The power of play: Barbie debuts with insulin pump

There’s a Barbie now who wears a continuous glucose monitor on her arm, held in place by heart-shaped pink tape. Her insulin pump is clipped to her waist, her blue polka-dot outfit disseminates diabetes awareness, and the phone in her tiny plastic hand shows a real-time blood sugar reading, lifted from a designer’s actual day living with Type 1 diabetes.

Unveiled at the Breakthrough T1D 2025 Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C., this is Barbie’s first-ever Type 1 diabetes.

Mattel collaborated with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), one of the world’s leading diabetes advocacy groups, to design the doll. The result is meticulous, medically accurate, and emotionally resonant. “Introducing a Barbie doll with Type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation,” said Krista Berger, SVP of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls.

But this is not Barbie’s first act of empathy. Over the last few years, the brand has introduced dolls with Down syndrome, vitiligo, hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, and wheelchairs — part of a slow but significant shift across the toy industry. Dolls aren’t just pretty anymore. They’re real. They have stories. And more importantly, they help children understand themselves and others.

The evolution in toys coincides with a growing emphasis on wellness and mental health among manufacturers. The COVID-19 pandemic left behind more than just empty classrooms — it triggered social isolation, developmental delays, and emotional stress in children, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Toymakers have responded that play is healing.

“Fidget toys, sensory kits, and DIY wellness crafts are booming,” says Maddie Michalik of The Toy Association. “They offer kids tangible tools to cope with stress, develop emotional awareness, and explore self-expression.”

Dolls and action figures, in particular, remain timeless vehicles for empathy. A study from Cardiff University found that even solo doll play helps children process emotions and practice caregiving skills that translate directly into real-world social intelligence. And it doesn’t stop there. Building blocks improve motor skills and problem-solving. Art supplies like crayons and paints foster emotional expression and confidence. Even classic board games teach patience, focus, and emotional regulation — like learning to lose with grace, or celebrating someone else’s win.

In Vermont, where toymaking is still a craft, companies like Maple Landmark, Mary Meyer, and Vermont Teddy Bear continue to produce tactile, wellness-boosting toys. Whether it’s a name-spelling wooden train or a soft stuffed unicorn, these toys are rooted in comfort and connection.

And if cost is a concern, The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative offers free downloadable playbooks that include kid-friendly yoga, calming crafts, and STEAM puzzles that use household items.

Doll play, in particular, continues to prove its depth. “Young children mirror their daily routines — feeding, hugging, bedtime,” says educator Dan Wuori on X. “They play what they live, and dolls help them make sense of it all.”

Lila Moss gets her own T1D Barbie

Kate Moss’ daughter Lila Moss is now a Barbie —insulin pump and all. The 22-year-old model, who lives with Type 1 diabetes, was honoured with a one-of-a-kind doll in her likeness to celebrate the launch of Barbie’s first diabetic doll.

“I think to have a Barbie that looks like me with Type 1 diabetes is completely surreal,” said Lila on her Instagram post.

Strides toward inclusivity

Over the last few years, the brand has introduced dolls with Down syndrome, vitiligo, hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, and wheelchairs - part of a slow but significant shift across the toy industry.