How old should my daughter be before I give her an American Girl Doll?

Question

I'm a big Pleasant Company (now American Girl) fan and am pregnant with a little girl. I'm starting her collection of dolls now because a big collection of dolls and accessories is something I would have died for as a little girl. Even if she doesn't end up liking dolls, I will just keep them as a collector! Anyway, what is a good age to give them to her? The company says for ages 8+ but I'm pretty sure I could have enjoyed a doll like this sooner. I know every child is different but I'd like an idea of what age the average little girl can be responsible enough to keep a nice doll in fairly good condition and enjoy it as well. Thanks!

Answer 1

I got my first doll when I was 2, but it wasn't an American Girl Doll. It was one of those dolls with a soft body (plastic arms, plastic face, plastic legs but real hair) and I had it forever. I would give your daughter a doll like that first. I know for a fact that American Girl has dolls that aren't part of the main collection that are for younger children. Then as she grows older you can start introducing her to the collection, maybe at around age 6. Just know, that once you've given her the dolls and she 'mistreats' them, it will be near impossible to take them back, so be sure that she 'treats' them properly. I think age 8 is too old because as the pressure on young girls is increasing to act older she will most likely grow out of them quite quickly.

Good luck with your daughter!

Answer 2

congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!! u should wait to give the dolls to her wen she is 3 or 4 that way she can walk and talk alot and play with them and u noe she is having fun any younger they will play with anything rly lol

Answer 3

I like around 4-8 depending on how they take care of other dolls. Her is the trick, watch them take care of their other dolls. Do they toss them around of really try to take care of them. Based on that, decide when it's the right time. Make sure you explain to her it's an important doll that needs to be taken good care of.

My 4 year old sister moved up from a Bitty Baby (made my American Girl) to an American Girl Doll this year. Now my other sister whose 9 now, just got hers when she was 7. That's beause she's wild and probably would have cut the hair off it (she used to do that to Barbies).

Answer 4

i got my 1st when i was 7 and it still looks good!

Answer 5

I bought them for my daughters at the same time when they were 9, 7 and 5. The reason they say 8+ is because it is very easy for the heads to come off and then you have to send them in. Just explain the heads come off if the string is pulled and your daughter will be fine. I wouldn't go younger than 5-6, but you need to judge for yourself. Good Luck!

They do have the Bitty Baby dolls too and these are for younger girls!

Answer 6

If you want to give her one when she is 3 or 4 I would suggest the Bitty Babies or wait until 7 or 8 for American Girl doll.  Then they should be old enough to care for the dolls hair properly.

Answer 7

Nooo...don't do it!  I had Molly and Samantha myself from childhood and kept them in great condition.  Made the mistake of giving them to my 3 yr old and now their hair is completely tangled, they are naked and who knows where the clothes are, and they are dirty.  It depends on your kid I guess but my daughter doesn't take care of things like I do...so now I wish I'd waited.

Answer 8

it depends on ur daughters personality am 16 but if u hand me anything i'll destroy it in the same moment

Answer 9

5 or 6 but make sure you tell her they are special dolls and to be very careful with them.

little girls are pretty good about keeping things nice.

i'm 19 and i still have all my dolls and teddy bears and there still in great condition...

i gave my dolls to my 4 year old niece.

Answer 10

give it to her now

Answer 11

As soon as you know where all the markers.. and scissors are!! give her one of the bitty babies first.. they are more durable and as you notice her being more responsible give her a bigger one. If you teach her early on to respect her things and take care of them you won't have any problems. I would say as early as 3.. bitty baby when she is born!! As she grows you will know! Congrats on your new little princess.

Answer 12

Congrats! Probably 4+ because if you give it to her when shes smaller than the doll itself, what good will it do? But when she is 4 and she can understand you it would probably be nice to have a doll, and you could just talk to her about how to take care of it nicely. Hope I could help :)

Answer 13

give her one when ever you want =) its not up to the company. just make sure she doesnt chew off any bits and chokes! good luck with the birth! and congrats =)

Answer 14

21?

Answer 15

You can give Dolls of different types (initially soft with less colors) starting at age of 1 years itself... later as she grow you can give here more colorful and attractive.

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Answer 16

i got mine when i was 9 and its not bad

Answer 17

give her one now if you want to , the companies say that so your child wont choke on the small parts and they will not be at fault.

Answer 18

You will know the behavior and maturity level of your little girl better than us.  My daughter was an angel and I would have presented them to her probably at age 5.

Answer 19

I got mine when I was 5. And now I have 6. 5 Would be good if you tell her to be careful7don't give her clothing for the doll that she could choke on or anything. I loved playing with those dolls she will lvoe having one=]

hope this helped!

Answer 20

congrats ! A lot of it depends on the child. I say she can have a doll around 5 or 6. In the beginning you can show her how to take care of it nicely and watch her while she plays with her. I agree she can definatley enjoy it sooner.

Answer 21

First off, congrats on your baby girl :-D I used to love American Girl dolls when I was younger. I never had any of the dolls but I read the books like crazy. If you want the dolls kept in fairly decent shape I would probably say give them to her around age 4-5. By this time she'll be able to understand the concept of keeping the "dolly" nice and clean. I think any younger than that she may be apt to draw on it, or just not take care of it in general.

If you have them around her from the time she is little I think she will better understand what they are for as well. When I was little I had "Lissi Dolls." I loved them but they stayed on top of my tall dresser with their stands. I only played with them when they needed to be cleaned and hair brushed, etc. I still really enjoyed them. Keeping them displayed in her room would be a good idea. And just remind her that they are 'special' dolls, and she must take good care of them.

Good luck!

Answer 22

around that age is good but you can keep them in the box away from her and let her look at them and not touch at around age 5 as long as she understands that its a looking toy and not a playing toy...because i know up until i was like 10 i like to give my baby dolls a hair cut and stuff like that....so if you want her to be able to play with them i say you should wait till shes a little older and let her know that its a special doll

Answer 23

Depending on her ability to take care of her belongings, whether or not she still puts things in her mouth, and the actual make up of the doll, I'd say between 4 and 7. Seeing that these are supposted to be collectors dolls you want to be sure she isn't going to dmage them, or choke on any of the peices. As your daughter grows you will be able to gauge her readyness by watching her with her other toys.

Answer 24

I would say 5 is a good age. My daughter is 2 and really not that interested in dolls...I would love to have her 5th birthday party at the American Girl Store....I know I would have loved to have a doll like that as well when I was younger :(

Answer 25

If you are asking about the regular American Girl dolls (the historic ones) I would wait until 8 or 9.  The dolls are not designed for the type of 'doll play' that younger girls tend to engage in .. but, IME, most girls of the right age LOVE them.