Kids need dolls and toys that resemble them. Sure, it’s great to have toys that you aspire to be, like an astronaut or scientist. But if every astronaut or scientist you see is an able-bodied white male, it changes the way a child thinks. If a child is disabled, they need disabled dolls and toys.
This is an older post that used to be called Dolls with Special Needs, but I am moving away from using the phrase Special Needs.
It’s so important for kids to see toys and dolls with disabilities. To have them play in their imaginary world and do things normalizes it for real life. Here are more than 25 dolls and action figures with disabilities.
I’ve also included accessories for toys and action figures you might already have, plus where to buy them. These disabled dolls and action figures are not always easy to find.
Disability Awareness Dolls
American Girl–American Girl has a great assortment for kids. While I’ll admit that they are not cheap, they are super cute! You can buy a wheelchair, a walker, hearing aids and much more. If you keep scrolling down, you’ll see I have listed similar items at Toys R Us that are less expensive.
American Girl Wheelchair
Barbie– Barbie is finally getting it right and adding disabilities to the lineup.
Playmobil-There’s a movement out there called “Toys Like Me” and these folks got Playmobil to make some toys that look like our kids. Never doubt what motivated parents can do.
Build a Bear– Build a bear has hearing aids and a few other accessories that you can add on to their existing dolls/stuffed animals. For example here is the $2 Hearing Aid you can buy and put on any stuffed animal.
And they have a seizure helmet! A seizure helmet!
Flaghouse– Is a toy/educational games make that offers the following accessories for dolls: Wheelchair, Vinyl Glasses, Forearm Crutches, Leg Braces, Walker, Seeing Eye Dog and Cane, and Dark Vinyl Glasses.
Lakeshore-Another great retailer of educational stuff, stimmy toys, sensory…you name it. They have a decent selection of disabled toys and dolls, I’ve put them here because they are available on Amazon.
Lego– Lego City has some mini figures that use wheelchairs.
Toys R Us–Toys R Us has a whole line called Journey Girls. Journey Girls has cool accessories like a wheelchair and a T1 insulin kit for dolls. Journey Girls is the same concept as American Girl dolls, but much more affordable!
Ok, obviously TRU is out of business, but Journey Girls is available on Amazon.
Shadow Buddies-Shadow Buddies don’t look very realistic as far as the face and body, but they have everything! They have g-tube dolls, seizure helmets, prosthetics, surgery, and much more.
Star Wars-I’ve heard that you can buy Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader with their prosthetic arms, but I could not find them.
Ringside Collectibles-I was so pleased to find this WWE toy! Take a look! If your kids have the WWE action figures, they can get accessories for them.
Etsy shop- AFOs for dolls?! Yes, please!
Fisher Price-This item you will likely only find via resale on Amazon or Ebay, but it’s super cool. I have it up above in the Amazon ad.
Barbie-Mattel used to offer Barbie items, but they took a lot of heat when the Barbie wheelchair didn’t fit in the Barbie dreamhouse. Oops! You can still find dolls and accessories, but again, look to Ebay and Amazon.
- Chelsea doll and her friends inspire young imaginations to explore their world!
- This adorable Chelsea doll inspires new play possibilities with a wheelchair featuring realistic details and rolling wheels.
- SET OF 6 DIVERSE ABILITIES KIDS TOY FIGURES: Helps foster positive awareness and inclusive attitudes towards individuals with physical challenges…
- BOOSTS CONFIDENCE: Not only does this toy doll set encourage diverse recognition, children can also find a character they identify with, allowing…
- Designed to reflect the world kids see today, this diverse line of Barbie Fashionistas showcases bright and trendy styles that make for endless…
- Meet the first Barbie doll with Down syndrome! Barbie partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society to design a doll that celebrates this…
- Helps children learn about disabilities, safety and community through creative play.
- Multicultural creative learning toys suitable for block play, day care and preschool.
- Designed to reflect the world kids see today, this diverse line of Barbie Fashionistas showcases bright and trendy styles that make for…
- Barbie doll sparks play potential with a manual purple wheelchair and a pink ramp that help her get easily in and out of the Barbie Dreamhouse…
- Ken Fashionistas dolls keep it cool with trendy looks tailored to their individual style, making for endless storytelling possibilities.
- This Ken doll has brown hair and a prosthetic leg. He wears a tie-dye Los Angeles jersey that really makes his personality pop!
- Chelsea doll and her friends encourage imaginations to make new discoveries and dream up big adventures!
- The small doll has scoliosis, which is a curvature in the spine, and comes with a removable brace.
- The latest line of Barbie Fashionistas dolls includes different body types and a mix of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors, hairstyles and so…
- Barbie doll curvier than the original body type and wears an off-shoulder polka dot dress accented with cute puffed sleeves.
- The latest line of Barbie Fashionistas dolls includes different body types and a mix of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors, hairstyles and so…
- Barbie doll has a smaller bust and wears a daisy print shift dress featuring an oversized collar. Pink boots finish the playful yet modern look.
- INTERACTIVE: Adorable plush Doll comes with clad, a removable outfit packed with closures-perfect for testing a little one’s growing problem…
- TODDLER FRIENDLY TODDLER FRIENDLY: Educational Doll comes with buttons, zippers, self stick tabs, buckles and laces; All accessories are…
- GET READY FOR ENDLESS FUN: BABY born Learn to Walk Baby doll has 6 lifelike features: crawling, first steps, arm & leg movements, giggles, sleepy…
- CRAWLS ON HER OWN: She crawls on her own, mimicking the real-life experience of a crawling baby. Simply set her in a crawling position, and…
- Explore interior design career fun with the Barbie Interior Designer doll!
- Wearing a pink dress and cropped houndstooth jacket plus matching pink flats, Barbie Interior Designer doll is ready to design interiors!
- The latest line of Barbie Fashionistas dolls includes different body types and a mix of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors, hairstyles and so…
- Barbie doll has an original body shape and wears an off-shoulder floral print dress accented by sporty white sneakers and long pink fantasy hair…
- The latest line of Barbie Fashionistas dolls includes different body types and a mix of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors, hairstyles and so…
- Barbie doll comes with a wheelchair that has rolling wheels and a working brake, plus a ramp that works with the Barbie Dreamhouse (sold…
- INTRODUCES CHILDREN TO DIVERSITY – This collection of diverse dolls will help your toddler learn about diversity and inclusion as they grow to…
- CUTE, SOFT, HUGGABLE BEST FRIENDS – Super soft plush doll has an adorable embroidered smile and comes dressed with a colorful outfit. Your little…
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