Little girls, ages 3-6 love dolls. They are old enough to start role playing and have fun being “mommy” and caring for their dolls. My daughter has always loved playing with her dolls, pretending to take them to the mall, caring for them when they are sick, and setting up birthday parties for them.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when buying a doll for play is its durability. Dolls are meant to be played with and sometimes the more basic dolls are the ones that get the most play.

My recommendations for the best dolls for girls ages 3-6 are:

Bitty Baby by American Girl

Bitty Baby is a girls’ first best friend (see photo above). My daughter got her Bitty at age 3 from Santa and the two of them have been best pals since. Even now, as she is about to turn 7, Bitty Baby is still her favorite and she has been all over the world. Bitty Baby is 15″ tall, starts at $42 and can be ordered directly from American Girl.

Bitty Twins by American Girl

The toddler version of Bitty Baby, the Bitty Twins have longer hair that girls can brush and style. That is part of their appeal. The Bitty Twin accessories are also geared more toward the Preschool/Kindergarten age and include a bed, kitchen, potty training set, and more. The Twins are exactly the same size as Bitty Baby – 15″. You can order the Bitty Twins (who come in a variety of skin color combinations and there is also a boy twin) directly from American Girl.

My Twinn Baby

The My Twinn Baby doll is 15″ long and comes in different combinations of skin/eye color. When you order the My Twinn Baby doll you can name it and they will personalize baby’s bib with its name.

Penelope Peapod

Penelope Peapod (shown Penelope Peapod Picnics in the Park Doll with Basket) is just the cutest thing! Her bassinet quickly turns into a purse making Penelope Peapod easy to take EVERYWHERE. She is available in a variety of colors and oh so cute. Her design is based on an old-fashioned, grandmother-made design and she is an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Medal Winner.

Corolle dolls

Corolle is definitely one of my favorite doll manufacturers! They have a huge selection of dolls for girls of all ages. We have a few that we have had since my 10 year old was 3 and 4 that were vanilla scented. They still have their scent and my daughter has such fond memories of Baby Judy and her friend. The Corolle Tidoo Bright Doll shown here is completely water tight and lightweight which makes her a bath safe doll. Actually the entire Tidoo line are crafted specifically so they can be taken in the tub and dry quickly. See a large selection of Corolle dolls.

Madame Alexander Baby

The Madame Alexander Baby Cuddles series are 14″ cuddly baby dolls that are available in a variety of sets. You can get her feeding set, windy day set, and others. She is just so cute though!

And even more great choices for the best dolls for girls ages 3-6:

Paul Drink-and-Wet Bath Baby Minireves Confettis Baby Doll by Corolle Mary Meyer TAGGIES Baby Doll Corolle Calin Yang Asian Baby Doll Corolle Calin Naima African American Baby Doll Corolle Babipouce Pink Striped 11-inch Baby Doll – Babicorolle Collection Corolle Calin Sorbet 12-inch Baby Doll – Mon Premier Collection Corolle 2011 Suce Pouce Blue Les Classiques 14" Baby Doll Corolle Minireves Bright Striped 6-inch Plush Baby Doll Corolle Interactive 17 inch Lia Baby Doll Corolle Miss Grenadine First Soft Baby Doll Corolle Bebe Charmeur 14 inch Baby Doll Corolle P’Tit Ange First Baby Doll Corolle Emma Drink-and-Wet Bath Baby Doll Corolle Bebe Do Mode 14-inch Baby Doll – Les Classiques Collection Corolle Bebe Tresor Les Fonctions 14" Baby Doll Corolle 2011 Suce Pouce Pink Les Classiques 14" Baby Doll Corolle Paul Drink-and-Wet Bath Baby Doll Miss Corolle Camille Equestrienne 13-inch Doll Corolle P’Tit Ange 12-inch Baby Doll – Les Classiques Collection Corolle Babipouce Asian 11-inch Baby Doll – Babicorolle Collection