Cabbage Patch Kids (1983-Present)

Cabbage Patch Kids

Cabbage Patch Kids dolls were produced by Coleco from 1982 until 1988. They were based on the Little People dolls created by Xavier Roberts as collectibles. The brand was renamed ‘Cabbage Kids’ by Roger Schlaifer in 1982 when he acquired the rights to license the doll.  When Schlaifer acquired the rights to the Little People line in 1982, he contacted many toy companies but most declined stating that the doll was to ugly to sell to the mass-market. Coleco, who was known for their electronic toy lines, ultimately accepted. The peak for Cabbage Patch Dolls was at Christmas during the years of 1983-1986. Cabbage Patch Dolls eventually saved Coleco from bankruptcy for a few years after the failure of the Coleco Adam personal computer. Cabbage Patch Kids quickly became one of the highest selling toys of the 1980’s, and set the toy industry sales record for three years. It is also one of the longest running doll franchises in the United States. Many parents got into fist fights or more violent fights trying to acquire one for their kids in the 1980’s.