For kids with a favorite stuffed animal or dolly, there's perhaps nothing more exciting than caring for them with all manner of accessories. Pretend play is essential for childhood development, and role-playing with dolls helps to encourage social-emotional regulation, social skills, and the fostering of empathy and compassion. While must-have accessories include a changing station, high chair, and stroller, a baby doll's cradle is also an important accessory. We've weeded through to find the most durable — and adorable — baby doll cradles. Here are a few of our favorites. Melissa & Doug Wooden Play Cradle Sweet and SturdyThis wooden doll cradle has the sweetest features for a well-loved dolly.Best OverallFind on Amazon This darling wooden baby doll cradle has all the essential features of a real crib, just pint-sized to fit your little one’s most beloved dolly. Made from real wood, it’s sturdy, rocks smoothly, and has the sweetest little details. With a removable mattress that’s cozy for tiny baby dolls, this crib needs nothing more than your little one’s excitement to bring it all to life. This cradle works well on its own or with other must-have essentials for your child’s play area. Pros: White wood easily wipes clean Fits dolls up to 20″ tall Can stand alone or work along with other Mine to Love pieces Cons: The included mattress is a tad thin Does not include blankets or other sleep accessories American Plastic Toys Nursery Baby Doll Playset All-in-OneThis plastic station has nearly everything your little one needs for a well-accessorized doll corner. Most VersatileFind on Amazon For smaller spaces, this versatile baby doll playset has a little bit of everything. With a sink and cabinet on one end, a high chair with a tray and eating set on the other, and a crib with storage underneath, your little one can play house for hours on end and keep everything in one tidy corner. Complete with a hanging baby mobile, this set even has other thoughtful accessories such as a sippy cup, baby powder, feeding utensils, and a storage basket in which to put everything when it’s time to clean up. Pros: Entire set is made from BPA-free, phthalate-free plastic for durability and safety Made in the USA All-in-one design is great for small spaces Cons: Assembly is time-consuming The under-sink doors don’t always stay shut New York Doll Collection Mega Play Set Cute and Compact This cute set folds away for super simple storage.Easiest to StoreFind on Amazon Including three important furniture pieces for dolls, this set has a pack-n-play style crib, a high chair with a tray, and a bouncy chair for keeping that little dolly entertained. Fitting dolls up to 18″ tall, this playset features an adorable heart print that makes for one cohesive look. With sturdy construction at a smaller size, your little one will fall in love with their play-house area. And when it’s time to clean up and store this set, it all easily folds for compact storage that keeps it entirely out of sight. Especially for smaller spaces, that’s a design feature we love. Pros: All pieces easily fold for compact storage Adorable print on fabric that easily wipes clean Cost-effective value set Cons: Initial set-up is a bit confusing Not the most durable, but you can’t beat the price Olivia’s Little World Wooden Baby Doll Crib with Storage Bin Cradle Station and StorageThis cradle comes with a darling dresser underneath for doll accessory storage.Best Storage Find on Amazon For the baby doll with all the accessories, this crib and storage combo keeps everything neat and tidy in one organized space. The multi-purpose crib area can also double as a changing pad area, as the side rail is removable. Made of wooden MDF and lead-free paint, this is a sturdy design that’ll last through years of house play for your little mama or dada. Although this entire crib takes up a bit of room, we love that there are built-in storage features that help keep other doll accessories together in an organized fashion. Pros: Includes a blanket and two matching storage bins Easy to assemble All pieces of set are sturdy and durable Cons: The hinges on the door aren’t the most durable The cabinet door’s knob isn’t the best fit KidKraft Scalloped-Edge Wooden Rocking Cradle Vintage RockerThis old-school rocking cradle is an ideal antique-style choice for putting kiddo's dolls to bed.Best Antique-Inspired Find on Amazon For those who love a beautiful, antique-inspired wooden cradle, look no further than this sweet option from KidKraft. This pretty rocker has scalloped edges, raised bow designs on the outer panels, and fits dolls up to 20″ tall. Made of solid wood, this is a cradle of heirloom quality for a favorite baby doll. Made with quality in mind, this is a rocking cradle that’ll last through many hand-me-downs. Including a cradle pad, a comforter, and a pillow, your mini-me will absolutely delight in this play cradle. Pros: Beautiful antique-inspired finish and details Easy to assemble Solid and steady materials and build Cons: The paint isn’t the most durable The bottom can be a bit unstable Frequently Asked Questions What’s the best size baby doll crib for a child that has a variety of dolls? Because there is a wide variety of doll sizes, we think it’s best to go for a doll crib that’s around 20″. That way, you’ll be able to fit both smaller and larger dolls and stuffed animals, making it more useful for a wide variety of favorite stuffies and dolls. What is the benefit of playing with dolls and doll accessories? Playing with dolls is about more than just role-playing. Along with helping develop empathy, doll play may allow children to access their social processing information and social skills in general. It also helps with fine motor skills during dressing play and encourages a deeper understanding of their daily experiences. Related posts: The Best Beds For Small Dogs The Best Puppy Toys The Best Small Dog Beds