Lottie Dolls- Alternative to Barbie dolls for children

Are you looking for a fresh and innovative alternative to traditional Barbie dolls for your kids? Look no further! Lottie Dolls are the perfect solution for parents who want their children to play with toys that promote empowerment, diversity, and creativity. In this article, we will explore the benefits of Lottie Dolls and why they are a fantastic choice for children of all ages.

Choosing Lottie Dolls instead of Barbie Dolls can be a meaningful decision for many families. While Barbie has been cherished for years, parents are increasingly looking for options that provide a more authentic and empowering image of women. Lottie Dolls aim to inspire kids to celebrate their true selves and appreciate their distinct traits. With a variety of dolls that reflect different cultures, hobbies, and abilities, Lottie Dolls promote exploration of individuality and creativity in an enjoyable and imaginative manner.

Since their introduction in 2012, Lottie dolls have garnered 29 international accolades, including 6 esteemed Oppenheim Portfolio Platinum Awards, and have attracted significant attention from the global media.

Every month, Lottie Dolls organizes a competition for Lottie Club members, encouraging them to create their own themed doll complete with outfits and accessories. For instance, the design of Stargazer Lottie was inspired by 6-year-old Abigail from Canada.

Lottie Dolls- Alternative to Barbie dolls

Lottie Dolls were introduced in late August 2012 by Ian Harkin, who identified a gap in the market for a more wholesome alternative to existing dolls. Prior to the launch of Lottie, Harkin dedicated 18 months to research and development.

Lottie is characterized by her lack of makeup, high heels, or jewelry, and she possesses the ability to stand independently, a vital life skill for girls of all ages. Her guiding principle is ‘Be bold, be brave, be you.’

The Lottie dolls are designed with age-appropriate hobbies, narratives, clothing, and accessories. They celebrate ethnic diversity, featuring a variety of eye, hair, and skin tones. Notable dolls representing girls of color include the stunning dark-skinned Branksea Festival Lottie, Kawaii Karate Lottie, and Butterfly Protector Lottie, who has medium skin, dark hair, and dark eyes.

The dolls

Wildlife Photographer Mia Doll

The newest member of the Lottie collection is Wildlife Photographer Mia Doll, characterized by her dark skin and textured dark brown hair. Mia represents Arklu’s commitment to fostering an inclusive childhood environment where every child feels valued, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, or abilities.

Mia is portrayed with a cochlear implant, which plays a significant role in her story as detailed in the Lottie chapter books. Cochlear implants are electronic devices designed to restore hearing for individuals with inner ear damage.

Wildlife Photographer Mia is the result of a partnership with ‘Toy Like Me,’ a UK-based nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the representation of diverse abilities in toys. It is commendable that brands like Lottie are prioritizing the inclusion of such important features in their dolls.

Ballet Lottie Doll

Lottie’s character serves to emphasize that being a girl should not restrict one’s dreams and ambitions. My daughter, an enthusiastic dancer, is particularly fond of Ballet Lottie. She received this doll just before beginning her ballet lessons last spring. Ballet Lottie features olive skin and long brown hair, dressed in a distinctive ballet outfit that includes a three-layer tutu, a sequined leotard, and ballet shoes. Additionally, she comes with a bag for Lottie to carry her shoes. My daughter strongly connects Ballet Lottie to her own dancing experiences, often imagining Lottie performing various twirls and jumps.

This is the third Lottie doll in my daughter’s collection, and she is already looking forward to adding Birthday Girl Lottie to her assortment.

The Doll: (Pandora’s Box Lottie)

My daughter has a Pandora’s Box Lottie doll. Lottie features olive skin and long black hair. She is dressed in a duffel coat with pink polka dot lining, a pink corduroy dress adorned with a removable Persian cat patch and accented with blue stripes, along with striped tights and brown boots trimmed in pink. Her ensemble is completed with a cat hat and glasses shaped like cat eyes. The clothing is vibrant, realistic, and of high quality.

Each Lottie doll is packaged in a reusable box that includes a role play theme or story on the back. Pandora’s Box Lottie is portrayed as a volunteer at Branksea Animal Shelter, where she cares for homeless cats and dogs. One day, a mysterious cardboard box appears at the shelter’s front door, containing a hungry and scared Persian cat. They name her Pandora. Lottie takes on the responsibility of nursing Pandora back to health, ensuring her coat remains clean and fluffy.

Pandora serves as a valuable tool for teaching children about nurturing, empathy, and the significance of adopting shelter pets as family members. With Pandora’s Box Lottie, young girls can immerse themselves in the role of a shelter volunteer and engage in imaginative play. Additionally, the Lottie Pandora the Persian accessory cat set enhances the pretend play experience.

With Pandora Box Lottie my daughter incorporates other toys such as her Kitty Club figurines from (whatnottoys.com) into her play.

Sirius the Welsh Mountain Pony

Arklu promotes creative play through their collection of Lottie dolls, accessories, and playsets. Sirius, the Welsh pony, serves as a delightful gift and a fantastic addition to the Lottie Dolls lineup.

My daughter has a passion for horses and, like Lottie, seizes every opportunity to ride a pony. Sirius is the newest member of Lottie’s stable, and she enjoys exploring the countryside on her pony. As a Welsh Mountain Pony, Sirius is spirited, enthusiastic, and resolute.

He comes equipped with a saddle, bridle, stirrups, and numnah. Sirius makes a wonderful enhancement to my daughter’s Lottie collection. His name is inspired by the brightest star visible in the night sky. However, the saddle is somewhat fragile, so it is advisable for children to keep it on. My daughter discovered this lesson through experience.

Lottie Doll Clothes & Outfits

Also available for Lottie Dolls is Saddle-up Pony Outfit Set. The outfit comes with jodphurs, blue padded riding vest, riding boots and riding hat. The helmet looks like a real riding helmet.  Both my daughter and I were really impressed by this feature. The great thing about Lottie is that the dolls & accessories can be interchanged.

Together, Sirius and the Saddle-up Pony Outfit Set are perfect additions for imaginative play.

Snow Queen Lottie

The Snow Queen Lottie Doll is the latest addition to my daughter’s collection, arriving just in time for the Christmas festivities. Lottie has received an invitation to the Masked Ball, and since the Snow Queen is her favorite fairy tale character, she chooses to attend the event dressed as the Snow Queen. Her long blonde hair is beautifully complemented by a sparkling crown, and she wears a silver, glittery mask. Lottie’s stunning gown features shades of ice blue and frosty white, adorned with silver snowflakes. She accessorizes with a matching wrist bag, a luxurious fur wrap draped over her shoulders, and a pair of blue ballet flats.

After the ball, Lottie can be changed into the Sweet Dreams Outfit Set, which includes cozy all-in-one pajamas, a housecoat, and pink fleece slippers. Lottie enjoys snuggling up with a warm mug of cocoa while watching holiday specials on television.

Designed to inspire active play, Lottie features bendable knees and movable hips, arms, and head, allowing her to engage in various activities just like real children. Her hair has a silky texture that prevents tangling, and the clothing is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, featuring Velcro fastenings that are easy for young girls to manage. Standing at 7.5 inches tall, Lottie is lightweight and easy for little hands to carry.

Lottie dolls empower children to create their own imaginative worlds, providing a means for them to reenact everyday scenarios. For younger children, these dolls serve as an excellent introduction to pretend play.

Other Lottie dolls in the range:

• Stargazer
• Fossil Hunter
• Pony Club
• Muddy Puddles
• Butterfly Protector Lottie
• School Days Lottie
• Rockabilly Lottie
• Kite Flyer Finn Boy
• Autumn Leaves Lottie
• Spring Celebration Ballet Lottie
• Pony Flag Lottie
• Pirate Queen Lottie
• Branksea festival Lottie
• English County Garden Lottie
• Kawaii Karate Lottie
• Lighthouse Keeper Lottie
• Always Artsy Lottie
• Wild Photographer Mia Doll
• Birthday Girl Sophia Doll
• Junior Reporter Sammi Boy Doll
• Forest Friends Lottie Doll

My Thoughts

As a mother, I have a deep appreciation for Lottie dolls. They promote the idea that girls should cherish their childhood and take their time growing up. Lottie dolls serve as an excellent alternative to Barbie dolls, fostering imaginative play and demonstrating that girls can aspire to be anything they desire. Each Lottie doll comes with a diverse selection of accessory sets. My daughter, in particular, has a special fondness for her Lottie dolls.

In conclusion, Lottie Dolls are a fantastic alternative to traditional Barbie dolls for children who are looking for toys that promote empowerment, diversity, and creativity. With their focus on realistic body image, inclusivity, and imaginative play, Lottie Dolls are sure to be a hit with children of all ages. So why not choose Lottie Dolls for your child’s next playtime adventure?

About Arklu

Innovative toy company Arklu, Ltd manufactures Lottie.  The company came to prominence in 2011 with the launch of its first product, the Princess Catherine Engagement Doll. The success was swiftly followed by the Royal Wedding Dolls; the Princess Catherine Wedding Doll and Prince William Wedding Doll. As a result of this strong start they spent 18 months of development on the Lottie brand, which included extensive research with kids, parents, retailers, industry experts and academics, with the goal to create a realistic doll that is great fun for both boys and girls to play with. Since the launch in August 2012, Lottie dolls have received 21 international awards including 5 prestigious Oppenheim Portfolio Platinum Awards.  They are currently available in more than 30 countries worldwide.  Today the company creates a range of products including dolls, books, toys and games for children.

I’ll be back with more Lottie soon, but in the meantime, let me know what you think of  the dolls featured here in the comment section below. What’s your favourite thing about Lottie dolls?