Limb different dolls & toys matter – here’s why

Blue background with a lighter blue circle and blue text that says, “updated toy guide | limb different dolls & toys” and a brown teddy bear with a limb different arm and @ontheotherhandtherapy

I never had a toy with a limb difference like mine – until just recently. Growing up with a partial hand, I tried so hard to adapt to the limb typical world that it didn’t occur to me that toys with limb differences like mine could be possible. I can only imagine how much my 5 year old self would have loved one of these dolls! 

But of course they’re not only possible – there now are so many incredible options available! Here are the dolls and toys I know about; please message me additional ones through social media so that I can add them to the resources page.

Download the free Inclusive Dolls & Toys Guide with hot links to the inclusive limb different toys listed below

Thumbnail of the inclusive dolls & toys guide
Preview shown; download the full printable handout below
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For children with limb differences, these toys can …
These toys can ALSO …
For children with typical limbs, these toys can …
Where do these toys belong?
How can people who are raising or work with “limb typical” children be allies?
Who makes limb difference toys?
At what age can children benefit from playing with inclusive dolls? 
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Many thanks
Links

Blue text says “limb different dolls & dolls” and a photo of Nemo with text that says, “ Nemo, the most iconic limb different character | In Pixar's 2003 "Finding Nemo, his father calls Nemo's small fin his "lucky fin” | Disney brand plush toy” and @ontheotherhandtherapy
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys | LEGO® Friends Autumn | Autumn has a partial arm and her sets come with adaptive gadgets!” along with a photo of Autumn and a photo of a girl with a partial arm with a LEGO® Friends Autumn set and @ontheotherhandtherapy

For children with limb differences, these toys can: 

  • boost self-esteem – encourage them to embrace their differences
  • offer belonging, comfort, & connection – remind them they aren’t alone
  • provide representation – help them see themselves positively
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." Two photos, one of a light skinned boy sitting with his plush doll, whose hand matches his (photo credit: @kimberly_gallagher) and one of a brown skinned girl standing holding her doll, whose hand matches hers (photo credit: @alliswell.cleaning). Text says: “A Doll Like Me | custom plush dolls customized to the child’s appearance and limb difference."
Photo credits: @kimberly_gallagher; @alliswell.cleaning
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." A photo of a child holding a Budsies doll that looks like him and has the same hand difference (photo credit: Amanda @thehandweredealt). Text says: “Budsies | custom plush dolls customized to the child’s appearance and limb difference” and @ontheotherhandtherapy.
Photo credits: @thehandweredealt

These toys can ALSO:

  • foster imaginative play that includes their differences
  • offer opportunities to practice responding to questions about their limb difference
  • open conversations with peers & siblings
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." Two photos of PAW Patrol’s Characters, Charger and Rex. Text says, “Charger features a prosthetic leg and Rex uses a wheelchair | both characters are available as a figurine and plush toy” and @ontheotherhandtherapy.
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." A photo of a Vermont Teddy Bear doll with a partial arm. Text says, “15 In. Limb Loss & Limb Difference Bear with above or below elbow or knee options (call to order)” and @ontheotherhandtherapy

For children with typical limbs, these toys can:

  • normalize disabilities & differences in body shapes/sizes
  • promote acceptance, empathy, & understanding of differences
  • serve as powerful tools for inclusion
A photo of a crocheted doll with a partial arm and text that says, “Feel Better Friends (FBF) FREE handmade dolls; personalized crocheted dolls customized to the child's limb difference or disability.”

Where do these toys belong?

Wherever children live, learn, play, & visit, such as:

  • daycares
  • extracurricular activities
  • homes of peers & loved ones
  • public libraries, recreational & after care centers
  • schools & educational facilities
  • summer camps
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." A photo of four The Doll for All’s dolls with various limb differences. Text says, “ 18" doll with upper & lower limb difference options” and @ontheotherhandtherapy
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." A photo of A Step Ahead Prosthetics’ customized American Girl Doll with a partial arm. Text says, “customized 18" American Girl Doll with arm/leg prosthetic or none” and ontheotherhandtherapy.

How can people who are raising or work with “limb typical” children be allies?

  • promote inclusive toys with educators, librarians, & program staff
  • encourage children to role play asking kind questions
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." Two photos: a mermaid with brown skin and a partial arm and a large white bird with a shortened wing. Text says “Crochet-ABLES | custom crocheted dolls and animals matched to any limb difference” and @ontheotherhandtherapy.
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." Two photos of Barbie® and Ken® dolls with a prosthetic leg. Text says, “Mattel’s Barbie® and Ken® posable dolls with prosthetic leg” and @ontheotherhandtherapy.

Who makes limb difference toys?

  • Plush dolls and animals
    • A Doll Like Me – custom plush dolls customized to the child’s difference
    • Budsies – custom plush dolls customized to the child’s difference                     
    • Crochet-ABLEs – custom crocheted dolls and animals matched to any limb difference
    • Feel Better Friends (FBF) – free custom crocheted dolls matched to the child’s limb difference or any disability
    • Kikilishop – personalized cloth rag dolls featuring upper and/or lower limb differences
    • Mayana & Friends – a collection of animal plushies representing diverse limb differences
    • Roxy – companion plush 3 legged dog to The Adventures of Roxy Roo
    • Uniquely Me – companion doll to Trace Wilson’s book Uniquely Me
    • Vermont Teddy Bear with the Amputee Coalition – plush bears with limb differences; orders must be made by phone   
  • 18″ “realistic” dolls
  • Action figures + character toys
    • Disney® – Nemo has a smaller “lucky fin”
    • LEGO® – Autumn (Friends line) has a partial arm and her sets come with adaptive gadgets
    • Mattel® – Barbie® and Ken® with a prosthetic leg; part of the Fashionista line
    • PAW Patrol’s Charger has a prosthetic leg and Rex uses a wheelchair; available in figurines and plush dolls
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." A photo of the children’s picture book Uniquely Me by Trace Wilson, the companion plush doll, and a light skinned boy holding his doll (photo credit: @ashley_marotta; @luckyfinjordan). Text says, “companion doll to Uniquely Me” and @ontheotherhandtherapy.
photo credit:
@ashley_marotta and @luckyfinjordan
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." A photo of 3 legged plush dog Roxy from the children’s picture book The Adventures of Roxy Roo by Hillary Sussman and a photo of a light skinned girl with a smiley face over her face and a prosthetic leg holding the plush dog (photo credit: @adventuresofroxyroo. Text says, “plush dog with 3 legs companion to children’s picture book” and @ontheotherhandtherapy.
photo credit:
@adventuresofroxyroo

At what age can children benefit from playing with inclusive dolls? 

  • the younger the better!
  • it’s never too early to make the world kinder & more inclusive
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." Two photos of light skinned Kikilishop’s Limb Difference Dolls: on the left a girl doll with a partial hand and on the right a boy doll with a partial leg. Text says, “personalized cloth rag dolls featuring upper and/or lower limb differences” and @ontheotherhandtherapy.
Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." A photo of three Mayana and friends animal plush dolls (a dog with a partial arm, an alligator with one leg, and a monkey with a partial arm). Text says, “a collection of animal plush dolls representing diverse limb differences” and @ontheotherhandtherapy.

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I receive a small commission from purchases made through my Amazon storefront, at no additional cost to you. Occasionally companies send me free products to try; Mayana & Friends sent me their adorable “Dougie” doll.

These dolls that previously were available are no longer being made; you may be able to find them on Ebay or used online.

Blue text says, “limb different dolls & toys." Photo of two dolls with prosthetic legs, “My Life” as a gymnast with prosthetic leg by Walmart and “Our Generation” with prosthetic leg by Target. Text says, “18" realistic dolls with prosthetic leg | No longer being made; search online for used” and @ontheotherhandtherapy.
  • “My Life” as a gymnast with prosthetic leg by Walmart
  • “Our Generation” with prosthetic leg by Target

Many thanks

Many thanks to the families for sharing photos of their children with their dolls: @alliswell.cleaning; @kimberly_gallagher, Amanda from the @thehandweredealt, @ashley_marotta and @luckyfinjordan, and @adventuresofroxyroo.

👉 Links for all of the toys and dolls are on the resources page
👉 See this post on Instagram (three parts)
👉 See this post in the “H2L Innovation Station” column in the Hands to Love newsletter

© 2026. Laura Faye Clubok, OTD, OTR/L, On The Other Hand Therapy. All rights reserved.

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