From the Toysit archive
Pop Sensation Barbie
Explore Pop Sensation Barbie’s star-shaped stage, dancing movement and sing-along headset, then create a miniature concert set list.
The play at a glance
A blue star stage for a singer and her audience
Turquoise trousers, fluffy blue shoulder trim and long crimped hair give Pop Sensation Barbie a bright concert look. Her blue stage is shaped like a star, with a small silver boombox at the back. The doll dances as music plays, and a child-size microphone headset lets the player join the performance.
Put the performer on her stage
The guide shows holes in the doll’s shoes fitting over posts on the stage. The boombox sits on pegs at the back, where its buttons work the stage’s controls. One control starts or pauses playback; another changes between the two built-in songs. A switch selects low or high volume, and three C alkaline batteries power the stage.
Imagine the star-shaped platform as the center of a tiny concert hall. A player might announce the singer, give the audience a greeting and choose a name for the evening’s show. Other dolls can become guests, musicians or the person introducing the next song.
Join in with the headset
The child’s microphone headset connects to the upper jack on the side of the stage. The lower jack accepts the supplied cord for an external music source. The doll has her own miniature pretend headset, giving singer and player matching stage roles. The illustrated guide shows the connections and the correct placement of the doll and boombox.
A costume change can become part of the show, too. Try inventing a short backstage scene: a friend brings the next outfit, the singer chooses an opening line, and the announcer checks the set list. The player supplies those conversations and decides when the audience asks for an encore.
Write a tiny concert set list
- Give the concert a name and draw a star on the program.
- Write an opening greeting for the performer.
- Invent two song titles and a gesture to accompany each one.
- Choose a doll, puppet or paper singer and perform a short introduction for each song.
- Finish with a thank-you and an encore chosen by the audience.
This original Toysit activity uses your own words, humming or clapping. Each player can take a turn as performer, announcer or audience member.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original toy description and broader play discussion are preserved below as historical coverage.
Plug in the headset to hear two cool songs or sing along to your stereo - the microphone really works.
You and Barbie are pop stars. Plug in the headset to hear two cool songs or sing along to your stereo - the microphone really works. Plus, Barbie dances on the stand to the music and has two dazzling concert outfits that will wow the crowds. Barbie stays in the mainstream by being the mainstream. This blond beauty can be dressed in her turquoise tank dress, or turquoise boot-cut pants and matching halter-top. Both outfits can be accented with elbow-length sleeves that have fuzzy tufts of turquoise fur at the shoulders. Place Pop Sensation Barbie on the stage along with her plastic silver boom box, press the play button, and watch her dance and sing. Her dancing consists of her arms moving up and down like she is marching in place, and her feet rocking back and forth to give the illusion that she is swaying her hips. The singing consists of her repeating one verse. She will continue to repeat this verse until you press the play button, switching her over to a single verse from the second song that she knows until you hit the stop button. There are two volume settings, but even that doesn't help much as the song selection is so limited. A working headset for young kids is also included. Plug it into the side of the stage, place it on your head with the mic turned toward your mouth, and your voice can be projected alongside Barbie's voice.
A doll playset that transforms your doll into a pop singer taps into a child's love for music and performance, offering a stage for boundless imagination and creativity. From the rehearsal sessions to the big concert, children can direct every detail, choosing the costumes, setting up the stage, and deciding on the setlist. This type of playset often comes with various props like microphones, speakers, and even mini-instruments, giving kids the tools they need to create their dream performance. Role-playing as a pop singer or a concert manager allows kids to explore different aspects of a music career, from the glamor and excitement of the stage to the behind-the-scenes logistics. It helps foster a deep appreciation for music and performance arts, while also encouraging planning, organization, and storytelling skills. Plus, it provides a wonderful opportunity for social interaction, as children can invite their friends and family for a special 'concert,' strengthening communication skills and building confidence.
Sources and editorial notes
Mattel’s 55630 product record and both illustrated pages of the 55630-0920 instructions were reviewed. The stage supplies sound and movement; the small boombox operates stage controls. The original coverage’s comments about the songs remain historical impressions. The concert activity is original Toysit storytelling; no physical testing was performed.
- Mattel Pop Sensation 55630 record — Manufacturer identification and description of the singing-and-dancing play.
- Pop Sensation instructions (PDF) — Both pages visually reviewed: stage, boombox controls, songs, headset, connections and batteries.
- Original Toysit coverage — Original product image, description and listening impressions preserved.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.