What is a Sea Wees? 

The questions I am most often asked about Sea Wees are: How can I tell if I have one?, Who made Sea Wees?, and where can I find some Sea Wees?, so let's see if we can shed a little light on these mysteries. Sea Wees are a small mermaid dolls created by the Kenner Toy Company. You can see a marking of C.P.G. or C.F.G 1979, 1983, or 1984 Hong Kong on the back of each doll. Sea Wees began distribution in the fall of 1979. The Sea Wees brand ran from 1979 - 1984. They originally cost somewhere around $5.00. They were small, pocket sized, mermaid dolls targeted at young girls for play in their bathtub. Finding a Sea Wees is very good luck as they are somewhat valuable, they are easily overlooked in a box, and many were destroyed due to use and molding. In fact, many Sea Wees found have VDS, vinyl deterioration spots, that are really mold growing down into the plastic destroying the doll. For more information on how to rescue a VDS stricken Sea Wees see the whybelate.com Doll and Toy First Aid web pages. You can find Sea Wees at small little online boutiques, action figure shops, online auctions, garage sales, and your local antique store or flea market.

The original Sea Wees came alone with a doll, comb, and lily pad. Their face possessed a simple smile and large sweet painted eyes. Each doll possessed long synthetic hair that hung to the end of her tail fin. This long hair was perfect for combing, braiding, or styling. The arms were set static outward, so that the doll would not slip through the bathtub floating lily pad. Each lily pad had a hole big enough for the doll's mermaid tail. When the doll was placed in her lily pad and placed on water the doll floated on the water. On top of that the lily pad could also be used as a washcloth. The included combs were appropriately styled in the shape of small fish and sea shells, but was large enough for a child to use easily. This combination was magic to the little girls of that era and we all wanted and got Sea Wees for our very own.

The next issue of Sea Wees were called Sea Wees 'n Babies. These were a reissue of the original Sea Wees, only now they came with a small baby and Stormy Sea Wees was added to their ranks. Each of these dolls came with a comb, lily pad for two, and a small baby.

The next issue of Sea Wees were Fancy Sea Wees and Babies. The front of the packaging called them Sea Wees 'N Babies, but the back of the card called them Fancy Sea Wees 'N Babies. Even the TV commercial called them Fancy Sea Wees and Babies. These dolls were styled much like the original dolls only now they had fancier hair styles, such as pink curly hair and pig tails. Some combs now came infused with glitter and some had different shapes. That spring the first Sea Wees Play Set was released. Variants of Sunny and Merry Sea Wees called Shiny and Briny were released along with their babies, accessories and a huge star shaped lily pad for four.

The next issue of Sea Wees were Tropi-Gals. Each Tropi-Gal Sea Wee had lovely light brown skin, colorful hair, a baby, a pet, a lily pad for three, a comb, and a grass skirt. The lily pads also changed shape from the traditional lily pad shape to a red flower shape. Christmas this year saw the release of the Tropi-Gals Playset. Flora and Camille along with their children and pets were re-issued with infused bi-color hair and different colored bodies.

The next issue of Sea Wees were the Icy-Gals. They came with sectioned bicolor hair, molded fur coats, a baby, a pet, a comb, and an iceberg shaped lily pad for three. They also had Eskimo shaped eyes and color skin. These are truly the most beautiful Sea Wees ever produced and I believe they were the most popular.

The last issue of Sea Wees were the Bubble Ballet Sea Wees. Each Sea Wee came with a delicate lace tutu, a comb that doubled as a stand, a baby with a tutu and crown, and two fancy lily pads (one large lily pad for the mother, and a smaller one for the baby.)

The Sea Wee Playset was called the Sea Wee Lagoon. It arrived in stores during the Christmas season of the release of Sea Wees 'N Babies. The Lagoon was a floating island where Sea Wees and their babies could play and take a shower. Also included with this playset were coral sponge accents, a puffer fish that ran the shower, and a sea horse. The Sea Wee doll carry case came in the shape of a clam shell. Inside was room for three Sea Wees and babies, combs, a mirror, and a special comb and brush for you. The top of the Sea Wee case had a special clear plastic bubble to display one Sea Wee.