Mattel has a new line of gender-neutral dolls

Move aside, Barbie and Ken. Mattel, the company that created Barbie over 60 years ago, has come out with a new line of dolls that are gender-neutral and that are being marketed to both girls and boys.

The Creatable World collection features six different dolls with a range of skin colors and hair types that can be customized to be either short and cropped or long and flowing thanks to the included hair extensions.

Each doll retails for $29.99 and comes complete with a kit of different clothes and accessories. Kids can dress up each doll in skirts or pants, or both, and add accessories like sunglasses, shoes and hats. According to Mattel, it’s possible to create over 100 different looks with one kit, as seen in the Instagram post below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B20d5mGH-4Q/

Unlike Barbie and Ken, who have been criticized for their unrealistic body images, the Creatable Dolls have tween-like bodies without any distinguishing female or male characteristics. The result is that the dolls don’t conform to typical gender roles, and that’s exactly what Mattel had in mind when the company created them. No matter what gender or style a child identifies with, the dolls can be customized to reflect a similar image.

According to a statement from Kim Culmone, the senior vice president of Mattel Fashion Doll Design: “Toys are a reflection of culture and as the world continues to celebrate the positive impact of inclusivity, we felt it was time to create a doll line free of labels… Through research, we heard that kids don’t want their toys dictated by gender norms. This line allows all kids to express themselves freely, which is why it resonates so strongly with them.”

Creatable Dolls are on sale now at retail stores like Amazon, Walmart and Target and would make a wonderful holiday gift this season for any doll-loving child.