Worldwide Revenues by Brand (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Gross sales	$ 1,278,124	$ 1,266,692	$ 2,366,554	$ 2,283,892
Sales adjustments	(109,015)	(107,981)	(201,839)	(196,732)
Net Sales	1,169,109	1,158,711	2,164,715	2,087,160
Mattel Girls And Boys Brands
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Gross sales	792,428	781,644	1,484,598	1,403,886
Fisher-Price Brands
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Gross sales	396,730	407,269	683,995	717,438
American Girl Brands
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Gross sales	78,174	68,682	178,629	144,709
Other
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Gross sales	$ 10,792	$ 9,097	$ 19,332	$ 17,859

Aggregate of: (i) sales discounts given by the entity, including, but not limited to, early payments of accounts due, (ii) the total deduction from sales during the period arising from goods returned by customers (other than under warranty provisions), and (iii) price reductions (allowance, price protection agreements) given by the entity. Discounts, returns and allowances are a deduction from gross revenue in arriving at net revenue.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesDiscountsReturnsAndAllowancesGoods
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate revenue during the period from sale of goods in the normal course of business, before deducting returns, allowances and discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueGoodsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingRevenueReconcilingItemLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration