Though the new family members (the parents, at least) were about the same size as Barbie and Ken dolls, fashion and luxury living was not their thing.
Instead, the cute little mom, dad and baby — Stephie, Steve and Sweets — did stuff like riding around on their tricycle built for three, and running a craft shack out of the back of their camper. (They probably also made their own granola, and told stories about when they were at Woodstock.)
Despite the dolls’ hippie roots, there was nothing “free-love” about the family’s wardrobe: Stephie typically wore a very conservative long flowery dress, white apron and flat sandals; while Steve was perpetually attired in a sweater, slacks, and brown work boots.
After the original toys achieved some success, the grandparents and some pets were introduced. Soon after that, the neighborhood welcomed “The Happy Family,” the SF’s Black counterparts — Hattie, Hal and baby Hon. Various other sets and family incarnations followed.
There were numerous playsets — the fabulous folding house, the farm, an add-on baby’s room, the van shown above, a craft shack and more — which you can see below.
Sure, the Age of Aquarius doll concept sounds a little hokey now — but believe me: I adored the fold-up house, and was the happiest 6-year-old on the planet when Santa delivered the van with “piggyback shack” one Christmas. (That’s me above, intensely working to assemble the truck.)
And on my next birthday, when I got the family’s tricycle kit, too? Nirvana had truly been achieved. – NJP
Like Hippie Barbie got married: The Sunshine Family wholesome dolls from the 70s
Things to do and things to make, Sunshine Family style
This unique idea starts with our wholesome family of back-to-nature dolls. Mommy and daddy and their little baby. Neighborly folks. With homey family activities for your child to share.
But there’s a lot more to The Sunshine Family idea! Because each family of dolls and each Sunshine Family accessory comes with its own things-to-make Idea Book.
Special little craft playbooks that show your child how to make a world of realistic things for her Sunshine Family dolls, just by using everyday odds and ends she’ll find around the house.
There are a lot of different Idea Books. And each one will spark hours of creative play for your child. She’ll discover the fun of making things for The Sunshine Family grandparents. And for their pets. And all kinds of handmade craft items to fill up the family Craft Store, too.
Then, day by day, she’ll be creating a world of her own, Sunshine Family-style. And that’s the whole, big, beautiful idea! From Mattel
The Sunshine Family Van with Piggyback Shack
A van full of fun sets out for the fair with crafts & things to make ‘n share. Belts & purses, flowerpots, too. There are so many things that you can do! There’s even an Idea Book of at-home projects from your own materials, too.
The Sunshine Family Home (dollhouse)
A 4-room home you help design & decorate! Kitchen/patio/bedroom/living room
Help the Sunshine Family dolls decorate their home
Add your ideas to these fun ones from the idea book!
- Grow lots of potato plants. Plant them in tiny paper cups. They’re good for outside or inside the house!
- Braid some yarn to make a braided rug!
- Glue empty cardboard matchboxes togther to make a dresser!
- Make a sofa out of a milk carton!
- Try a chair, too!
- Make an ice cream stick fence!
The Sunshine Family dolls: Craft Store playset
A big, friendly place… where you can help The Sunshine Family dolls make & sell crafts & share good times with friends & neighbors.
With spinning wheel that really spins! / With pottery wheel that really works!
Vintage Sunshine Family Farm kit (1970s)
Barrels of fun! Bushels of adventure! Friendly animals and so much to see and do!
Vintage Sunshine Family baby’s room playset
Sunshine Family Farm playsets: Barn, produce stand, truck
Milk the cow, hoe the garden on the Sunshine Family Farm
What you get: 2-story hardboard barn, working water pump, fencing, tools, winch, rooster, hen that lays eggs, cow that drinks and can be milked.
Sunshine Family produce truck: 17-inch long plastic pickup truck. Moveable wheels. 5 chipboard “produce” crates. Rake, shovel, hoe, pruner, clippers, decals for truck.
Musical rocking chair: Plastic. For dolls up to 12 inches tall. Turn knob, music plays while chair rocks.
Sunshine Family Produce Stand: Hardboard stand 13-1/2 inches high. 4 chipboard baskets of “produce,” gardening tools, 6 plastic pots. Plus packet of real seeds.
The Sunshine Family Surrey Cycle
Where one goes, happily they all go… on a tricycle built for three!
ALSO SEE: See 50 vintage banana seat bikes for kids from the 60s & 70s
The Sunshine Family Backyard Picnic Project vintage 70s craft set
YOU MIGHT LIKE: Vintage pasta crafts: Cute & creative decorations made with dried noodles, based on ideas from the ’60s
Several sets of The Sunshine Family dolls & vintage playsets
Photo from 2013 courtesy Mears Online Auctions
Introducing a whole new world of sunshine!
Say hello to The Sunshine Family. A unique new family of dolls whose world your children can share and create.
1. Mother, Dad and Baby have their own special house and furniture. But that’s only the beginning.
2. The dolls come with this book of “do it yourself” play suggestions. It shows your children how to make The Sunshine Family playthings and furniture with paste, string, scraps of fabric, crayons — and imagination.
3. They can, for instance, turn a milk carton into a table.
4. A berry basket becomes a crib, and a spool can become a planter.
5. Bit by bit, your children can create the Sunshine Family world. And as they do, they share the fun and excitement of their own family adventures.
The fun shines on and on.
This wholesome family loves their potato chips
This Christmas, Lay’s can make The Sunshine Family part of your Family
Get a $1.00 refund coupon for the dolls when you buy Lay’s Potato Chips.
The Sunshine Family fashions – Party time and at the beach
The Sunshine Fun Family fashion sets for the vintage dolls
Doll clothing & doll house: The Sunshine Fun Family has fun at a party — Has fun in cozy winter coverups — Has fun at the beach — Has fun playing sports
ALSO SEE: Liddle Kiddles dolls from the 60s & 70s were cute & fun, but disappeared for a surprising reason
Vintage Sunshine Family idea book of things to make (1970s)
Craft projects
Recipe for clay (salt dough), make some pots, hanging planters, make a baby swing
The Sunshine Family in Germany
These dolls speak German, but live in exactly the same kind of mid-century American house!
14 Responses
Don’t know how I got here,but I sure want to come back,one of the best sites I’ve found !
I had these dolls, but lost them during my move from Massachusetts to California in 1975. Only thing I didn’t like about the dolls was they did not have the clothing choices like Barbie and Ken did.
Daughter born 1/71. Must have bought one of first families(sunshines,grparents,pets,Surrey.)all still in great shape even with plenty of playtime. Daughter lives in CO,healthy living, exercise & food. Hippy & & basic to big degree. Love the Sunshines
I found one of these dolls about 3 years ago in a thrift shop I believe I have the mom doll I was wondering if these are worth anything
I just found the mama doll at a thrift store, I wanted these for my daughter so badly but just couldn’t afford them at the time, but I’ve found all the family, went to a new thrift store and found the house in their show case. Collection complete!
Enjoyed playing with Stephie, Steve and baby Sweets growing up. I picked them out for my 10th birthday. We got to pick out our birthday gifts (anything under $20.00).
I enjoyed making their bed out of Kleenex boxes and taught my daughter how to do this even with her Barbie dolls.
I actually loved the name Stephie so much I name my daughter Stephanie and even today still call her Stephie.
Lovely ❤️
Just found this site. I have the whole family and a lot of extras. Can’t wait to make a nice display in my new sewing room, in my new apartment.
My daughter, who is now 50, has been asking for several years if we have ever found her Sunshine family. She absolutely loved it. That was her favorite thing she ever received. I think my husband must have gotten rid of it. He has gotten rid of a lot of things that I have been upset over the years. I would give anything to find the whole entire set. She had everything that was ever made for it. I found the original house and three dolls a couple of years ago on EBay and I could kick myself for not buying it. I will probably never come across one again in as good of a shape as it was.
Hi Carolyn,
I have the three doll set, house, and all the furniture it came with.
All are in very good condition.
Please let me know if you are still interested in them.
HI Sharon,
Obviously I’m not Carolyn but I was wondering if you still have the doll set and house still available? My doll’s legs melted in an attic years ago but the truck survived along with some of their pots and pans. Would you be willing to sell to me? My granddaughter would enjoy them.
Thank you
Carolyn, I have the parents, grandparents, twin babies, and big sister, with their clothing. My boys are not interested, so looking to sell. If you are interested, see if you can find me online and connect with me.
The juxtaposition of the Sunshine Family and Barbie in the German ad is striking. While the Sunshine Family is just chilling at home with the grandparents, Barbie is out sailing in the tropics, horseback riding and luxuriating in a bubble bath! I wonder how many kids saw that ad and were attracted to either the Sunshine Family’s homespun charm or Barbie’s more adventurous, independent lifestyle.
With the new movie out there was mention of Barbie and Ken. I said I just loved my Sunshine Family Farm. I told my boyfriend (he’s 57) all about the cow you could milk, the chickens that lay eggs, and the trough where you could pump the water. He almost sounded like he didn’t believe me. I did a quick search and found this page. I had no idea there was more, like a pottery wheel, a spinning wheel, and all the other amazing sets. I was happy with what I had. Kids these days think they need it all to be happy. It made me wonder, if I had known about all the other sets as a kid would I have felt disappointed not having them? Probably not. I was always raised to be grateful for what I had. What a spectacular find though to see all these incredible toys from my childhood.