as a girl. My little peanut would probably want to be Veterinarian Barbie. 🙂 Thanks for the great contest.
Patty Reiser says
I have been a fan of Barbie since I was a little girl. I have a huge tub stored away of many of my Barbies from my childhood. My BFF and I used to use the old LP’s that opened up as walls for our homes. Roller skates for our cars. And hand towels for our furniture. We rather rather creative. I also have a box of Barbie’s still in their original boxes that I have been collecting for years. I would love to add to my collection.
Rose says
I would like to win this for me 🙂 have a Barbie doll reminds me my child years
sandy says
would love these for my nieces
Ellen C. says
I’d love to win this for my daughter. Thanks for the chance.
rachel crisman says
I would love to win this doll for my niece!! I got a Peaches and Cream Barbie for Christmas one year and it was so special to me.I loved her and thought she was the best Barbie ever!!! I also had the Heart Family which I got passed down to me from my older sister.Barbie rocks!
[email protected]