At What Age to Give an American Girl Doll

Updated on October 22, 2009
C.B. asks from Denton, TX
8 answers

My almost 7-year-old wants an American Girl doll for Christmas, and since they're so pricey, I'm hesitant to give her one--just afraid she won't take good care of it. Does anyone have any experience with the dolls? Are they easy to break? At what age did your daughters get them? Thanks in advance!

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L.B.

answers from Dallas on

You may want to start out with the "our generation" Dolls from Target that is very similiar in size as the American Girl dolls. (you can also check the reviews of parents that were in the same situation as you - (child too young and AG dolls expensive). They are not as expensive but still very very nice. If she does good with that she could advance to the next level. Also the clothes are interchangable between the two dolls.

We gave this to my 8 year old and she absolutely loved it. Besides I could afford to get the awesome assesories too so she had more than just a doll to play with.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Dallas on

I think seven would be a great age to start. My daughter just turned five, and my mom got her an american girl doll for her birthday. I was a little worried myself, but she has done really well with it. The doll's hair does seem to get knots in it very easily, which they do have a hair salon at the Dallas store to help with that, but I have had to help her brush it out a couple of times. She really loves this doll! So much, that I ordered her another one online for Christmas. We really enjoyed going to the store-we had lunch there and then helped her pick her new birthday doll. If you decide to order instead of driving to the store, right now they are doing free shipping and I think that ends at the end of the month. You can also enter the key code 153302 at the end of checkout to get $10 off you purchase. HTH!

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J.H.

answers from Amarillo on

If you have a special place the doll can (sleep) be put up when not playing with, and is told how special, I think she would have fun, but they are to be played with and not looked at on a shelf. If you saw their doll hospital, where they fix up dolls that have been pretty messed up, you'd see that they are really (played with) sometimes. I woujld say it is whether she has no rerspect for any of her other toys, and doesn'tseem to care if they get tore up would be a good indication if she is ready for this pricey doll.

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A.U.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter got one at age three, and she is now 5 and just starting to play with it. We got the one that looks like her..I think it's called "like me." Even though the doll is expensive, I think it is meant to be played with instead of sitting on a shelf. The dolls are designed for interactive play. We also read the AG chapter books to her at night. You can get from the library. Having stories about the doll/character make them even more interesting, because it helps them learn about history in a fun way. Also, you can find AG movies at library like: Kit, Molly, and Felicity. This will also add to your child's interest in the doll(s),so hide your wallet...Smart marketing on their part.!!
Blessings, A.

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T.O.

answers from Dallas on

I think 7 is a great age, and they have a store in Dallas and they can fix them if there's a need.

She'll be big before you know it. The time to play with dolls is now!

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S.T.

answers from Las Vegas on

My neice is a collector. She is 14.

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F.C.

answers from Tyler on

My daughter got an American Girl doll (Molly) from her Granma before she was 5. The doll was great - then, my daughter got her haircut and decided Molly needed one, too. Well, when she discovered that Molly's hair wouldn't grown back like hers would, she lost interest - but, other than the hair 'incident', Molly has held up well over the years (my daughter is now 27).

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M.D.

answers from Victoria on

my daughter got one for her 7th birthday and is getting her second one for christmas. She takes pretty good care of it. Because of the price, I told her if you doesnt keep up with the pieces and the doll- I would take it all away. We keep all the accessories in a plastic tub with a lid- seems to work ok. As for durability- they last forever. My 2 year old has thrown her down the stairs twice (my older one was in tears) but she held up fine to the fall. My neice is 21 and her AG is still hanging around here somewhere. We are sending her to the doll hospital to have her cleaned and like new again. (Yes, they really have one) I think it would be the right time for your daughter. good luck

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