Barbie Games and Princesses

Today in the toy aisle of a major store, I was struck by the sorts of Barbie games available. As I looked for a toy suitable for a girl turning three I noticed that there was a rather large assortment of Barbie games that weren't actually Barbie. They were all princess Barbie games. Mattel, in conjunction with Disney, has released a huge assortment of Barbies that are modeled after the most popular princesses in animated films.

I wasn't ready to commit to a Barbie just yet - I think Christmas would be better for the first of the Barbie games this little girl is going to receive, so I didn't pick anything out. But I was impressed by the sheer number of little girl princess Barbies available. They were sold in packages with multiple princesses and there were different dolls to accommodate the different outfits for each princess. It was truly impressive just how many Barbie princess games where were.

Barbie Games and Brunettes

It’s funny if you think about it. Of all the various Barbie dolls available in the toy stores, there are probably two brunettes for every blonde beauty. So why do we insist and picture Barbie as a blonde? It is the Barbie movies that have made us convinced that Barbie is really a blonde? I guess this could very well be the case.

It may also be true that the actual doll named Barbie is, in fact, a blonde. But what about all of those other dolls who have darker hair? If you do a bit of research, it turns out that most of those dolls aren’t actually named Barbie. Most of them are Barbie’s friends and they have their own names and special elements. But the point remains – when we think about playing Barbies, why do we immediately assume we’re playing with a blonde doll? I, for one, have always enjoyed the darker haired dolls more anyhow.

Barbie Games Basics

Barbie games are simple to understand. If they weren't, the Barbie games wouldn't be a favorite of little girls for more than fifty years now. With the classic Barbie dolls, girls can get the dolls dressed up in their favorite fashions and styles. They can move the dolls around the giant Barbie dream house and drive her around in the pretty pink car. But there is much more to do with Barbie games that doesn’t involve quite so much in the way of large plastic stuff.

Some of the best Barbie games are online. Online Barbie games are simple to play, just like the regular versions. If anything, they are even simpler. In a Barbie game, the doll stands at the ready in some basic underclothes. The rest of Barbie’s clothing is off to the side, and you simple drag and drop the items you’d like Barbie to wear onto her body. The online Barbie games are essentially a virtual paper doll, and dressing up Barbie this way is not only easier than the classic dolls, but there is a much greater variety as well.

Barbie Games and the Preppy Movement

There have been lots of names for the preps over the years. Preppy kids, Preps, Socs (remember the Outsiders?) and who knows what else. But it all boils down to the same thing – the preppy kids are the ones who wear the latest conservative fashions with a trendy bent. They are into labels usually and a particular fit or style of clothing. If it fits well, looks great and has the right label, it’s just the sort of thing that the preppy kids love. And Barbie games have long been the poster child of the preppy movement.

Barbie games have occasionally tried to deviated from a conservative preppy thing, but usually they just fall right back into the same routines. After all, the conservative prep thing really works for Barbie. What’s perhaps the most interesting thing to watch in the conservative fashion games of Barbie games is the actual preppy style. Leotards and leg warmers gave way to boot cut jeans and adorable tops. Boots came and went and high heels are forever. Barbie games are simply an ideal expression of preppy fashion choices.

Barbie Games Still Going Strong

Barbie games have been around for decades – they are older than any other fashion doll out there. In fact, they were introduced to fill a void in the toy market. But despite her age, Barbie is still a very strong presence in the world of only fashion and the Barbie games just seem to be getting better with time. Barbie’s market share has gone up dramatically over the last few years, and that may be because we crave something familiar with the economy still in a slump.

Or it may be due simply to the fact that our toy budget is now being spent on toys that have a lasting impact. With Barbie games, you can play with the dolls for hours and never play the same game twice. You can easily sit with your Barbie games and create scenario after scenario to enjoy every day. You’re not restricted to Barbie games in your room, of course, there are plenty of Barbie games online to provide hours of amusement as well – and for those with limited Barbie fashions, the online Barbie games may provide more enjoyment as the fashion selection is wider.

Barbie Games and Romance

How many of us got our first taste of romance from Barbie games? This was immortalized in Toy Story 3 when we got to watch Barbie and Ken get together for the first time - even if that went sour in the middle. But even without a movie showing us the two are made for each other, we already knew that Barbie games include more than fashion - they include passion as well.

Stop to consider the different dolls available. There are endless princess dolls in the Barbie collections and there are more than a few brides and formal dresses. You can't have a bride without a groom and every princess has her prince or at least a guy to help her across the royal ballroom floor. So that means that every Barbie game that includes a girl probably has a boy somewhere that needs to fill in for important roles. It's no surprise that Barbie games are romantic - we're the one who used to make the dolls date and kiss after all!

Barbie Games and Long Car Trips

There is something promising about a long car trip. Sure, it might get a bit boring in the back seat from time to time, but wise parents know that the best way to beat boredom is to start a game for the kids riding back there. And what better game could possibly be available than the Barbie games that are so affordable and available?

Before you start your car trip, swing by the toy store and look for the Barbie games that are on sale this week – there are always a few new games on sale. For less than twenty dollars, you can walk out of the store with two new Barbie games and perhaps some accessories as well. Wrap up the dolls and present them to your young passengers before the car trip actually begins. A few miles into the hours of driving and you’ll be pleased to hear the laughter and fun coming from the backseat.