American Girl- Excited and Frustrated

[Friend of a Mouse]

I was browsing the American Girl shop at Oak Park and noticed that they now have hearing aids and guide dogs for accessories! I am very excited as the only dolls I have found that have these up until this point are very unrealistic and ugly. I am excited that my students have dolls they can identify with, and in a brand that is mainstreamed. You can even find it at the actual store!

Now on to the frustration. I wouldn't mind getting one for my classroom for imaginative play, however the hearing aids will obviously only work with an AG doll. I tried going on to eBay t o find one to see if I could get one for cheaper than they have them. It didn't matter how many different searches I tried, I had to wade through page after page of accessories when all I want is to find a decent bargain on a doll. I finally gave up. I even tried clicking on a related search labelled "dolls only". You would think they would make it easier to find what you are looking for.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

My district had a special education fund that we received each year (had to remember to ask for it, though) that we could use to buy things like this. Any chance that your district is the same way?

 

[Friend of a Mouse]

II already get a lot more for my new classroom than I ever go for my old with all of our special equipment and braille supplies. I even got them to agree to some special field trips to address expanded core curriculum. I'm pretty sure I'd shoot myself in the foot if I told them I wanted an American Girl doll. But thank you for the suggestion.

I'm just happy that a very well liked and mainstream company is finally carrying these accessories. It's so important to me that my students be able to find things they can identify with. Now, if they would only add the white cane to their collection, it would be even better!

 

[tchrrx]

I did a google search and found this dog and cane for $20 that will work with any 18" doll.

http://www.pattycakedoll.com/dolls_guide_dog

ETA: I found it at several different sites. I googled "white seeing cane for dolls."

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

alot of the AG stuff fits the madame alexander dolls too. You can get them at toyrus and if you wait you can get some pretty good deals. We paid $20 for one last year.

the daycare I worked at last had a bunch of dolls from this site:http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/se...shore/ShopByCategory/dramaticplay/viewall.jsp
They were great quality and very realistic.

 

[SaraJayne]

What about your local Craigslist for a doll?

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

Definitely check out thrift stores in your area- I know people who have gotten AG dolls for under $5 there. I know with the hearing aid, though, it requires a special hole be made behind the ear, so that it stays on properly. I know AG does this, but I don't know how much it would cost. If you can find a cheap doll, you could always see how well it stays on without it, though.

 

[fairestoneofall]

Target also sells dolls that are very similar to AG. They are called "Our Generation" dolls.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Definitely check out thrift stores in your area- I know people who have gotten AG dolls for under $5 there. I know with the hearing aid, though, it requires a special hole be made behind the ear, so that it stays on properly. I know AG does this, but I don't know how much it would cost. If you can find a cheap doll, you could always see how well it stays on without it, though.

time to get out an awl and make a hole. A tin punch would work too (I peirced a few dolls ears once)

 

[Tabologist]

I have some dummy hearing aids that I can send you. If they fit specific dolls or not, I'm not sure but you're welcome to have them

 

[jbcheerchick93]

I found that this link http://www.ebay.com/sch/Dolls-/238/i.html?_sop=1&_nkw=american+girl+doll+just+like+you&rt=nc has many dolls, the doll to accessory ratio is about 1:3, but there are still a lot! Just look for the ones without clothes on or the ones with the boxes in the picture. HTH

 

[aladams2]

I second the Craigslist idea. I've seen them for $60! I was tempted to buy it, but DH would have a fit if we added a 5th doll!

I love that they have that set as well as others. DD had to get headgear for her braces this summer and she bought the headgear set for her doll too. They were them at bedtime together. It's so cute and connects them more than they were before.