How old for American Girl dolls?

L L CG · January 2012

I never had these so I have no clue. Someone is selling a collection of them and wanted to know if I wanted to get Alice started. Is this something that would just sit on the shelf for 4 years before she was ready?

jml5q · January 2012

ooh, i say get them! is it a good deal? what dolls are included? some of the older ones you can't get anymore. like samantha - that's the one i had growing up.

my mom bought DD bitty baby last year (2010) for christmas, so dd was almost 2 and she plays with it all the time. it's got a soft body and no hair though.

i think she'd play with them a lot sooner than 4 years from now if she's into dolls.

balihaigirl · January 2012

Not sure when they got into them but my two nieces ages 5 & 6 are obsessed with them.

katattack · January 2012

I got DD the Bitty Baby by American Girl for Christmas last year; she was 2.5. She didn't really start playing with it until Thanksgiving this year, but now at 3.5, it's her constant companion (and even has a baby seat on her bike for it). It's the cheaper option for the dolls as well and a little more durable (no hair, no small accessories, etc.). I don't plan on buying DD an American Girl doll for a couple of years, and then only if she wants one.

And of course, then there's always the idea that your DD might not take to dolls. DD's BFF still doesn't like dolls; she's into Cars, Legos, etc. (So is DD, but she plays with dolls as well.)

meg120510 · January 2012

I would personally wait until she was older. Our niece got hers when she was 5 and plays with it all the time now. She's 8.

AustinAggie01 · January 2012

I could be wrong, but I think the recommended age for the regular dolls (not the itty bitty babies or whatever) is 6. MIL wanted to get DD one (the real one that has similar features) for Christmas, but I asked her to wait. DD is 3.5, likes dolls and isn't hard on her toys, but I think she'll get more out of it if we wait a bit longer. I'm too old to have gotten into the craze, but my little sister was super in to American Dolls. Her daughter, my niece, is 5 and my sister hasn't bought one for her yet, nor has she handed over her own doll. She can't wait to share, but she's waiting for the right time. I think my sister was about 8, but I know WE won't wait that long. We went to the store/cafe in MN this summer and I was overwhelmed in a good way. I can.not.wait. to take DD and friends/nieces to Dallas for an over-the-top girly weekend!

But, in this case, I do think they'd sit in a closet for several years...

mrs.wildman · January 2012

I'd say 5-6 unless it's a Bitty Baby, then 3 (which is my plan). I never had American Girls, but was always supremely jealous of my friends who did, (even at 8/9). So I'm very excited to get one for DD. If the collection is affordable, I'd totally buy it and store it in a closet or her shelf till she's old enough.

mlf625 · January 2012

mrs.wildman:
I'd say 5-6 unless it's a Bitty Baby, then 3 (which is my plan).

That's what I think, too. DD is into dolls, but I'll wait another year or so before doing the Bitty Baby thing. Maybe for her 3rd birthday.

AustinBride06 · January 2012

I was 8 when I got mine. At the time, there were just the three historical dolls and I was actually introduced to them through school. My third-grade teacher read us the Kirsten books to kind-of make pioneer history relatable to us and I was hooked. But I ended up getting Samantha because she had prettier clothing and looked more like me. As much as I like the "just like me" AG dolls, I think I'd wait until my hypothetical daughter was old enough to read the historical books (or at least understand them when they're being read to her). So probably 7. My niece is almost 6 and has one and I think that's a little too young, especially for how expensive they are.

I went in the Dallas store this holiday season though... it's pretty fun. The 5th Ave store is even better.

fjaril · January 2012

those dolls are creepy to me

However, if it's a good deal and you have room on a shelf, I'd get them now and have them already

MrsAJL · January 2012

I wanted an American Girl dolls so much! They discontinued the doll I wanted, though.

I'm thinking of maybe getting one for Molly when she's about 5. However, if there was a good deal on the collection, I'd snag it and then save it for when she was older.

kiarox2002 · January 2012

My mom insisted on getting Kate Bitty Baby for Christmas when she was 18 months old. She liked it. Now, at about age 2 she got *really* into Bitty. Like totally loves her.

I had a Kirsten doll (actually, it's still in my closet) and I loved her. My grandmother and I had "shared custody" since she helped me buy her. I had to save up $40 (which was half of the price at the time) and it made me appreciate her a lot more. I *really* wanted all of the accessories and stuff, but it adds up. I can't imagine giving Kate a real American doll before she is at least 5. Probably closer to 6 or 7.

molliedb · January 2012

my girls got bitty babies from my mom for christmas. i'll be honest, i wasn't on board at all and nixed them last year and she bought them this year without asking me. i think the babies are cute but unnecessarily expensive and the clothes/accessories are just over the top for me. kids this age cannot keep track of them (one sock here, one shoe there, etc) and i will not be buying any additional clothes for the dolls. especially when the price for their clothes could actually clothes real people that dont have shoes. (getting off my soapbox... sorry)

my mother will likely buy them the older girl dolls when they are 6 or 7 again without asking

if they are a good price and you have storage room, i would certainly consider it. that shiz is $$$

michelleaxo · January 2012

If Gracie has her way, she would have had one 6 months ago. I curse the person who put us on their mailing list. She walks around with the cataloge and tells me she wants the "Rebecca" doll. But they cost waaaaay to much $$$$ for me to get her one right now, especially after I see what she did to the Disney Princess Barbie collection she just got for Christmas. BUT, if you get a good deal, get them and put them away for a few years.

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