I'm writing this because I just finished cleaning out my daughter's room. There must have been fifteen Polly Pocket dolls under the bed and in every crack and crevice there were Polly's accessories. Every holiday, birthday or whatever someone buys my daughter more Polly Pocket dolls. I appreciate the sentiment, and my daughter loves them. However thoughtful they are of her I don't believe they keep me in mind every time they give them to her. I am continuously digging them out from between my toes, and believe me they hurt when you step on them. Every time I sweep the floor I find Polly Pocket paraphernalia.

Why Does She Love Them So Much

I have watched my daughter play with Polly for hours. She dresses them. They have vehicles. They have little houses. My Stepfather loves it when a toy he buys my kids is a hit. So he and my Mother always give them to her. I asked her why she likes them so much (she is 5 years old). She says, "because I have a Polly Mall and they play their guitars and stuff". That from the mind of a 5 year old. My guess is that she can imagine all kinds of grand adventures with them and they are never dressed the same way twice.

A Little History

There was no such thing as Polly Pocket when I was a kid. Polly (according to Wikipedia) was first designed by Chris Wiggs in 1983 for his daughter Kate. Using a powder compact, he fashioned a small house for the tiny doll. Bluebird Toys of Swindon, England licensed the concept and the first Polly Pocket appeared in stores in 1989. Mattel took over Blue bird in 1998. Mattel redesigned Polly in 1999. Apparently she is larger and more life like than the original.

Polly doesn't wear traditional cloth clothing she wears "Polly Stretch" clothes and clip on clothes. "Polly Stretch" clothes are rubbery plastic clothes that can be put on the doll and removed. Polly's clip on clothes are made of thin, hard, plastic, and clip together using magnets embedded in the plastic. There are girl and boy dolls. Polly has her own website; everythinggirl.com, where girls can play interactive games with her. Polly stars in videos and books.

It's a Love/Hate Thing

Love

I love that Polly dolls and accessories are relatively inexpensive. I'd say the fact that they are so inexpensive is likely why everyone gives them to my daughter. I love the fact that my daughter can entertain herself with them for hours. I love the fact that when my daughter gets some Polly dolls it makes her really happy. I like to play with Polly too, she has the cutest outfits. I like the fact that they are so small you can take them anywhere (keeps my kid from whining if we have to go somewhere like the doctors office and have to wait). My daughter loves to go and play on Polly's website.

Hate

I hate finding Polly's things all over the house. The pieces and parts to the dolls get misplaced almost as soon as you open the package they come in. The dog loves to chew them up. I am looking at a Polly accessory right now where it doesn't belong.

Little girls love Polly Pocket. Moms have a love/hate relationship with her. Well, at least I do.