The wait is over – the new Barbie movie is finally here, and it’s so much fun! The film is based on many of the Barbie characters created since this fabulous doll first hit the shelves way back in 1959. Barbies have been made with over 200 careers, from president, astronaut to zoologist, to give girls around the world inspirational role models.

We also love the way the Barbie brand continually strives to create dolls that are inclusive. The Barbie Fashionistas line has introduced more than 175 looks with a variety in skin tones, hair textures, body diversity and dolls reflecting people with disabilities. In fact, they recently unveiled their first ever doll with Down’s syndrome in a campaign with British model Ellie Goldstein.

Barbie have also released findings which show that doll playtime gives children more benefits than just a happy time. A study from Cardiff University found that playing with dolls allows children to develop empathy and social information processing skills. Doll play activates brain regions which are associated with social information processing and empathy, indicating that doll play enables children to rehearse, use and perform these skills even when playing on their own.