What age for American Girl dolls?

[DisneyLover83]

My niece is turning 4. Can any of you moms out there tell me if 4 is to young? I do not mind spending the money on this doll if she will actually play with it, but if it will be a few years I would rather wait.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't think it is too young.

My girls got their first doll in 2005 when my oldest was 5. She got Josefina. I did get my 3yo a biddy baby. But she got a just like me doll the following year.

IMHO--the age guidelines they set are more for the educational aspects (the books are novels and some of the play things can be very intricate).

But for a tea party doll, I think it woudl be great.

Usually biddy baby and biddy twins are geared for the younger set. But my kids got the AG dolls well before age 8 and they were fine.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Does she play with dolls now?

My girls and I for that matter never ever played with any dolls so it was a waste of money everytime someone bought them one. I told them not to buy them any but they were determined that "one day" they were going to suddenly play with them.

Well they are 18 and 13 and it never happened. They liked animals.

 

[aprilgail2]

I don't think its to young! They outgrow them so fast you might as well buy it now and let her get some use out of them- by 9 1/2 my daughter was done and over with american girl! I just bought my cousins first daughter one for her first birthday- of course she is not playing with it yet but its there when she is ready!

 

[Briarmom]

DD was 3 when she got the Bitty Twins.
Now, at 6, she has several others. She plays with them all the time.

 

[DisneyLover83]

Thanks for your opinions! I was concerned because the site says 8 and up for the dolls, but she does love the dolls she has so I think I will get her a Felicity for her birthday and some accessories for christmas.

 

[NewCrew42]

Thanks for your opinions! I was concerned because the site says 8 and up for the dolls, but she does love the dolls she has so I think I will get her a Felicity for her birthday and some accessories for christmas.

If someone will read the books to her, she'll be great. I think reading the books to the children really encourages their play with the doll.

I think the age really has more to do with the reading level of the books. I think if I remember correctly, my dd was really into reading the books herself around 2nd grade.

I want to say that we didn't purchase a doll until 1st grade. I just waited for her to ask for one. I do have friends that thier girls asked for the dolls at much younger ages.

 

[minkydog]

My DD16 got her American Girl doll, Samantha when she turned 6. She wasn't really interested in the AG series until then. The dolls are very expensive, IMO, and I wanted to wait until she was a little older so she would take care of it. And she did! She played with Samantha until she was 10.

 

[CptJackSparrowsGirl]

I got mine when I was I believe 5 or 6 as a Christmas Presant. I got Kristian. I think thats how you spell her name lol. She was my favorite doll. I have her still and in my bedroom closet. Aw the good old days

 

[nskjerven]

My DD started with BB at 3 then AG like me doll at 4, then the rest came....she is still playing with them and she is 12.

I vote dolls early and often