For any child of the 1980s like me, Strawberry Shortcake dolls are remembered as an iconic part of our childhood memories. I was more into action figures from the Star Wars, G.I. Joe, and He-Man toy lines, but nearly all of the girls I knew from our suburban Midwestern neighborhood had a plethora of these delicious-smelling dolls.
You’d walk into their bedrooms and toy rooms and be met with the unmistakable fragrance of strawberries, blueberries, limes, and other fruity smells. You’d go to birthday parties and witness the aroma of Strawberry Shortcake dolls fill the room when presents were open.
It may not have not been my jam, toy-wise, but it’s an immediate nostalgic trigger, smelling those distinct smells.
But for collectors who are rediscovering their old toys today — and buying back our childhood nostalgia one piece at a time — one of the most common questions is: Do Strawberry Shortcake dolls from the 1980s still have their smells? The answer is, remarkably, yes!
In the last few years, toy collecting as a whole has increased significantly — primarily through the secondary market of vintage toy collecting. And one of the biggest growing fanbases is Strawberry Shortcake collectors.
This fanbase consists of adults who grew up in the various iterations of the toy line, and younger generations looking to follow suit.
The driving force of the nostalgia is the unique and delicious smell the dolls had. But how can they possibly retain that original scent after more than forty years of being on shelves, in boxes, and even loose in bins or collector display cases?
Before we dive into the science behind their long-lasting scents, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane and explore the history of these beloved dolls.
A Brief History of Strawberry Shortcake Dolls
The story of Strawberry Shortcake began in 1979 (technically in 1973 with the first iteration), when American Greetings introduced her as a character on a greeting card. Barbi Sargent was the original creator of the card. She later developed additional characters for the American Greetings line of cards.
With her bright red hair, freckles, and signature strawberry hat, Strawberry Shortcake quickly gained popularity, prompting the creation of a full line of dolls, toys, and even a television show. Kenner Products, already famous for their Star Wars action figures, jumped on the opportunity to bring Strawberry Shortcake to life in the form of scented dolls that hit the market in 1979-1980.
Each doll in the line had a sweet, fruity scent to match her theme, making them stand out from other toys of the era.
Strawberry Shortcake, of course, smelled like fresh strawberries, while her friends like Blueberry Muffin and Lemon Meringue had their own distinctive scents. These dolls were wildly successful, turning Strawberry Shortcake into a cultural phenomenon of the 1980s, spawning everything from lunchboxes to animated specials.
What’s interesting is that each generation of Strawberry Shortcake fans have had different iterations of the character after rights to the toy line changed.
But the one thing that has stayed constant with the character is, you guessed it, that lingering sweet smell.
Yes, the Strawberry Smell Still Lingers!
Many vintage Strawberry Shortcake dolls, even those that have been sitting on shelves or packed away for decades, still carry traces of their original fragrance. While the intensity of the scent may have faded over time, it’s not uncommon for collectors to report catching a whiff of strawberry or blueberry when unpacking their childhood toys.
But how is it possible that the older vintage dolls have still retained their smells after all these years? To understand the magic behind these enduring scents, we need to take a closer look at how Kenner Products designed the dolls and the science behind scent retention.
How the Original Scents Were Created
The secret to the sweet, long-lasting smells of Strawberry Shortcake dolls lies in the innovative methods used by Kenner during the manufacturing process. Many assume that the hair and clothes were simply sprayed with a scent, or there were added scented oils rubbed onto the plastic of the dolls. Had that been the case, the scents would have easily evaporated over time.
Kenner’s brilliant manufacturing process called for the scents to be infused directly into the plastic material used to create the dolls' heads and bodies. This method, known as scent embedding, involved mixing fragrance oils with the plastic during production, ensuring that the scent became a part of the material itself.
This technique was groundbreaking at the time. By embedding the fragrance within the plastic, the scent was not just a surface feature — it was distributed throughout the material. This meant that it could last much longer than if it were just applied to the exterior of the doll. The result was a toy that smelled just as sweet after hours of play as it did when it first came out of the box.
Why the Sweet Smells Last So Long
The longevity of the scents in Strawberry Shortcake dolls can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the quality of the fragrance oils used and the method of embedding the scent into the plastic. Here’s why those fruity aromas are still lingering, decades after the dolls were first manufactured:
1. Scent-Embedded Plastics
Because the scent was integrated throughout the material, it didn’t just disappear after a few years of exposure to air. Instead, it remained locked within the plastic, slowly releasing over time as the material was handled or exposed to heat.
2. High-Quality Fragrance Oils
Kenner used high-quality fragrance oils when creating the scents for Strawberry Shortcake dolls. These oils were chosen for their ability to retain their scent over long periods. Additionally, they were formulated to be non-toxic and safe for children, which was a critical consideration given that many kids played with their Strawberry Shortcake dolls extensively. The careful selection of these oils ensured that they wouldn’t degrade quickly, allowing the scents to last for decades.
Plenty of people have tried to replicate the fragrances, but no official mixture or “recipe” has ever been made public by Kenner or the various creators of the doll.
3. Environmental Factors
For you collector’s out there, the environment in which the dolls were stored plays a huge role in how long their scent lasts.
Dolls that were kept in cool, dry conditions — especially in original packaging — are more likely to retain their original smells than those exposed to heat, humidity, or excessive handling.
However, even dolls that were played with regularly have been known to retain some of their scent, a testament to the durability of the fragrance-embedding technique. So if you’re collecting Strawberry Shortcakes, don’t be scared away by loose dolls.
Nostalgia and the Power of Scent
The fact that Strawberry Shortcake dolls still retain their smells isn’t just a fun quirk — it’s also a powerful reminder of how scent plays a role in memory and emotion. The smell of Strawberry Shortcake dolls can instantly transport people back to their childhoods, sparking vivid memories of playtime and simpler days. This connection between scent and memory is well-documented in scientific studies, with research showing that smells can trigger more emotional and vivid memories than other senses.
For collectors, the lingering scent of a vintage Strawberry Shortcake doll adds an extra layer of nostalgia to the experience of owning these toys.
It’s not just about having a rare or valuable item. It’s about reconnecting with a piece of childhood in a deeply sensory way. The smell of a Strawberry Shortcake doll can evoke memories of birthday parties, afternoons spent playing with friends, or even the excitement of opening a brand-new toy.
Read More: The Nostalgia of Toy Collecting
The Toys of Our Lives Has a Huge Collection of Strawberry Shortcake Dolls and Toys!
So, yes, Strawberry Shortcake dolls from the 1980s still have their smells! Thanks to the innovative manufacturing techniques used by Kenner, these dolls were designed to be much more than just toys — they were sensory experiences that have stood the test of time.
If you’re lucky enough to have one of these vintage dolls in your toy collection, take a moment to give it a sniff and enjoy a sweet trip down memory lane!
If you’re looking to rediscover your childhood but remember that most of your Strawberry Shortcakes were lost over the years, don’t fret — The Toys of Our Lives has plenty of vintage pieces to choose from.
Whether you want to complete your whole collection, add another to what you have, introduce your child to the sweet-smelling doll, or just want a single packaged or loose doll for your office or desk, you can visit our store in Verona, WI or explore our online store and have them delivered to you!