Growing toys, eg dolls

First and second parts of a toy are synchronously extensible from a third part or synchronously retractable back into the third part. The toy may be a doll, with neck, arms, legs and lower torso extensible/retractable relative to the upper torso, and with hair and teeth extensible/retractable relative to the head. Growth and retraction is achieved by a central screw-threaded shaft 30 driven by an electric motor 34 and having a variety of different pitch threads whereby synchronised but differential rates of growth are achieved for the various parts. Growth of the arms is achieved by means of a worm and pinion drive provided by the central shaft.