Long before Barbie took over toy aisles, there was a quieter, more affordable childhood companion gracing homes across Australia — the Kader doll.
For many children growing up in the 1960s and 70s, Kadar dolls weren’t just another toy. They were the doll you might have received for Christmas if money was tight, or the one proudly displayed in your room, even if she came in nothing but a cloth nappy and a plastic bag.
Kader dolls were manufactured in Hong Kong, likely beginning in the early 1960s. The company behind them remains a bit of a mystery — as with many toys produced in Hong Kong during that era, records are limited. What we do know is that Kader dolls were imported into Australia and sold in variety stores and department chains such as Woolworths, often positioned as a more affordable option for families who couldn’t justify the price of high-end imported dolls.
Despite their modest price tags, Kader dolls were well-made, with a classic charm that has helped them remain a nostalgic favourite for collectors today.
Kadar dolls were known for a few distinct features:
Most were sold nude or in a basic cloth nappy, sometimes with a paper label or hang tag. They came bagged in plastic, not boxed — a cost-saving measure that made them more accessible to everyday families.
Their faces were sweet and simple, with soft expressions that could feel lifelike or even a little solemn. Their charm lay in their modesty and innocence, not in fashion-forward looks or commercial gloss.
What makes Kader dolls particularly meaningful isn’t their rarity or glamour — it’s their connection to real childhoods. For many, they were the first or only doll they ever owned. They were loved (or carefully displayed!) in homes across regional Australia, often gifted by grandparents or saved up for by parents doing it tough.
Today, Kader dolls hold a deep emotional value for those who remember them. They may not fetch high prices in the collector’s market, but they carry stories, memories, and the quiet kind of magic that only childhood favourites do.
Here at My Doll Cottage, our collection includes not just one, but many original Kader dolls in different sizes— some owned by family members and now proudly on display. You can read the full story in our blog post, “The Doll That Started It All”.
These dolls may have started life in a Woolworths bargain bin, but today, they sit at the heart of our museum — a reminder that you don’t need a fancy label or expensive clothes to be cherished for a lifetime.
If you have a Kadar doll, we’d love to hear your story. Send us a photo or share a memory in the comments — after all, the true value of a doll is in the life it lived and the love it held.
With warm nostalgia,
Shyloh
The youngest daughter of a doll-collecting addict — raised on Milo, Vegemite, and more vintage lace than a country op shop.
