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The Sunshine Family
by Mattel
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Read memories from others. |
This memory was added on: December 23,2005
OMG! This is amazing! Like so many of you, I thought I was the only one who remembered these fabulous dolls! My neighbour had one too and I must confess, I stole her baby when mine went missing (I still believe to this day that she'd stolen it from me in the first place)!
I was jealous of her anyway, cos she got the works - the surrey, the treehouse, the truck. I had to make do with the dolls, the colouring-iin books and would stare longingly at pictures of the accessories my parents couldn't afford.
Given that I spent so much of my childhood pretending to have/be this little family, it's almost odd that I have chosen not to have children of my own! BUT I do still have my Sunshine Family plus clothes, and even the nursery set (teeny tiny bottles and bars of soap even!!). SOMETIMES I let friend's kids pull them out of the old toy chest.
Aaaaah, thank you Girls for bringing back the sweetest memories and making feel less insane!
Sara
1968
sara.gordon@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: December 22,2005
I loved my Sunshine family and I have recently been trying to gather all of my dolls, all of their things.. the house, etc, so my daughter can play with them. They are just a warm friendly loving family (far cry from Bratz dolls!). I recently came across their craft store, but I have forgotten how to put it all together.. unfortunately I cannot find the instructions. Does anyone still have those instructions? So far I found the house, Mike Steffie, Sweets, Grandma and Grandpa.. the house and the surrey cycle. I cannot wait to put it all together for my daughter to play with (ok, have to admit I want to play with it as well)
Beth
1969
tallyhoney@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: December 21,2005
I got my Sunshine family in Germany - always thought they were much cuter than any other barbie dolls and so much more wholesome ! I had the house and the horse cart and the grand-parents. Later I also got 2 more couples in some sort of historic costumes - one sort of French aristocracy outfit (she had long blond curls). I think the other one was some 18th century american farmer outfit. Maybe I should go dig them out in my mum's cellar. You always remember all these kids with their boring barbies, so it's fabulous to see so many people who enjoyed the Sunshine so much!
sophie
1967
swintry@aol.com
This memory was added on: December 19,2005
Another great memory...the Sunshine Family went on many adventures with my sister and me. Grandma and Grandpa were along for the ride as well - often into the deadly whirpool that was the washing machine, or they'd get tangled in the killer seaweed of the lake and have to be rescued by the adventure people. They also survived getting lost in the freezing tundra where they built caves in the snow banks (we lived in Buffalo and had to do something to keep busy during the winter!). They were rescued by Dorothy, Glenda and the Wicked Witch of the West (she was the sister who accidently fell into a bucket of permanet green paint and was ostracized by the community until she proved her heroism by saving the Sunshine family!) who brought the search party in on the fearless Bryer horses...
I could go on and on! Thanks for the memories!
Erica & Leah
1970 & 1968
eleixner1@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: December 18,2005
the sunshine family was my childhood! i never played with any toy as much as these dolls. my mom said she couldn't toss out an egg carton or milk container without me saying "i need that to make something for my sunshine family". does any one remember how to make a tiffany style hanging lamp out of an egg carton and a q-tip and a paper clip? what a wholesome imangination inspiring toy! i had the family, the nursury with a 2nd baby, the house, the truck/craft shop,the grandparents,the pets with their own house and the surry! i made crafts for my family to sell out of there truck. they never made any money though. here is the funniest part, i grew up, tried a business of making crafts and silk flower arrangements to sell at street fairs and craft shows (out of my truck)and never made any money (lol). i have long blond hair, wear my birkenstock sandles year round (i live in the north east)married a baby face guy with long brown hair and we had a daughter - and named her sunshine! i swear this is true! my husband says we are the sunshine family (lol) i also recycle everything. now, did these dolls have an influance on me or what? also, that being said i would never allow my daughter to play with bratz dolls!
chris schneider
1968
schneiderhippiechick@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: December 17,2005
I loved my Sunshine Family! I first got Steve, Stefanie, and Sweets with their house, and then I got the added family member with the baby boy (can't remember his name at the moment) and I had the truck and shop. I think my mom got me everything that came out as the SunShine family! And it's all still in my parents basement. I loved playing with them....I wish my daughter (now 12) would have had something as wonderful as the Sunshine Family to play with when she was little......I have such wonderful memories of them. I even had their coloring book! Some of today's toys are "okay" but nothing will compare to what we had growing up.....things you had to use your imagination with and that you enjoyed....and the Sunshine Family is one of my favorite memories and was a wonderful present my parents got for me for Christmas......time sure has flown by since then.....wow.
Jennifer
1969
This memory was added on: December 15,2005
LOL!! I'm so exited! I first found the inchworm now this!! I LOVED my sunshine family with their camper! I played with that thing all of the time. Wow, great memories :) Man, I feel old! :)
Michelle
1973
butterfly73v@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: December 15,2005
Yes, I had the family too, but I'm guessing a somewhat later version. My Steve had the creamish knot short with the brown collar and curly brown hair. My Stephanie had a yellow flower print dress with cap sleeves. I had Sweets (about a 4 year old girl with pony tails) and also a baby brother who had brushable straight brown hair. I seem to recall that my sister (14 months older, and with her own complete set) and I also had an RV or camper set or something like that. I still have Sweets (sans original anything)and a badly bobbed haired Stephanie.
I have 2 sons, no daughters, so my boys probably wouldn't care a fig for any of my Mattel fashion dolls. I do have a niece, and at her 6th birthday party on Sunday I literally cringed every time she opened a Bratz present (4 in all, including a "baby" Bratz wearing a diaper and halter top!). Why are we in such a hurry to turn our little girls into trollop wannabees?
Check out the "Wee Three Barbies" sets that are out now. They are somewhat similar to the body style of the Sunshine Family, and are toys that I wouldn't be embarrassed to see my niece or sons playing with.
Traci
1971
This memory was added on: December 13,2005
Wow, how wonderful that so many of us had fond memories of these wholesome and fun dolls! My Mom was just up in her attic looking for mine to give my 2 year old. Well, the truth is that Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother, Baby, Grammy and PopPop are at my home. They are all naked in a "Candies" shoe box. Thanks to all for sharing their memories.
Karen
1968
This memory was added on: December 11,2005
Wasn't there a camper? I could have sworn there was a camper/ motorhome. That's what I remember playing with when I had the Sunshine Family. Ah yes,... the Sunshine family. How I loved those dolls!
Kim
1971
Lilstar29@msn.com
This memory was added on: December 7,2005
I can't believe I found pictures of these dolls. For some reason this evening I was thinking about dolls I had when I was little. I was born in 1970 and had many Barbie dolls, the Farrah Fawcett doll, but the Sunshine Family, I do remember I loved the most. I would love to get a hold of them for my doll cabinet. What memories!!!!
Laura L. Boice
11-08-70
Lukeboice
This memory was added on: December 6,2005
I loved the Sunshine Family.
Berry
1969
blackberry2u@geemail.com
This memory was added on: November 30,2005
Oh, wow, the Sunshine Family. My sister had them, and the house, store, van, and pets, I believe.(The pet house was WAY cool). She made all of the little crafty things in the booklets. I received the black version (the Happy Family), and they had to live in a cardboard apartment over the store. (Hmmmm...a bit of racism, perhaps?)Our neighbor also had the dolls, and her father, who was a carpenter, built both girls a cute little wooden crib for their babies. The neighbor called her baby doll Sweets, as directed by the package, but my sister insisted that the baby was a boy, and named him Eric.
Lin
1969
mutthouselb@aol.com
This memory was added on: November 28,2005
I LOVED the Sunshine family too! Hardly anyone knows about them--what a delight to find all of you who do! The dog ate Mrs. Sunshine's hand, and half of the baby, so I got a "pioneer" doll made by the same company as a replacement. After that, old Mrs. Sunshine was the badly deformed sister who rode in the back of the camper, and the baby was always wrapped up! Had almost everything--loved how the chicken laid eggs and the cow gave milk! Also discovered the truth about Santa when I discovered the Sunshine Family Barn hiding in my parent's unfinished shower prior to Christmas. Now my kids play with the dolls at my parents--grandpa's leg keeps falling off, so he alayws has to sit! Loved the 2 story pet house! What a fond memory--wish they had similar things today for my own daughter!
Holly
1969
sauder4@msn.com
This memory was added on: November 28,2005
These were really cool dolls. I wish that some doll like this were made today. I distinctly remember getting a Kleenex Box to make furniture.
Heidi Clymer
1968
dippy.dawg@charter.net
This memory was added on: November 22,2005
I LOVED my Sunshine Family Tree house!! Also that was the year I learned there was no Santa. My parents sent me to their room to look for something, for some reason I looked under their bed, and to my surprise there was the Sunshine family tree house, I remember jumping up and down so happy but kept my mouth shut about seeing it. I waited for my b-day on Dec 9th - NOPE, then on Christmas day, as they handed me the big box, and I saw " From Santa " I busted them and Said.. this isnt from Santa!! I saw this under your bed!! .. of course my brother was just a baby so I still had to keep the secret, but I was very proud of myself!!
Jamie
1967
This memory was added on: November 15,2005
I am sooo glad there are other people out there who had the Sunshines! I always thought I was the only one!! All my friends had Barbies and my mother just thought that doll was horrible so I grew up playing with those great hippie dolls!! I also had the craft store and absolutely loved it, but for some reason, never made anything to go into it...I remember I really wanted to learn to make pottery after getting that pottery wheel!! Also, I remember you could squeeze the dolls heads and make their eyes pop out...of course, we also thought that if you melted Barbie's hair, you could make gold..(it was the 70's...too many packets of Pop Rocks!!)I wish I still had my Steffie, Steve and Baby Sweets!!!I think I know what I'll ask for this Christmas...hello Ebay!!
Wow...what a great time to grow up!! Thanks for the memories!!!
Kim Jones
1969
sistermoon21@cox.net
This memory was added on: November 10,2005
I had the Sunshine Family. I have long put childhood memories to rest and finding them again made me cry. I role-played being a mommy all during my childhood.
I remember wanting many of the grown up dolls. I received Dusty. She was much bigger and stronger than Barbie. I remember big feet with sturdy shoes, and tough camping-type clothes.
I also remember a doll styled for Crystal Gayle. Her hair was dark and you could make it grow to her ankles by pulling on it.
Thanks for letting me remember.
shawna
1967
shawna
This memory was added on: November 5,2005
I LOVED my Sunshine Family. My sister and I would play for hours with our Sunshine family. We had their house, camp-site, SUV and their dog and cat. I used to carry the little baby "Sweets" with me where ever I went. I recently found my Sunshine Family in my mother's attic, they were not packed properly and with the Texas heat bearing down on them for 30 years, they kind of melted. Although the dog and cat survived so my children now play with them. We used take our Sunshine family everywhere even out to the barn and have them ride the cows, the horses and pretend to bail hay and milk the cows. We had them swinging from tree to tree trying not to be eatten by the large drooling animal (the dog). Similar to the story "Summer Grove". I have been trying to find a new set of Sunshine Family for my daughter. We need to ban together and have Mattel bring back the Sunshine Family. Ahhh...wonderful childhood memories.
Holli
1967
This memory was added on: November 5,2005
I still have the Sunshine family. One Christmas (i think it was 1977) my sister and I (this was her idea) got up in the middle of the night to peek at our unwrapped Christmas presents which were under a blanket next to my parents bed. While under there she found the tandem bike that i had asked for and she said "oh my God you got the sunshine family bike!!" i wasnt the only one who heard that, my dad woke up and busted us.....
Leslie
1969
libraleslie@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: November 2,2005
I loved my Sunshine Family dolls! My older brother must have remembered them fondly (or weirdly) as well because in his early 20s he had a band that they named The Sunshine Family. It always made me smile.
Jennifer
1971
jenni@derbyrec.com
This memory was added on: October 17,2005
Oh wow! I loved this doll set sooo much. I was somebody that was considered too old to play with dolls at that time but hey, I took over my sister's Sunshine family and aquired the Happy family(afro american family set). I still have all of them! They were so cute. As I recall, it was hard to find a complete set because people would keep stealing the babies through the packaging!
carol
1963
carolbytheshore@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: October 4,2005
It just warms my heart to see these dolls again. It brings back so many sweet memories. My four year old was asking me about the toys I had when I was little and "The Sunshine Family" just popped into my head. My older sister used to tease me about my "dorky" dolls- she loved Barbies and their cool clothes. These dolls were kind of old- fashioned even back then. I guess thats why I loved them- they were different. I had the General Store with the pottery wheel and a spinning wheel, I think. There was also a camper I used to play with under this big oak tree in our backyard. I remember when I lost one of the Dad's brown boots- I was devastated. Ahh- to be a kid again!
Cece
1970
cjohnso1@broward.edu
This memory was added on: September 20,2005
Oh yes!! Even the bix brings back memories. I had this set and played with it for the longest time.. Great memories :)
Tara
1972
tara207@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: September 3,2005
When I was about eight or nine I wanted these dolls so bad. The family of five came with an automobile and trailer. My mother sold a bunch of her books to get the four dollers it cost to buy the set (a very large sum to our family). My dad threw it away the next morning because he didn't allow us to have toys. I never forgot the Sunshine Family though.
Pooh
1971
This memory was added on: August 25,2005
I NEVER COULD MAKE THAT BED OUT OF A KLEENEX BOX!!
TAMI
1965
RECNEPS1197@THEKURT.NET
This memory was added on: August 24,2005
oh my gawd! I was beginning to think these dolls were in my imagination. My parents were hippies and this was the alternative to Barbie. Happy, hippie dolls who went camping. Party on Sunshine family!
1969
This memory was added on: August 23,2005
The Sunshine and Happy families were my favorite dolls from my childhood. Hours and hours i would play with them. I wouldn't go to school without "Baby Sweets" or "Hun" in my little coin pocket of my jeans. Better yet I wouldn't go anywhere without them. I remember losing Sweets one day after traveling on city transportation, my father went all the way back to the bus depot looking for Sweets. Thats how much she meant to me. It was Xmas season and i Was miserable. A few days later my dad said we are getting a very special visitor and guess who it was at my door? Sweets. That was my best xmas ever.
melody mcconey
1967
heavenleech!@aol.com
This memory was added on: August 17,2005
I LOVED my Sunshine family baby doll. I didn't have any of the rest of the dolls (though my little sister did) but I used my Sunshine family baby doll as my Barbie's baby. She had red hair and blue eyes. I also had a nursery set (all in green) that she came with. There was a green bathtub, high chair, and crib, green baby bottles, and some other things I can't remember. I also had some other outfits for her (besides the yellow nightgown she came with), and a few other items that I got for the Sunshine family, like plates, a pitcher, cups, and a barbeque grill. I still have some of this stuff but they are missing parts here and there. As a child, I found some Sunshine family stuff at Pic 'N Save (such a deal) and I was really excited to have found it. I still would be excited to find Sunshine Family dolls and accessories for cheap. I guess it's time to hunt on eBay and relive my childhood!
Julie S.
1971
mizzzjulie@adelphia.net
This memory was added on: August 9,2005
I had a special way I folded over Skipper outfits and tied them with pieces of yarn for Stephie to wear. Steve could just wear any Skipper's more androgenous clothing- like jeans or plain shirts. We had a woman who sold handmade Barbie, Ken & Skipper clothes at the Farmer's Market in Syracuse at the time. My mom always gave me a hard time because I was wanting to buy so many Skipper outfits! And shoes were always a problem too- I had the Southern Belle who had some yellow flats- NOT sandals- so I wanted almost everything in yellow to coordinate outfits. (It's really making a lot of sense now as to why I am making my daughter so many outfits for her Sunshines! This site is like therapy!)
Jean Salomone
1966
divajean13207@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: August 5,2005
I came to this site to prove to my daughter and her sister that these dolls actually did exist and I really did play with hippie dolls! Does anyone remember making the chest of drawers out of match boxes?? How about the seats out of thread spools? After getting those little instruction booklets, every bit of trash in the house had another use! It was a cool way to teach recycling. I just had to see the afro one more time...
Val
1967
karalou216@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: July 25,2005
I used to have the sunshine family dolls and baby's room when I was about 4, my mom gave it away or something. I wanted to get these dolls for my daughter, so I bought the family and the craft store on ebay. However, the craft store did not come with instructions or a picture or anything, and I have no idea how to put it together. Does anyone have this toy with instructions who could let me know how to assemble it? I would appreciate it.
Crystal
1973
c024@ied.com
This memory was added on: July 16,2005
I had the SUnshine family and Grandparents. I also had the babies room and the Craft store. I still have some of the pieces in my parents garage. I played for hours with them.....ahhhhh memories....lol.
Kathy
1967
Ktrinkisme@aol.com
This memory was added on: July 15,2005
I had the Sunshine Family Coloring Book!I just happened to see your site and had a wave of nostalgia!!!Ahhh..the good old days....
Yvonne
1969
waffle57@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: July 3,2005
I am 44 and I remember the Sunshine and Happy families. My sister always had them married inter-racial. She also had both sets of Grandparents. The idea books were my department, every single item in every idea book she had, I had to make for her. Wait let me restate, I wanted to make for her, she would go nuts over me taking the time to create the items for her. I remember the toilet paper roll high chair and the Strawberry Basket playpen. Does anyone remember more or have the idea books, if so please write to me, I am trying to surprise my sister. Dollmanwpb@aol.com
Joe Alaimo
1961
dollmanwpb@aol.com
This memory was added on: June 23,2005
I had a tree house that went with the Sunshine Family. They could all climb up the ladder and live inside thier happy little house atop a great big tree. I used to velcro their little hands together and hang them from the tree like "barrel of monkeys". I loved them crazy hippy dolls!
Jane
1969
Janeansible@mac.com
This memory was added on: June 20,2005
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the sunshine family dolls were the absolute favorite dolls of mine. I loved them so much and have not been able to find them since my Mother sold them to soon for ME....in my opinion. (Are you sensing some confusion???? me to.) IN A YARD SALE ????????? WHAT????? .......... I missed them so much and have not been able to find them all this time. Then thanks to google, I just punched in their name and here they are. I was so Glad to see them !!!!!!!!! I have not yet seen the grandparents. I must have had the first set put out because I do not reconize most of the sets. The father, mother, and baby. Is what I remember. Before they put make-up on the mom. Well,I am 35 years old here in 2005.....and I played with them in 1975 or 76. So, 30 years ago. WOW!!!!! Seeing their adoreable faces has brought me back to 1975. I am not kidding. My favoiite memories is with the baby in the yellow pajama's. That baby I am sorry to say was Barbie and Ken's baby to. SORRY!!!!!! ONLY SOMETIMES. It was before Barbie had one herself and she had the cool dresses. But now that I look back Mrs. Sunshine was 1 million times cooler then barbie. Thank-you Sunshine family for all of the great memories. I love you !!!!!! I wish I still had you. You know sorry to pause and say but it is really hard these days to find anything in life for me to feel this kind of child like happiness. Honestly The Sunshine Family touches my heart with the warmth of my childhood memories they went everywhere with me. Thanks sincerely, Shannon
Shannon Lang
1970
nomoreprincess@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: June 17,2005
Incredible how many people have written about the Sunshines. Since I last wrote in, I have found all my old dolls and my daughter plays with them. I have sewn tons of clothes for the family and helped her come up with more creative furniture, etc than the booklets even had!
If anyone needs extra outfits for their "families," let me know--- I would be happy to be of assistance. (I have even made Mr & Mrs Claus outfits for the Sunshine grandparents- Grampy likes to dress up as Santa for Sweets and the baby brother!)
Jean Salomne
1966
divajean13207@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: June 14,2005
The funniest thing I remember about my Sunshine family is that, even as a little girl, I felt that the father was WAY too hot for the mother!!! sigh... father sunshine...
Carrie
1970
lougrimm@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: June 1,2005
These were the cutest dolls, ever! I had the original Sunshine family, the house, the baby's room and the Barbie Babysits set: which had a Sweets doll to be used for barbie. It was really cute, the layette and accessories were all pink!
I LOOOOVED the craft books! My most memorable craft: Using a green strawberry basket, weave a ribbon (I used red) through the top row, tie a bow -Voila!- A pretty playpen for baby Sweets! Also, cut the basket in half, weave, -Voila!- A crib!
Onto Ebay now to search for these beloved dolls of days gone by ;~)
Michele
1966
This memory was added on: May 30,2005
I was sitting on the sofa and suddenly remembered the Sunshine Family. I have the Black and White families with the grandparents ! I saved them for my daughter (only wants Barbie's). I even have the green car that went with the farm. I can't believe the so many others have the dolls and the memories ! Philly to SD !
1965
This memory was added on: May 23,2005
The Sunshine Family was great. My best friend and I spend hours playing with the sunshine baby. We made clothes, and lego houses for them. I still have the family and the Grandparents. I had the craft store with all the accessories. I agree, they're eyes always freaked me out. Andy the kept popping out too.
tami
1971
tamisweetie@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: May 16,2005
Sis and I were actually SCARED of the Sunshine Family. Just look at 'em....SCARY!!!!
Kelley
1966
georgiakelley@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: May 16,2005
I am 38 y/o and yes I had the Sunshine Family. It is still all in a box at my mother's house. I even had the surrey.
Suzan
1966
suzan666@comcast.net
This memory was added on: May 11,2005
I was so amazed to find this site. Had no idea that the Sunshine family had so many fans! I'm 37 years old and I spent hours and hours playing with my sunshine family as a child. I got the grandparents first and then later got the red headed baby with highchair, tub, crib, and bottles. Then I got the mom, dad and blond haired baby. Also had the greenhouse which I never played with much. I have let my nieces play with them but now I think (I hope) they are packed away some where. I'm going to have to have a search! I dearly loved my sunshine family dolls!
saffron
1967
twotribbles@aol.com
This memory was added on: April 26,2005
It's also France who speak to sunhine family lover's. Indeed, i 'd never relate the tragic end of my family. The mother lost her shoes and her legs too. I suposed the baby went in the dust bin. The father must be in my parents house but when i asked them ,they didn't find him again. But today is a big day because one of my friend offer a new family and complete : exactly the same in an original box. I'm so happy. For me it's a new start. Thanks to Solange and retro toys.
Véronique
1967
veroniqueriboulot@free.fr
This memory was added on: April 26,2005
So pleased I could make my friend happy , being lucky enough to get a 1973 Sunshine Family as new in box !It's so great a pleasure also to see she said it will be a new "start" for her interest and collecting.Hope she will develop great an happy way with !I can assume that I guess it's only the beginning of it...
Solange
????
ferrand-straw@wanadoo.fr
This memory was added on: April 16,2005
Oh, yes, I remember these. The little flyer that came in each package! "They love to be outdoors in the fresh air, because all growing things are so beautiful ... " Barbie dolls for kids whose parents read The Mother Earth News. The thing that's stuck with me was that their pickup truck was such an old model with the air vent above the hood. No company today would give dolls a truck like that one! It really looked like a vehicle you might see parked in front of a country commune.
1962
This memory was added on: April 15,2005
I'm 34 y/o and still have my Sunshine Family. All still in their original clothes except for mom for some reason. I got them for a Christmas present sometime in the early 70's. I was fortunate to even get gram and gramps. I had thier house but my sisters hamster spent more time in it then the dolls. I also remember having a green house of some sort that went with it. Now gram, gramps, mom, dad, and the little yellow baby live in a box with my daughters barbies.
1970
lytlisa@netzero.com
This memory was added on: April 12,2005
I loved the Sunshine family! I still have the Mom and Dad and Baby, the crib, highchair and kitchen table. They still have their clothes except the baby and they have less hair from too many hair cuts.. I don't think ANY of my dolls escaped a bad hair cut. My daughter got to play with all my old Barbies and the sunshine family too so they've had MANY years of being played with and loved. I have them all put away for my grandchildren one day... How about the Dynamite doll? I loved her and STILL have her in the basement. Of course she's got a buzz cut but she's still in tact and with her purple jumpsuit!
Gina
1964
GinaUSA@aol.com
This memory was added on: March 20,2005
I had the Sunshine Family but mostly I played with the baby as Barbie's baby! He was the perfect size for Barbie!
Kira
1966
forenzikz@peoplepc.com
This memory was added on: March 7,2005
it's also the France to speak to the sunshine family lovers! I think perhaps we can create a club about the sunshine family lovers. What do you think about thid idea? Any way thanks a lot to Retro Toy for this ideas of memory.
Véronique
1967
veroniqueriboulot@free.fr
This memory was added on: March 4,2005
I am french so my english will be approximate; i had a sunshine family but i lost all of them. and on day i remember :my dog was a doberman and i remember that it eats the legs of the baby.I lost also the shoes of the mother and the knées of the father was broken. I prefer the sunshine than Barbie they are more and more cute. One day, i hope to buy the french version. Bonjour aux lovers de sunshine family. Véronique
Riboulot
1967
veroniqueriboulot@free.fr
This memory was added on: February 27,2005
I still have the little Sunshine Family baby!! I actually have had him for about 28 years now. The mom and dad kind of got destroyed as the years went by. Now, my little 1 year old daughter loves the baby. Out of all of her dolls, he's called the "little little baby", since he's so tiny. He fits in her little hand and she rocks him back and forth.
Laura
1971
This memory was added on: February 11,2005
My favorite memory of the Sunshine family was their cute little noses. I had the grandparents, too. And I think I had the surrey, only because I read about it on a website and it jarred a memory. The baby was my favorite. Later, I became enamored of Barbies, but my mom thought they would somehow harm my personality so she only let me have the Diana Ross barbie. which I loved, only her hair would get stuck in her eyelashes. come to think of it, almost all of my baby dolls were african american. Go mom!
Amy
1972
This memory was added on: February 9,2005
I am 38 years old and i still remember how much fun I had with these dolls. They had such cute cherub faces and the baby was adorable. i regret getting rid of mine!
T
1966
siefertt@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: February 1,2005
I was too old to play with the Sunshine's and I always associate them with Little House on the Prairie--which I didn't really like(did Laura ever NOT cry on that show? and she was an UGLY cryer!) Anyway I figured out if you squeezed their heads you could pop their eyes out and switch their eye colors. Years later I found the baby with one blue eye and one brown eye stuck in a junk drawer. anybody remember Sweet April? she had those same eyes. I still have my blonde Sweet April--but she has brown eyes instead of blue ones....
Ravyn Giuliani
1962
LadyLvsNyt@yaoo.com
This memory was added on: February 1,2005
Oh! I loved my Sunshine Family dolls! I had the nursery and the SFfarm. It had chickens that you put little eggs into and when you pushed down it laid them! You could also fill the cow with water and "milk" it! I have wonderful memories of playing with them. Although, Steve did have an affair with the Charlie's Angel Farrah doll but Steffi forgave him (it was the swingin' 70's you know)!!
Omega
1969
omegabic@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: January 12,2005
HI, MY SISTER AND I HAD THE SUNSHINE FAMILY AND THE HOUSE. WE WOULD GET UP EARLY WITH ALL OUR BARBIES AND ACCESSORIES AND GO TO OUR SCREENED IN BACK PORCH AND SECTION IT OFF HER SIDE AND MY SIDE. WE WOULD DEVIDE ALL OUR STUFF SO WE EACH HAD FURNITURE AND CLOTHES AND PEOPLE ETC.. WE WOULD HAVE THE WHOLE PORCH FILLED WITH ALL OUR STUFF! WE PLAYED ALLLLL DAY AND SOMETIMES FRIENDS WOULD COME OVER AND WE WOULD HAV TO MAKE ROOM FOR THEIR BARBIES AND SUNSHINE FAMILIES TO "MOVE IN". RECENTLY MY SISTER AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THE SUNSHINE FAMILY AND HOW MUCH WE LOVED THEM AND SHE TOLD ME SHE LOVED THE AFRICAN AMERICAN BABY THAT SHE USED TO PLAY WITH AND I AM STILL WONDERING WHERE HE CAME FROM OUR FAMILY WAS WHITE! I TRIED TO GET HER THE WHOLE BLACK FAMILY ON EBAY AND LOST THE BID, SO I AM STILL ON THE LOOKOUT! THESE TOYS WERE SOOO MUCH FUN TO PLAY WITH AND TALK ABOUT THE MEMORIES!!! I HAD FUN READING THESE STORIES!
TRACY
1968
THARLEYSGIRL@AOL.COM
This memory was added on: January 8,2005
I was telling my kids (aged 12 & 7) about the "Good Old Days" and that made me think of the Sunshine Family. I had the Craft Camper and I loved it so much...playing outside, doing the craft projects, all the while with WLS AM playing Wings in the background. Ahh, suburban Chicago in the 1970's!
I especially liked the Mom, I thought she was so pretty and the baby was just adorable. Brings up a rush of sentimental feelings!!!! How sad it is to grow up!
Erin
1968
etbuzzbox@aol.com
This memory was added on: December 31,2004
I had the house AND the craft store. A stinkin' pottery wheel... How 70's was that? Tree-hugging bunny-lickers.:) Come to think of it, all of it is probably still in my mother's basement. Hello Ebay!
Wendy
1969
This memory was added on: December 27,2004
I had the Sunshine Family, red-headed sweets (the blondie and red-head were my "twins") Craft Store and the yellow truck with the piggyback Craft Shack. A few years back I bought the store MIB from ebay. My six year old Steffi LOL (I had NO idea...well didn't remember...must have been subconscious) just received the craft store from Santa this Christmas. (Santa had a BLAST putting it together!) We've had fun making bolts of cloth and pottery from fimo. We also have an old pattern to make clothes. My mom made this cool buckskin jacket for Steve and diapers and blankets for the babies when I was little.
My two year old just broke my original dog's tail off. I have the pet house, but am without the cat, too, so I guess we will be looking for some critters to go in it for Easter maybe. I also had the surrey cycle -- bike built for two and want to find it and some of the different kits.
I have enjoyed reading all the memories here! Thanks for sharing!
Amy
1969
This memory was added on: December 27,2004
I had the coloring book in my secret stash and my kids got into it. I got it off of ebay a few years back. The original price was 49 cents LOL! I paid more than that. You are right about the eyes looking at you! In most of the pictures they are lounging around by streams or shown in hiking gear.
Amy
1969
This memory was added on: December 17,2004
Does anyone remember The Sunshine Family coloring book? I can't find it anywhere and my sister and I found it quite hilarious (and spooky) that the family members were always looking at you, regardless of what they were doing.
Kelli Campbell
1972
kcampbell@aaakansas.com
This memory was added on: December 13,2004
My sister Camie and I would take off the head of the husband and hold it by one hair so it looked like it was floating. We'd moan like ghosts, "The hhhhheeeaaad....the head!" and giggle our silly mormon asses off.
Lisa
1971
polobrajot@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: November 29,2004
I had them along with the general store... loved them! I bet they're still at my mom's house in the attic!
kellyann
1970
kellyann.kwiatek@wennermedia.com
This memory was added on: November 6,2004
I remember playing in the grass barefooted with my Sunshine Family and, I think, their hippie-looking station wagon. The baby was so sweet with her soft yellow outfit and the family just had such a homespun, nature-lovin', 'right-on' type of easy aura. I think my station wagon even had a peace sign on it. Was this from my parents (who would never let us have Barbie dolls like the rest of the girls) or was this from Mattel? Great memories. Thanks for bringing them back!
Leilani
1967
danefarm@yahoo.com
This memory was added on: November 2,2004
I loved the Sunshine Family, and yes, my sister popped the Dad's eyes out, just to make me mad. I made all the furniture ideas that came in the booklet. My favorite was the strawberry basket bed. The baby is a girl, because there is a set with a baby brother, and the little girl with pigtails is sweets as a big sister.
Beverly
1969
This memory was added on: October 27,2004
The SUNSHINE FAMILY were my absolute favorites!! I have all of them now and I sell alot of them as well. If anyone needs any, let me know. Thanks!
Eva
1970
platelets33@comcast.net
This memory was added on: October 2,2004
Maggie
1966
orchard@wadsnet.com
This memory was added on: October 2,2004
Oh my God, I had no idea...I've been searching for the Sunshine Family Farm for my own s- 10 (autistic) and 12 (well nigh beyond the age of appreciation.) My mom gave me the Family and their Farm for my tenth birthday, and, as always, she pulled a completely unexpected and unique present from who-knows-where: we had no pot to pee in, and no window out of which to throw it. I loooooooved this gift: the cow...the egg-laying chicken...the baby....the mama who resembled my older cousin Shonet to a degree that was spooky. A magical birthday (12/24/76) for sure.
Maggie
1966
orchard@wadsnet.com
This memory was added on: August 16,2004
Well, I am back again. I have to do a searh on my name to find out where all I have visited. I surely do wish I still had that Sunshine Family, for I have a grand-daughter due Oct.l,2004. I wish I had saved all those dolls, ones my 2 daughters played with, and ones I had as a child which I gave all my dolls to my first sis-in-law to give to her little sister. Now they are gone with the wind,makes me want to cry.
Twhiler Anne Dobbins Waid
1949
Rodixe@cs.com
This memory was added on: July 28,2004
I too typed in Sunshine Family one day just too see what would happen. Thirty eight years old and would love to have my dolls back. Still have the little blonde baby as well as the red headed one. We too used to use them for our Barbie Babies. Would be great if they were made again. I would buy up everything offered. Brought up so many memories. Anything that makes an adult feel like a child again is Fantastic!
laura
1966
This memory was added on: June 17,2004
Curiousity has brought me here. My third oldest sister had this set. Unfortunately, my fourth oldest sister (very young then) set on the house and destroyed most of the dolls. I came along much later to find the only survivor. A young man with his beard shorn close and next to no hair. A leg that would not stay on and chewed hands. I took a special liking to this doll and adobted him into my favorite dolls circle. I gathered info but all I got was that he was from the sunshine family and my sister had lost the house in the above described way, the bus was lost and some of the dolls eyes were plucked and thrown into our family farm's stream. Understand now my need to protect this doll. I named him Roger and so he has been ever since. I later found and adopted the sunshine family baby. And today is the first time that I was able to research these dolls. I am now 24 and I still have these dolls in my memory box.
Monica
1979
we3peas@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: June 3,2004
My Sunshine Family Baby was used as Barbie's Baby too, with the Sunshine Family parents acting as the baby's older siblings. I felt like I was doing something wrong and that the dolls would be upset, so I remember trying to reassure the dolls that I knew whose baby she was, and that it was only for pretending purposes that she sleep in Babie's carrying case. I also remember at Christmas when my older cousins would poke out the dad and mom doll eyes. They were very diffiult to put back in place. And, I did think that the quality of their outfits was chintzy even as a 6 year old.
Dana Bellanger
1971
info@danabellanger.com
This memory was added on: May 27,2004
Ahhh The sunshine family, I loved them. I remember one x-mas getting the sunshine family and the camper, we had a finished basement and I had gotton a new album for x-mas also (k-tel music express) I remember balsting the record and just playing all day with the sundhine family. I recently bought them on e-bay (mint in package)Now I just need the camper.
Laura
1965
katiekiss1@aol.com
This memory was added on: May 19,2004
There was just something about this cute, cute family!! Not to mention that very cool house!!! My friend Sherry had them first and I just HAD to have the family and the cottage for Christmas. I just remember looking so forward to getting that gift! It was one of the best Christmas gifts as a kid! I have tried to find them again on ebay, but no luck.
carol
1965
ceevee120@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: March 27,2004
what is it with big brothers? my older brother violated my Mr. Sunshine and i couldn't believe someone could be so cruel. hmmm, jealous much? he also popped out their eyes. i still have a lot of the accessories, the house and the gender neutral baby. unfortunately, my brother tried to flush mom and dad sunshine's heads down the toilet, and they were never the same. my barbies adopted the baby and moved into the house (without the roof, because of the height difference) and baby sunshine forgot all about her hippie parents and became paris hilton!
jill
1971
This memory was added on: February 15,2004
forget the BABY'S gender, i'm still trying to figure out the FATHER'S gender.
jb
1967
This memory was added on: February 6,2004
I was doing some research for my mom's 5oth birthday party. Kinda like a remembering the decades thing and came across this site. Crazy man...I have not seen the Sunshine Family in years..that was my toy when I was a kid. Thanks for the smile!!!!!
Tonya Mitchell
06/04/72
This memory was added on: January 3,2004
I had the BLACK family with the camper,which is ironic because black people don't go camping.
Debbie
1969
reiddebster@aol.com
This memory was added on: October 26,2003
Yeah...this was most definitely a "twinkie" toy. My G.I. Joe's would have violated the mom and kicked the dad's ass, I'm sure. Ever notice how the male dolls that were intended for girls, such as "Ken" and stuff...looked all 'nice' and wholesome and gentle? Haha! No facial hair, scars on the face, guns and fast motorcycles for those guys. If my sister had this toy, I would have felt the need to torment her also, by committing some horrible act to the dolls. I mean, what else are older brothers for,anyway : )
HeyJoe
1964
This memory was added on: September 25,2003
I loved my sunshine family! I had the house, car, pool, and a farm. The farm was my favorite, because it had a chicken that laid eggs and a cow that you could milk, and if I remember right it mooed as well. All my friends had Barbies, but my Mom hated Barbie so I never owned one. I was embarrassed of my Sunshine family for a long time and I never showed any of my friends. Until one day a friend came over to play and I forgot to hide my Shunshine Family and their possessions. She went CRAZY over all of it. She told everyone in the neighborhood about it and they all took turns playing with me. I only had one family ,so lots of fights ensued. The Barbies were all to tall to fit in the house and car,and such. So we did the onlyy thing we could do...lots of feet and leg amputations! They never looked at their stupid, freakishly big Barbies the same way again. I bet there were lots of angry parents that summer. LOL!
Melinda
1969
Minniepott@cox.net
This memory was added on: September 15,2003
Okay, no I don't have them but I'm curious to know.... what the heck is the baby's gender? even a friend of mine said she didn't know, who owned it. I found an ad in an old magazine and it didn't say either. Why do you think the baby's in yellow?!? I do remember that the bodies were used also for space 1999 figures.
Larry
Larry
1965
crescentmooncomics@juno.com
This memory was added on: August 7,2003
I had the Sunshines and a bunch of Barbies--the Sunshines were lots more fun as I recall... bendier knees. But harder to buy clothes for. They lived in the bottom part of my trunk, which was all set up as their house, and the Barbies and their clothes all lived on the removeable top shelf. I think I had the craft store, too (though I thought it was a craft van?), and I used to do the crafts with the mom. Good toys all around.
Barbara
1970
This memory was added on: August 2,2003
My family didn't have a lot of money when I was little, so my sisters and I shared our Sunshine Resources! We built our collection of families, the store, the farm, even the bike, dog, and cat, over the holidays and each of our 4 birthdays. We all played for hours together. I remember baking the little fake dough things for the store in my mother's over. I remember that we borrowed milk replacer from a neighbor with cows so that we could keep it in our barn, hay too. I miss those days with my sisters now that we are grown and on different coasts,..... I still have my Sunshine Family. I am planning to get a set on Ebay for my big sister, to surprise her at Christmas. The Sunshines were part of our family as children.
Mia
1967
miamia111@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: July 12,2003
Funny how the toy maunfacturers would make a male doll for little girls to play with that was very "kind" and gentle looking. *LOL*!! Like a nice boyfriend or fatherly figure. Not like those gnarly G.I. Joe's with guns and grenades and battle scars on their faces, huh??
HeyJoe
1964
This memory was added on: July 3,2003
My sister and I had the Sunshine Family, and the house and the bike and we had such fun with all of them! What a memory! My daughters play with the set when they go to grandma's house and I have been known to get on the floor and play too!
Kathy
1966
dkjose@ncn.net
This memory was added on: June 28,2003
I had the black sunshine family and my sister had the white one. I cut my baby's hair into a mohawk so it'd look like Mr. T.
sarah
1970
oceansista@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: June 26,2003
I had the Sunshine Family store. It had a little pottery wheel that really worked. Of course I was never able to make anything that even resembled anything on this planet.
dianne
1964
zonight@aol.com
This memory was added on: June 13,2003
I can't believe I found this website either just like the other reader I typed in The Sunshine Family because I wanted to see if I could find them and give them as a gift to my sister and her husband. I've called them the sunshine family for 18 years. They've been married for almost 20 years now and as soon as they had their first child I thought they were so cute so I started calling them the Sunshines. hehehehe... Anyway, I just thought I'd share that. The sunshines were just too cute! Too bad Mattel doesn't stil make them. Oh well...
Linn
1965
This memory was added on: May 26,2003
I had afriend who had the sunshine family, she always had all the good stuff for she was just one of two but I was one of six kids. We played with it all the time she had so much of the extended stuff too, it was a little girls dream.
Jean
1964
This memory was added on: May 26,2003
Lol! I can't believe I found this website! I typed in "The Sunshine Family" because I'm trying to find old stuff from my childhood memories just to see if I can find it on the Internet! Here's my Sunshine family memories: both my sister and I had a set of the them, and we also bought the separate babies. We always used the Sunshine family babies for our Barbie's babies. Then we used to take Steve and pop his eyes out so he was an evil person after our Barbie families! Lol! We were strange kids! Remember those plastic containers that came out of vending machines with little toys or stickers in them? We used those plastic thingies to put on the babies' heads, then we would comb the bottom of their hair up and around it, over and over, until it was permanently "curled!" Happy memories!!! :)
mindy
1972
minderin@msn.com
This memory was added on: May 25,2003
My sister had all the Barbies, and I had The Sunshine Family. I didn't care that I got teased about my cute little playset, I liked how my boy doll had hair you could brush! Lucky for me, my mom kept all of my old toys and my cute little playset is still in my posession.
Lise
1970
footbie@hotmail.com
This memory was added on: May 11,2003
When my oldest daughter Amber was 4 or 5, she just had to have the Sunshine Family (not to mention the numerous other toys she wanted, and I was able to provide for she was an only child for 8 years) So I was basically her playmate, and we played with that Sunshine Family a lot. I don't know whatever happened to it, but I sure do wish now that I had kept all her toys for my grandson. That would have been a great legacy; I did manage to save a few things and he plays with them at my house when he spends weekends with me. But our Sunshine Family just vanished somewhere along the way.
Twhiler Anne Waid
1949
Rodixe@cs.com
This memory was added on: May 10,2003
My sister had the whole Sunshine Family, and probably some of the extras, grandparents, etc. But I was FASCINATED with the baby. The baby actually came by itself in other packages, and in different styles. My cousin and I would play a game we called "Barbie babies" and use the Sunshine Family babies in this game. I had the blonde that you see in the picture, plus a doll with curly (wild!) red hair, that came with about 50 accessories, a high chair, cradle, bottles, baby lates, you wouldn't believe all the stuff that was included. My Barbies are gone, but my "Barbie babies" are still one of my most cherished posessions.
Anita
1965
anitachapman@charter.net
This memory was added on: May 8,2003
The Sunshine Family was the greatest! I had Steve, Steffi & Sweets then begged all my extended family to get me others, I ended up with the Happy Family, the Sunshine grandparents, the cat & dog, the Star Spangled Indian & Southern Belle... not to mention the house, the bike, and a few of the outfit kits. I loved these way more than Barbie since creativity & recycling were so encouraged. I remember that the folded "idea books" that came with each of the sets was almost as important to me as the actual toy. I built a complex of rooms out of cardboard boxes & multiple recycled items that took over my childhood bedroom. Just this past week, some of the dolls & items were rediscovered @ my mom's house. I am currently hitting E-Bay up for all the missing items=== now I want them all again, to share with my 4 year old daughter instead of the butt ugly "Bratz" dolls with their mall mentality of shop 'til you drop.
Jean
1966
divajean13207@yahoo,com
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