The Sunshine Family
By Euphrates


Mattel's Sunshine Family and Happy Family were model American families, sort of like the
'70s version of Leave it to Beaver set to a John Denver soundtrack.  Mattel gave the families
plenty to do, making activity sets for camping, craft making, growing and selling vegatables
and a surrey cycle built for three. 


This 9-inch tall line of dolls were quite popular, running from 1974 to 1982.  The last 
few years of the line found Steve and Stephie looking a bit more like Bob and Carol Brady.  
Steve's originally safe but still modern hair-cut was now a perm and Stephie's once 
wholesome complexion was now marred with blue eye-shadow.  Mattel also used Steve and 
Stephie's heads and bodies for a Bicentennial/Little House on the Prarie-esque line called 
Star Spangled Dolls.






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