Our Generation Dolls (Target) vs. AG Dolls

[WeLoveLilo05]

Starting my Christmas Shopping and DD says she wants an AG doll, but she's only 5 and I'm not really sure if she'll appreciate and take good care of a $100+ AG doll. I found the Our Generation dolls at Target for $32, think I should go for it? Anyone have these? What's your take?

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

My daughter has one, and has a lot of the accessories. They are the same size as the American Girl Dolls, so they can share clothing and accessories. If your daughter is looking for a doll to play with, it is a great doll. It is perfect for a 5 year old.
If your daughter was older, and was looking for an AG doll to collect, or go with the movies and books...it would be a different story.

[RobinFabulous]

We tried all of those dolls before we caved in and bought Hannah an AG. It really depends on how well you think your child will take care of it. The quality is not the same, the hair is very different and you can tell. Hannah got her AG doll on her 9th birthday. Hers is well taken care of, but I do think she was on the end of the spectrum for playing with her. I think if we had gotten her a year or two sooner she would have enjoyed her much more. Hers is in A+ shape though. She didn't want a real one until she really got into the books. Allie is 4 and very destructive, so we're going to wait a bit until she can take care of one before she gets it.

I think it all depends on the child. If your 5 year old will take care of it, it will be a great investment and all of the stories will probably motivate her to read more, but if she's not able to take care of it it might be a waste

[WeLoveLilo05]

Originally Posted by RobinFabulous

We tried all of those dolls before we caved in and bought Hannah an AG. It really depends on how well you think your child will take care of it. The quality is not the same, the hair is very different and you can tell. Hannah got her AG doll on her 9th birthday. Hers is well taken care of, but I do think she was on the end of the spectrum for playing with her. I think if we had gotten her a year or two sooner she would have enjoyed her much more. Hers is in A+ shape though. She didn't want a real one until she really got into the books. Allie is 4 and very destructive, so we're going to wait a bit until she can take care of one before she gets it.

I think it all depends on the child. If your 5 year old will take care of it, it will be a great investment and all of the stories will probably motivate her to read more, but if she's not able to take care of it it might be a waste

And thats another thing too, I really am excited about getting the dolls with the stories for her, but I also think she wouldn't really sit for them as they are a bit long right? And I also heard that many of them are a little sad. If I got DD an AG doll I would probably get her Kit, but still on the fence about it. Maybe I will get her this Our Generation doll and then see what it looks like in a few months.

[kittycatalina65]

Big difference is the hair. If she's into brushing and styling the hair, the Our Generation dolls will not hold up.
I would look on Craigslist/ebay for a gently used one, or for the same price as the Target doll look into a Madame Alexander (I saw some at Costco for around $30) or a Gotz (can be found at Tuesday Morning for around $30 too).
Sizewise, they are all comparable, with the only exception being maybe some shoe styles.

[RobinFabulous]

Originally Posted by WeLoveLilo05

And thats another thing too, I really am excited about getting the dolls with the stories for her, but I also think she wouldn't really sit for them as they are a bit long right? And I also heard that many of them are a little sad. If I got DD an AG doll I would probably get her Kit, but still on the fence about it. Maybe I will get her this Our Generation doll and then see what it looks like in a few months.

I think some of the stories are a bit over the head of the average 5 year old. But they are educational. Hannah learned a lot about other periods in time. I do think they would probably be around 2nd grade level or 7+. BUT I think the first book is kind of a "introduction" and might be better.


Did she see the Kit movie? Or the Carissa? My 4 year old is too young for them, but I really want to get her Rebecca (?sp?) because it's her first name. We looked into a Bitty baby, but again she's pretty destructive and I'm hoping she grows up a little when she starts school next year

[foltzy]

We bought our 4 year old a Generation Doll last Christmas. She loves "Tin" . She likes to have her dressed each day and each night (She has 2 day outfits and a night outfit). We decided not to get her an American Girl doll because she plays hard with her dolls. We will consider getting her one when she's a little older. For now she's thrilled with the Generation Doll and has been asking for one she saw at Walmart. I'll probably get her that for Christmas this year.

[ceecee]

It's like comparing apples to oranges. 5 may be a little young, maybe a Bitty Baby at this age. My DD loved for me to read the stories to her even at that age though, so when she got Samantha, she was so excited! Just be warned that starting at a young age, you will spend tons of $ over the years! I tried the off brands and even the Disney dolls, but she still wanted a real AG.

[luvsJack]

DD got the doll from Target, with lots of clothes, other accessories and a horse when she was 5 or 6. All the "extras" held up better than the doll actually did but like others were saying its the hair (but even the hair was good for a couple of years). With my child, the doll was fine until I thought she was old enough for a more expensive doll and by that time she no longer wanted that type of doll and is more into collecting Barbies. The horse for the doll is still in her room though and looks brand new (she loves horses and its more "on display" than a toy).

[gillenkl]

I bought the Target doll and the horse for DD for this christmas. No, it's not the same as AG, but both of these items cost under $50 on sale. DD said she didn't want an AG and asked for the Target doll instead. I would start with these cheaper dolls and see if her interest continues - if it does, then go for the more expensive dolls.

[MinMouse]

Years ago we bought one of these for our DD (who will be 15 in a few days!!!). I was willing to buy the AG doll if she showed an interest in the Our Generation doll. She never paid much attention to it but did end up reading every available AG doll book series (we borrowed them from the library) and was perfectly content. We never bought the AG dolls for either or our DDs. Our youger dd liked soft baby dolls much better. It's a good test to see if it's worth the investment of an AG doll (which I personally think are beautiful!).

[britfish]

Can someone explain to me the differences in the hair? can they actually style the hair on them and they won't become a tangled mess?

[summerrluvv]

Originally Posted by britfish

Can someone explain to me the differences in the hair? can they actually style the hair on them and they won't become a tangled mess?

We have an AG Bitty Twins doll and the hair is a mangled mess!!

[MichelleinMaine]

Originally Posted by kittycatalina65

Big difference is the hair. If she's into brushing and styling the hair, the Our Generation dolls will not hold up.
I would look on Craigslist/ebay for a gently used one, or for the same price as the Target doll look into a Madame Alexander (I saw some at Costco for around $30) or a Gotz (can be found at Tuesday Morning for around $30 too).
Sizewise, they are all comparable, with the only exception being maybe some shoe styles.

Ditto! We've no experience with the Madame Alexander ones, but Goetz ones (from Tuesday Morning) or a second hand AG are significantly better alternatives to the Target ones.

Originally Posted by britfish

Can someone explain to me the differences in the hair? can they actually style the hair on them and they won't become a tangled mess?

DD got the ice skater Target doll a couple years ago for Christmas. Her hair in the box is in a bun. Of course, first thing, DD wanted to take it down. The hair was very thin (borderline bald) on top. It does not brush well (even with a wire wig brush) and was a big tangled mess by Easter. (Reminiscent of dolls circa 1970's, how it would all mat up.) AWFUL. I'm not one to throw things out- fix it up, wear it out, pass it on. I finally tossed it, DD was so frustrated. I replaced her with a Goetz Precious Day doll- much better! (I should have known, DD has had the Goetz Maxi Muffin, comparable to AG's Bitty Twins, for several years. Still lovely- they can even go through the washing machine!)

I've since bought several AG's for her at thrift shops and yard sales $20 and under. It takes looking, but they are out there.

[DVCBELLE]

We have tried the knock off dolls - but DD had no interest in them. She has always loved her AG girls but she is turning 8 next week and has not REALLY taken an interest in them. She is getting one for her BD and one for Christmas. To me they are worth every penny!

Last week she went to the AG place in NY with her Grandma and they reccomend that you only brush the hair with a wire brush (like they sell) or with a toothbrush!! I thought that was crazy but it worked like a charm!