From the Toysit archive
Sugarplum Princess Barbie
Explore Sugarplum Princess Barbie’s pink ballet costume and player-moved dance stand, then make a three-scene program for a miniature performance.
The play at a glance
A pink costume, a poised dancer and a turn of the stand
A full pink skirt spreads around Sugarplum Princess Barbie as she raises one arm. A crown, ribboned ballet shoes and a little Nutcracker figure complete the scene in Toysit’s original photograph. Beneath her feet is a broad pink dance base: a way for the player to turn a still pose into a small ballet performance.
Move the base to make a turn
Mattel’s guide shows a support clipping over the doll’s clothing and her toes fitting into the base for a pointed-foot pose. Moving the base back and forth on a smooth, flat surface makes the doll twirl. The player supplies the motion and chooses when the dance begins, pauses and finishes.
The guide also illustrates different support positions for different poses. Follow its drawings when fitting the doll to the stand. Imagine a quiet entrance followed by a turn in the middle of the stage, then a raised-arm greeting to the audience. A scrap of paper can mark the place where the dancer takes her final bow.
Build a little theatre around the costume
The crown and pink skirt give the character a ready-made role in a fairy-tale performance. A player might draw a palace arch for the backdrop, name a winter festival and invent a guest who has traveled to see the dance. The costume supplies the visual starting point; the player gives the performance its occasion.
Sugarplum Princess belongs to Mattel’s Barbie in the Nutcracker range. For a traditional ballet connection, the Royal Ballet’s story introduces Clara to the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Kingdom of Sweets. These names offer two routes into a dance story, with room for a player’s own setting and characters.
Make a three-scene ballet program
- Fold a sheet of paper into a small program and give the performance a title.
- Name three scenes: an arrival, a celebration and a farewell.
- Draw a costume or backdrop beside each scene.
- Choose a doll or draw a paper dancer, then invent one pose for each part.
- Announce the scenes in order and finish with a bow for the audience.
This original Toysit activity works with any small figure. A second player can introduce the dancer or draw the next performance’s scenery.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original toy description and broader play discussion are preserved below as historical coverage.
The Sugar Plum Princess Doll with Book
This beautiful giftset comes with a 32-page hardcover book that illustrates the story of Barbie doll's Nutcracker World and gives girls an imaginative new way to play with Barbie. Barbie doll looks beautiful and comes with everything girls need to play out the story, a pretty princess gown, ballerina outfit and dance stand.
The Sugarplum Princess, a beloved character from the timeless ballet "The Nutcracker," is the epitome of grace and sweetness. She graces the stage with her enchanting presence during the Land of Sweets scene. Adorned in a resplendent tutu, adorned with shimmering crystals and pastel hues, she exudes elegance and poise. As the ruler of the Land of Sweets, she welcomes Clara and the Nutcracker Prince to her magical realm, where they are treated to a dazzling display of confectionery characters and dances. The Sugarplum Princess's dance, often accompanied by the iconic "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" music, is a highlight of the ballet, showcasing her delicate movements and ethereal charm, leaving audiences young and old entranced by her enchanting performance.
Sources and editorial notes
Mattel’s 50792 product record and all four illustrated pages of its instructions were reviewed. They establish the standard Sugarplum Princess doll and player-moved dance base. The original Toysit account describes a giftset with a 32-page book; that bundle remains an attributed historical description. The older essay blends film and ballet terminology: Sugarplum Princess is the Barbie product name, while the Royal Ballet’s account names the ballet character Sugar Plum Fairy. The program activity is original; no physical testing was performed.
- Mattel Sugarplum Princess 50792 record — Identifies the Barbie in the Nutcracker doll.
- Sugarplum Princess instructions (PDF) — All four pages reviewed, including supports, dance-base movement and costume details.
- Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker — Ballet story context and the Sugar Plum Fairy character.
- Original Toysit coverage — Original photograph, book-giftset description and historical essay preserved.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.