American Girl Dolls, for what age?

[WeLoveLilo05]

DD is being "introduced" to the American Doll line via McDonalds, she keeps saying how she would like one. The thing is, they are so expensive! She will be 5 in January, do you think she is too young for one of these dolls?

Personally, I would like to buy her one of the historical ones and start reading her the stories as well, but $95 is a lot, and then I am sure the accessories will be next.

WWYD? Any way to get them cheaper?

 

[coolshannie]

My mother started buying them for me when I was 8 years old. They really are a special set of dolls if you are buying from the historical section. I definitely wouldn't buy one until she could read so that she could read the story behind the doll and the time period that the doll came from. I still collect the dolls and I am 18 almost 19. Even though I no longer play with the dolls my mom still buys me one from time to time that she knows I would love because we still display them at christmas time and during other holidays as well. Its really something you can kind of take a part in with your daughter at some point. The American Girl company has wonderful books for mothers and daughters to read together, the movies you can watch together about the dolls that you read about, and if you are fortunate enough to travel to any of the AG stores in the U.S. its a wonderful experience. Although the dolls are pricey they really are a huge part of my childhood and something I will pass down to my daughter(s) if and when I even have one.

For a 4 year old there are bitty babys that are baby dolls but again are rather pricey.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

My mother started buying them for me when I was 8 years old. They really are a special set of dolls if you are buying from the historical section. I definitely wouldn't buy one until she could read so that she could read the story behind the doll and the time period that the doll came from. I still collect the dolls and I am 18 almost 19. Even though I no longer play with the dolls my mom still buys me one from time to time that she knows I would love because we still display them at christmas time and during other holidays as well. Its really something you can kind of take a part in with your daughter at some point. The American Girl company has wonderful books for mothers and daughters to read together, the movies you can watch together about the dolls that you read about, and if you are fortunate enough to travel to any of the AG stores in the U.S. its a wonderful experience. Although the dolls are pricey they really are a huge part of my childhood and something I will pass down to my daughter(s) if and when I even have one.

For a 4 year old there are bitty babys that are baby dolls but again are rather pricey.

I know, these dolls are just beautiful, I always wanted one when I was little too, but we couldn't afford it. I am looking at their website now and how they have special lunches and stuff with the dolls, so cute. We live in Jersey (about 40 mins from the City), this would be such a lovely treat for DD.

How long are the stories? Are they chapter books?
We'll see, maybe christmas Santa will get her one.

Shoot, I think I want to go to the America Girl store more than anything haha.

 

[coolshannie]

I know, these dolls are just beautiful, I always wanted one when I was little too, but we couldn't afford it. I am looking at their website now and how they have special lunches and stuff with the dolls, so cute. We live in Jersey (about 40 mins from the City), this would be such a lovely treat for DD.

How long are the stories? Are they chapter books?
We'll see, maybe christmas Santa will get her one.

The books aren't long at all. Each doll comes with the ' Meet ______ ' book, which is an introduction to that doll and the time period that she comes out of. After that you can purchase the rest of the series which are usually 8 to 9 books long. The books themselves are about 60 or so pages a piece. Your daughter would love the AG store, I've been once and its fun just to look around. The second floor is almost like a museum with all of the doll items displayed with each doll's little world.

 

[JohnsPrincess]

I think only you can decide if your DD is too young for them! Does she take care of the things that she has? If yes, then I think absolutely she'd enjoy having one and it would be something nice for you to share together! If not, I'd wait a couple more years until she was "ready" for something nice. My little sister (she's 9...I'm 30...) was started with a Bitty Baby. But for the past 3-4 years I've gotten her one of the "real" dolls each year for Christmas. She has always taken extremely good care of them.

The books are Adorable. They are chapter books with nice pictures too! They aren't Very long...MAYBE a centimeter think, if that. I think she'd enjoy reading them with you now, and by herself later!

I still have the first one that I got when I was a little girl (Kirsten was my first) and she (and her stuff) is still in perfect condition. They are pricey...but they are VERY well put together. These aren't things that are going to fall apart in a year or two, even if well loved! I have since gotten a few more of the dolls for myself!! LOL

You could also look on Ebay, but make sure you are actually getting a deal...

 

[SereneOne]

I think the Bitty Baby dolls are for ages six and up and the AG dolls are for ages 8 and up.

We live near Atlanta and our daughter is turning six this October. We are taking her to the AG store there and letting her pick out a doll between her bday and Christmas.

I think a Bitty doll would be a great start and then one of the "older" dolls when she is eight, but I have a feeling she is going to want one of them anyways, lol. So we shall see.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Unless your daughter is a big "baby doll" girl, I woudn't get a Bitty at 5. I know alot of girls in DD's class wouldn't have anything to do with a "baby" by kindergarten or so.

The AG dolls are very well made, unless your daughter's very destructive, she's not going to hurt it. The biggest thing is their hair. You need to use a wig brush on them (I got DD's at Sally's Beauty Supply for about $3, you don't need to get the AG one for more.) That brush (and any hair do dads) need to be used JUST for the doll, not on people or pet hair.

As for getting it cheaper, short answer is they do not go on sale. Occasionally there is a code for free shipping and sometimes $10 off coupons can be found in the movies when they come out.

If you're willing to get a used one, there are sometimes deals out there if you look. I've not spent more than $20 for the ones I've bought (from Craigslist, Goodwill and a lucky raffle ticket bought at the church fair.) I'm always on the lookout, though! Ebay also has some also, varying amounts of "bargain.)

Check out www.agplaythings.com- great site for all things AG.


eta- books, the historical's books (each has 6 of them, Rebecca's only got a couple so far, though) are easy read alouds. Be forwarned though that their are some tough subjects in them. Kirsten has a young friend die in the first one, Addy is beaten by her master... These are unavoidable sort of realities in history, but may be too much for your daughter. Check them out from the library and read them yourself before you get stuck in a tricky chapter!

I've found the girl-of-the-year books (the current girl of the year is Chrissa and friends, there have been various others past years) are at much higher level. They're longer for read alouds and "heavier" topics. I started reading Mia to DD8 last year. It was really over her head and we never finished. The historical books better for the younger crowd.

 

[mjkacmom]

I waited until dd could read the books herself, and she picked the dolls based on her favorite characters. She's now 13, done with them, and dd8 and dd6 have no interest.

 

[chisnpeke]

I got my first one at 7 after a few years of wanting Kirsten. I collected several more of them. They are very special and I never grew tired of them and played with them until I was 12.

Have you considered getting her a mini American Girl doll as something to keep her happy until the real thing? I know waiting a few years for my doll made it so much more exciting for me and made me appreciate it so much more. Only you know if your daughter is ready for one of the dolls though.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

My mom spoils my DD with AG stuff. She got her Bitty Baby at 2.5. My DD played with her all the time until she was about 5. She is still is good shape, and we play with her when little cousins visit. I'm sure I will have her for my grandkids.

My mom got her the one where you can get to resemble yourself when my DD was 5. She played with it some, but not like Bitty Baby.

When she was six and seven my DD picked out Felicity and Kit. She plays with these all the time. I did tell my mom NO more dolls. My DD just turned 8, and my mom just got her accessories.

My DD still doesn't play with the look like me one very much. I think she likes Felicity and Kit so much because of the books. She knows their history. We've gotten most of the other books from the library, and she loves to read them.

FYI - I am pretty sure the books are labeled 4th grade reading level. That seems about right for historical content. My DD can read them, but I've had to explain things that she doesn't understand because of the history.

 

[mtemm]

my 5 year old (and her twin brother) got the bitty twins when they were around 2, and she now has 2 other bittys to keep them company. she LOVES bitty baby and is just starting to talk about the bigger dolls, but really gets so much joy out of bitty we are holding off for a while on the others. we live near an american girl store and go there every so often to dream and look around and while she likes the bigger doll stuff, she still runs right to the bitty area. Am sad to hear about all the 5 year olds here who have already outgrown their bitty. sigh. I guess its bound to happen, though.

I wonder if you can ever find them on craigs list? I'm sure there are people who buy them thinking their girls will play with them, but they aren't that interested, so the parents try to recoup some money, but not as high as what AG charges? just a thought.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

My mom spoils my DD with AG stuff. She got her Bitty Baby at 2.5. My DD played with her all the time until she was about 5. She is still is good shape, and we play with her when little cousins visit. I'm sure I will have her for my grandkids.

My mom got her the one where you can get to resemble yourself when my DD was 5. She played with it some, but not like Bitty Baby.

When she was six and seven my DD picked out Felicity and Kit. She plays with these all the time. I did tell my mom NO more dolls. My DD just turned 8, and my mom just got her accessories.

My DD still doesn't play with the look like me one very much. I think she likes Felicity and Kit so much because of the books. She knows their history. We've gotten most of the other books from the library, and she loves to read them.

FYI - I am pretty sure the books are labeled 4th grade reading level. That seems about right for historical content. My DD can read them, but I've had to explain things that she doesn't understand because of the history.

A PP mentioned some books content is a bit intense, how is Kit's? She is the one who grow up in the Depression right? I was thinking of getting her that one (for Christmas or Birthday) b/c, although we are not in a depression, she has heard in the past 2 years "we can't afford it" and things like that b/c of money being tight.
Anyone have the dolls from the 70's era? What are their stories like? I should look them up on amazon.

 

[All American]

I think I was around 10 when I got into the American Girl books. It was when the company was still owned/ran by Pleasant Company, and the only dolls were Samantha, Felicity, Kirsten, and (later, I think,) Molly, so I don't know much about the dolls beyond those four. I still have my Samantha doll, furniture, and accessories. My five-year-old is a bit of a tomboy, and while she doesn't like to play with dolls or has much interest in the stories, she absolutely loves the Samantha extras. I routinely find her having a tea party with her beanie babies, sending the Webkinz to school, or putting Mickey Mouse to sleep.

If you're on the fence I'd go with a PP and try Craigslist. I've also seen some fairly good deals on ebay where a seller had some of the original Pleasant Company items, didn't know it, and sold it for "cheap". Good luck!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I looked on craigslist in my area and they had some for around $65 and then some that were more money b/c they had some extra clothes.

IDK if anyone else feels this way, but I think I'd rather buy a new one for $95? I still think $65 is a bit much for something used, what do you all think?

 

[All American]

I looked on craigslist in my area and they had some for around $65 and then some that were more money b/c they had some extra clothes.

IDK if anyone else feels this way, but I think I'd rather buy a new one for $95? I still think $65 is a bit much for something used, what do you all think?

I agree and would probably buy new.

 

[Ephany]

DD6 has two dolls, a JLY and Mia. Even though she loves to play with them, she's been begging for the bitty twins for the last year (I thought she'd outgrow them too fast, apparently I was wrong). She wants a girl with blond hair like me and a boy dark hair like her dad. She's almost 7, but still loves her baby dolls. They've got some adorable accessories too which might appeal to your little one.

 

[coolshannie]

Kit was actually my very favorite doll. I just got her best friend doll Ruthie this last christmas along with the Kit movie that just came out on DVD not to long ago... When I was little I really found the Kit series to be informative but really interesting. It really teaches you about the depression without it being too sad. It showed how her entire family's lifestyle had to change and different projects and things they did to save money or how their extra activities changed. They are a great series of books in my opinion and i don't believe they are to intense at all.

 

[scottishduffy]

I got my first doll around age 8. I believe I got Samantha the very first year she came out.

I don't have kids yet, but I would imagine I would want to wait until the kid can read the books. That way the girl can find her favorite character and really know and appreciate that particular doll. As soon as a child could read the chapter books, I would get a doll for her.

I think 5 may be a litle young for my taste, but I have seen plenty of children that age with the dolls who seem to adore them. My only qualm is wanting the child to relate the doll to the stories.

 

[Dancemom03]

Shoot, I think I want to go to the America Girl store more than anything haha.

Oh, I love AGP! I suggest a mini DIS meet at AGPNYC sometime before Christmas after the window displays are up. We could all have lunch together in the cafe, then maybe defect down the street to DS if it's still open for a little mouse laden atmosphere too. If anyone's interested, I'd be happy to coordinate...

 

[autumnpalm]

I had an AG doll when I was little too! I was 9 when I got my first one, I think. I remember my mom saying that if I saved up half of the money she would chip in the rest and doing odd jobs all over the house until I had enough. I ended up with two of them. I LOVED my dolls and brought them everywhere with me.

I think anywhere 7 and up would be an appropriate age. But it really does depend on the child!