Dolls are for girls, right? Wrong. Toys are toys and toys are for everyone. Dolls open up a whole world of imaginative play for all kids and Ken is much more than just Barbie’s boyfriend.
We’ve picked out the 12 best dolls for boys, including Ken the Barista and Ken the surfer. There’s also a bendable Blippi toy for younger boys and plush dolls of favorite heroes like Mario and Batman for cuddling at bedtime.
All of these dolls have been recommended by real people as the best ones for boys. We’ve made sure of this by ruling out all of the fake online reviews, so you can know that these dolls will be great buys for any boy.
1It's Me Norman
Let me introduce you to Norman. This cute cuddly doll will have you rolling on the floor with laughter with his repertoire of knock-knock jokes. He looks almost as cheeky as his jokes with his bright red hair, round glasses, jeans, and stripy shirt.
Simply press his hand to activate the set up “knock knock” , respond with “Who’s there?” and press his hand again for the setup “Lettuce”, “Lettuce who?”, then squeeze one last time for the punchline “Lettuce alone, we are trying to study”. Queue laughter from everyone around! Norman will teach any boy how to be king of the playground with his repertory of material.
Check out our full review of It’s Me, Norman to hear more of his jokes.
What we love
- He has 50 jokes to tell
- If he gets too much, there's a switch to turn him off
What We Don't Like That Much
- The battery pack is quite bulky
2Barbie Careers Ken Barista Doll (Best Budget Option)
Many Barbie dolls work to push the concept of following your dreams, encouraging kids to become whoever and join whatever profession they would like. The Barbie Careers Ken Barista Doll allows kids to explore the barista job and work as a server in their favorite coffee shop!
The Ken Barista Doll is dressed in a grey t-shirt, denim pants, white sneaker shoes, and a blue and brown apron with a cute, steaming coffee cup graphic. The doll also comes with a to-go coffee cup to add to accurate playtime. Run your own coffee shop and experience the job of a barista with the Barbie Careers Ken Barista Doll!
What we love
- Detailed apron, with graphics such as a notebook and pens, which encourages creative play
- Ken has a unique look and hairstyle, which adds to his collectibility
What We Don't Like That Much
- The included apron is attached to the shirt, making it unable to be removed
3River Kendall – Teal Boy Fashion Doll (Best Quality Option)
Part of the Rainbow High doll collection, River Kendall is the first boy doll to be added! Along with River Kendall himself, there is an included doll stand to display him, two full outfit options, a comb, and two hangers. Both of the outfits come with many different elements, such as pants, socks, and shoes, a top, a jacket, and a ballcap.
The Rainbow High dolls are all part of an animated YouTube series, where River Kendall stars as a lead player on the school football team, which inspires his sporty style options and gives him an exciting backstory to push creative play.
What we love
- The doll is fully posable, with all joints fully articulated
- River Kendall comes with blue hair, giving him a fun style
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some accessories, such as hair styling supplies, need to be purchased separately
4Snackin’ Luke Baby Doll
The Baby Alive brand and dolls have always been a big staple in the toy boxes of kids! With the Snackin’ Luke Baby Doll, your children can learn to take care of a baby all by themselves. Caring for their Baby Alive doll like a real baby, your kids can feed with the included spoon, putty, a mold for making food out of the putty, and other food materials.
After feeding their doll, Snackin’ Luke will need his diaper changed, which can be done with the included diapers! The Snackin’ Luke Baby Doll is dressed in an orange and blue onesie, which is washable and ready to be cared for.
What we love
- Great for teaching your children responsibility and how to care for others
- A potty seat can be bought separately for the potential of potty training!
What We Don't Like That Much
- The included food dough dries out quickly if not properly stored
5Activity Plush Stuffed Doll Toy
Great for kids who are still getting used to dressing themselves, learning all of the mechanisms included in the process, such as zippers and buttons, the Activity Plush Stuffed Doll Toy is a wonderful way for them to practice.
On the plush doll, there is a shirt with a large zipper, a pocket with a button, a pocket with a Velcro strip, and two shoes, one with laces to tie and one with a buckle, allowing them to try all of the different options for dressing. Let your kids get used to the mechanisms on the doll, and then test them out on their own clothes!
Similar toys: Best Giant Stuffed Aniamls
What we love
- The doll is washable, great for kids who may get dirty throughout the day
- Included with the doll is a ring, used to attach him to car seats, chairs, etc., to keep him in place while young kids play
What We Don't Like That Much
- The pockets are a bit small, which can make it take more practice to open and close them
6Nick Soft Boy Doll
Nick Soft Boy Doll is a classic, simple toy that will become a staple in your children’s collection. Nick the doll is a soft, 12-inch tall doll who wears blue jeans with a cargo pocket, as well as a plaid collared shirt with pockets, both of which are removable. Nick also has a blue undershirt and blue tennis shoes that are sewn on in order to not lose them.
This doll is great for kids who are in their rough play phase, Nick is sewn tightly to withstand anything, and will remain soft for calmer playtime or sleep! The facial features on Nick, such as his eyes, mouth, and freckles, are embroidered on his face to ensure safety and a clean look.
What we love
- If it is suddenly dropped, this toy won’t be damaged in the slightest
- Nick’s hair is made out of soft chenille for cozy cuddling
What We Don't Like That Much
- We’d like to see the option for Nick’s shoes to be removed, adding to the creative options available
7Snug-up Doll Luis
Give your kids a cozy, cute companion with the HABA Snug-up Doll Luis. Luis is an 8-inch tall baby doll toy that will have the same feel and imaginative power as an average baby doll, but softer and safer for your child.
Dressed in light blue footie pajamas, a green bandana, and a blue cap, all of his clothes are all sewn on and are washable, along with Luis himself. Not only is Luis soft and cuddly, but he is also filled with stuffing in order to make it easy for him to sit up with your kids!
What we love
- The facial features are printed on, reducing any choking hazards
- Perfectly sized for smaller hands, Snug-up Doll Luis is a wonderful first doll for your baby boy
What We Don't Like That Much
- We’d love to see some other color combinations for Luis, other than the (still very cute) baby blue
8Wonder Crew Superhero Buddy - Will
The Wonder Crew action figure series and the Wonder Crew Superhero Buddy combine plush, soft, and comfortable stuffed animals with the fun and exciting feeling of action figures. Standing at 15 inches tall, the doll is made of a smooth vinyl head, arms, and legs, all connected with a plush, soft body. Named Will, this specific doll has blond hair, a light skin tone, and a red superhero outfit to make him a truly unique hero.
Dressed in a red superhero cape and mask, Will is ready to conquer evil and save the world with your child’s help! Also included with the doll is a matching cape and mask for your kids to be a superhero along with their doll, really immersing them during playtime.
What we love
- All of the clothes are removable for easy cleaning
- The doll is available in many different hair colors and skin tones, inclusive for all
What We Don't Like That Much
- The doll’s head is hard, so taking extra precaution with it is important to avoid any roughhousing or misuse
9Barbie Dolphin Magic Ken Doll
The Barbie Dolphin Magic Ken Doll is a great toy for any kids interested in surfing and using their imagination to do so. Ken is dressed in a grey swim shirt with the words “Ocean Wave” and a sun on it, red and pink zig zag swim shorts, white tennis shoes, and a blonde swoop hairdo. Also included is a striped surfboard with dolphin decals, as well as a golden puppy that can ride on the surfboard with Ken.
For easy riding, there are two feet markers for Ken’s feet, and a place for the puppy to snap-in, allowing them to ride together. Play with this doll with the classic Barbie mermaid dolls, lifeguard dolls, exciting beach and pool accessories, or just create your own settings at home!
What we love
- The doll is very colorful, adding plenty of excitement to playtime
- The large surfboard is intricately detailed and fantastic for adding plenty of creative play opportunities
What We Don't Like That Much
- While Ken’s arms do move, we’d love to see more articulation in the legs and neck
10Blippi Bendable Plush Doll
Based on the show and songs on YouTube, this exciting Blippi Bendable Plush Doll is a fantastic new doll for your kids to have with them at all times. Blippi is a great character for your kids, as he teaches them how to do everyday tasks such as brushing their teeth or counting to 10, as well as interesting historical or educational elements, such as dinosaurs or how fire trucks work.
This is a 16-inch tall plush doll wearing grey pants, a blue-button up with an orange bow tie and suspenders, blue shoes with orange laces, a blue and orange cap, and some stylish orange glasses! Not only is Blippi a soft, cuddly stuffed toy, but he makes a combination of 15 different Blippi sounds and phrases by pressing on his stomach that will keep playtime fun and interesting.
What we love
- The Blippi brand has many expansion pieces, such as vehicles or blinds
- Blippi is very light and easy to carry to take for playtime anywhere
What We Don't Like That Much
- The voice box inside does require battery changes over time
11Nintendo Mario Plush Doll
Based on the classic Super Mario and the Nintendo Universe, the Nintendo Mario Plush Doll will bring your child’s favorite game character to life. Mario is dressed in his classic outfit, including a pair of blue overalls with yellow button clasps, a red long-sleeved shirt underneath, brown shoes, and a red cap on top of his classic brown hairstyle.
Pretend to ride around in a Mario Kart, jump on surprise boxes, save Princess Peach, or take Mario on any other imaginative adventures with the Nintendo Mario Plush Doll.
What we love
- The doll is 12 inches tall, making it easy to carry around
- Sufficiently stuffed with plush to make Mario very soft and cuddly
What We Don't Like That Much
- As Mario is very soft, it’s a little difficult to pose him without the aid of props
12 LEGO Batman Plush Doll
This LEGO Batman Plush Doll is ready to fight crime and stay for cuddles. Unlike actual LEGO, this Batman is soft and a lot bigger. His smile looks like the real animated character and his hands even look like the classic U shaped LEGO hands we’re all familiar with.
Dressed in his classic outfit, Batman is fully transformed into his superhero self, including both a cape, yellow belt, and a hard Batman mask! A great companion for all of your child’s dress-up and superhero playtime, this Batman Plush Doll will become a classic and beloved toy in your child’s life.
What we love
- Standing at 19 inches tall, boys can take him on many adventures
- Boost your child’s growing confidence with a superhero companion!
What We Don't Like That Much
- Take care as his bat ears may be a little pointy
In Conclusion
Whether you’re buying a Ken doll, a Batman plush doll, or a Snackin’ baby doll, there’s a doll out there for every boy. They might want to recreate their favorite Mario game or their favorite Blippi song, or they might want to play-act the life of a barista. Whatever they want to play, there’s a doll for that.
And if you’re also a fan of a good doll, there’s one for you too. The 60th Anniversary Ken Doll has a great retro 1984 workout style that’s iconic even if you don’t remember the 80s.
Of course, any good doll needs somewhere to live, so why not check out our 6 Best Barbie Doll Houses to find a great crib.