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10 Interesting Barbie Facts for Kids (2023 Updated!)

Ever since Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie came out in 2023, Barbie dolls have become even more popular than they were before. These dolls were first launched back in 1959, and took the world by storm ever since they hit the market. 

In this article, we’re going to look more closely at these dolls, how they came to be, and we’ll share some interesting facts about them as well. 

Let’s get right into it. 

History of Barbie

Ruth Handler invented Barbie dolls. When she watched her daughter play with paper dolls as a child, she observed that her daughter enjoyed giving her dolls adult roles while playing. Before Barbie dolls were invented, most girl’s dolls were baby dolls or dolls that represented infants. 

After doing some research, Handler realized that there was a gap in the market for adult-bodied dolls for young girls. When Handler first suggested the idea to her husband, he wasn’t very enthusiastic about it. 

However, a few years later, while on vacation in Germany, Handler saw discovered the Bild Lilli dolls. The doll’s physical appearance matched what she had in mind for a Barbie-like doll, and she ended up buying three of them. She redesigned the doll, giving it different clothing and named it Barbie after her daughter, Barbara. 

Barbie’s Fictional Biography

Even though it might seem strange that a doll has a biography of its own, Barbie’s popularity has led a set of authors from Random House publishers to give her a fully thought-out biography. 

Barbie’s full name is actually Barbara Millicent Roberts. She went to Willows High School and also the fictional Manhattan International High School. Barbie also has three younger sisters named Stacie, Chelsea, who was later named Kelly, and perhaps most famous of them all, Skipper. 

One of Barbie’s most famous relationships is the one with her fictional male doll boyfriend Ken. Ken’s full name is Kenneth Sean Carson, and he first appeared in 1961. After several decades of on-off dating, the pair made their relationship official in 2018. 

Barbie Facts for Kids

1. Barbie’s birthday is in March. 

While this date might seem like a random choice, Barbie’s birthday was actually the day that this doll debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York. The very first Barbie was 11 inches tall and wore a black-and-white striped one-piece swimsuit, showing that she was ready to attend a pool party. As we mentioned earlier, Barbie was the first toy for young children that wasn’t modeled after a baby or a young child.

2. The first Barbies didn’t have bellybuttons. 

While Barbies today do have bellybuttons, the first dolls manufactured in the 60s didn’t. Bellybuttons were added to these dolls several years later. 

3. Original Barbie dolls are worth a lot of money in 2023. 

The first Barbie dolls that were ever made are worth a lot of money in 2023. This is because those versions of the dolls are extremely hard to find these days, making their value higher! Those dolls used to be priced at around $3, but today, they can be sold for more than $20,000! If those dolls are in mint condition, then they are worth even more. 

4. Many celebrity Barbie dolls have been made. 

The first celebrity Barbie doll was modeled after Twiggy, an iconic model who rose to fame in the 1960s. The version of her doll wore go-go boots and spiky eyelashes, and a mod skirt. Other famous celebrities who’ve been made into Barbie dolls include Gigi Hadid, Ava Duvernay, Grace Kelly, and most recently, Stevie Nicks. 

5. Barbie has had many careers. 

Barbie’s first career was as a fashion model, but she has since had several very interesting and successful jobs! These include being a pro tennis player, an astronaut, a ballerina, a surgeon, a Rockette, and a scuba diver. The jobs listed here are only a small percentage of the jobs that she has had over the years; Barbie has worked over 200 jobs since the doll was first created. 

You can read about Tony the Tiger Facts.

6. Barbie’s signature color is pink. 

While this particular fact might not come as a surprise to anyone, this iconic doll’s signature color is pink. More specifically, Barbie’s Pantone color is PMS 219 C. 

7. Barbie dolls have been honored in ways that many other toys haven’t. 

After this doll was first created, it quickly became a cultural icon. Back in 1974, a small section of Times Square was renamed Barbie Boulevard for a whole week! Additionally, in 2016, The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris exhibited 700 Barbie dolls at the Louvre, as well as a series of artworks contexualizing Barbie! 

8. Barbie will have a theme park. 

In 2024, there will be a Barbie theme park in Phoenix, Arizona. The rides at the park reference iconic toys by Mattel, including a Thomas and Friends-themed ride, a go-kart race track that features Hot Wheels cars, and even a lifesize Barbie Beach House.

FAQs

Conclusion

In this article, we walked you through a list of interesting facts about Barbie. This iconic doll has played an important role in the history of toys, and remains one of the most popular and widely sold dolls in the world today. 

While Barbie has been criticized multiple times over the years, this doll has served as a roll model for young girls and remains a part of the cultural toy conversation. We hope you enjoyed this article and will continue to read more about Barbie in the future!