American Girl Dolls - Pittsburgh,PA

It depends on the child but I wouldn't buy my 9 yr old a 129$ doll.
Thats just too much , there are a line of dolls at Target that look very similar to the american girl dolls, with the AG you are paying for the name, that's about it.
The ones at Target aren't nearly the price. Also you can still buy cabbage patch dolls, why not get her one of those , they stil have the soft bodies so she could sleep with it if she wanted to.

3 1/2 is way too young. My 8 and 10 yr old daughters LOVE their AG dolls, but really, it's only been in the last YEAR that they really had any interest in them. Now they're like part of the family (yeah, I sometimes have to babysit my "granddaughters" when my girls have to go do something that doesn't include their dolls). They're referred to by name, get tucked into bed every night, etc. So I'm glad we got them the dolls (for VERY special occasions like Christmas or B'day), but I'm also glad we waited until the girls were much older.

Also, if you do eventually get her an AG doll, spend the $$ on the doll, but get the clothes, accessories and EVERYTHING else on eBay or at Target, NOT through the AG store (waaaaay too expensive!).

Lots of moms will say that any doll is the same - but that's not true. An American Girl Doll is quite special (kind of like getting that first Tiffany's box.... if you've never opened one, then any jewelry is OK. But once you've opened it... you know there is no substitute).

The appeal is an almost cult-like love!!!! I think the biggest draw is that it looks like them and they have outfits that match for your kid. My daughter got one for her 4th b'day (we did the dinner at the American Girl store and it was absolutely the most fabulous experience - I can give you more details if you want).

Anyway - my daughter is 11 and STILL pulls hers out from time to time (also we did NOT get the bitty baby, at 4 my daughter was done with babies too and wanted the big girl doll). She had a couple other dolls (A Laura Ashley doll as well as a Target knock-off) and she always preferred the American Girl doll.

Also - when she gets older there are TONS of books and movies that are absolutely PHENOMENAL! Stuff about your body and peer pressure. They give great advice and the movies are VERY appropriate and always have a lesson and way to 'fix' your problem that is good advice.

UPDATED TO ADD: As I said, my daughter got hers at 4 and NEVER wrote on or harmed her doll. But, my daughter didn't write on ANY of her toys.... so I guess if you have a destructive kid or one who doesn't understand not to use marker on her toys... then yes you probably don't want to spend money on toys.
The bitty babies are for ages 3+ and they are the same construction etc as the "My American Girl" dolls, so really it just depends on the girl. The older ones say 8+ only because the clothing starts at a size 6 and I would say most girls are into baby dolls until they are older. However, if you want your daughter and doll to be matched in the same clothes there are separates that you can get a 4 - my daughter got jeans and the American Girl sweatshirt (just like the doll) and I think a swimsuit.

Plus - shopping for the doll and stuff is an "event" something that you can make a day and go together. My daughter and I still go in there an look around the store and it's just a lovely experience. They've moved into Water Tower and have several floors and you can spend time just browsing and talking with your daughter.

They aren't worth it, unless you want to get into spending TONS of money on a doll and her clothes and accessories. You can buy really nice dolls at Target that look like L. girls (I forget the brand) but they are adorable and about a fourth the price. They also have way cheaper accessories...beds, chairs, horses, etc...for this size doll. You're paying for a trend and a name...what does a young child care about that? Nothing. Don't start a materialistic trend in your toddler...go to Target and get her one of those dolls. My daughter has one.

It seems like the majority opininon is that she is too young and sorry to say I agree. My daughter's ages 5 and 7 want one especially the seven year old. I told her when she is 10 if she still wants it I will get it for her this year I am getting the knock off from Target and we will work with that. Last year my seven year old had to had to had to have a monster hight clawdeen wolf doll for christmas. Well this doll was sold out everywhere, so I went on e-bay and purchased it for $35.00 the doll retails anywhere from $12-$15 bucks. All of January/Feb/March she carried this doll around with her and her opening the gift was priceless but today that doll is naked in her doll storage bin along with Barbie, Frankie-stein, Bratz dolls, etc. $35.00 I could deal with that $100.00 plus I can't deal so until she is older and understands the value I just can't do it. I would urge you to get the knock off and see how she does. Good luck.

I am obviously in the minority here when I say that I think that American Girl Dolls are FABULOUS! They are well made, beautiful collectibles and come with amazing stories about morals, values, ethics and kindness. The books, videos and magazine are added bonus. The address real life issues like bullying, disabilities and environmental topics. They are expensive, however when your daughter is ready for them, they can be one of the best purchases.

That being said, 3 is WAY too young for one. We got my daughter her first one on her fifth birthday. We bought her Emily, who is a L. girl who comes from London to live in the US while WWII is going on. We bought it because a month later we were moving to London, Emily came with amazing stories about England. My daughter is now 6 and has taken wonderful care of her AG doll. She changes her into pj's every night and puts her to bed. She even puts her in my bedroom when a lot of kids are coming over so no one will ruin her.

If you want to invest in the AG doll I say go for it, but wait a bit for your daughter to show you true interest in them.

Makes no sense at all. If the stuff were worth that kind of money, you wouldn't be able to let her play with it for fear of it losing it's resale value.

My girls are 3.5 and 6.5. My MIL bought each of them a Bitty Baby for their 3rd b-day and she buys them the "Big Girl" American Girl Doll when they turn 6. So, my older daughter has the big girl and my youngest doesn't. This causes a problem because of course L. sis wants to play with the doll. I think the dolls are very nice and very well made, but I wouldn't have paid that much for a doll if they hadn't been gifts. The My Generation dolls at Target look very similar. I buy clothes for ours at craft shows because the AG clothes are SO pricey (more than I spend on my kids clothes!) So, for your daughter, I'd go with the knock off at this point. She can always get a real AG when she's older if she's still into it!

I think your daughter is too young for American Girl, mostly because of what you said - they're ridiculously expensive!!! If she wants one that looks like a L. girl Target and AC Moore carry knock offs of AG. Other places might also. My girls got their first AG dolls last Christmas when they were 9 and 7. My now 10 year old LOVES her AG's, and she is old enough to take care of them. They are beautiful dolls, ones that I think my girls will have forever. But definitely wait until your daughter is old enough not to throw her doll in a bin when she's done playing. My girls "lovingly" put their dolls to bed (in a trundle I bought from Target NOT American Girls!) each night - lol!

Your daughter is way too young for an American Girl doll. They say age 8, and I think it's a good guideline. They are more like collectibles, and each doll has a story with special accessories just for her. They also have books that tell their stories, all of which cover either a certain time in history or a part of the population not normally discussed (bad neighborhood in Chicago, Hawaiian girl). It's a very pricey but rather valuable world for older girls who can read their stories and have history come to life, and take good care of them.

So... check out the ones at Target, My Generation I think. it's similar, but you get way more for your money -- $30 gets you a doll, a book and an array of accessories. So you won't mind so much when her hair gets matted or her neck comes loose or she gets pen marks on her skin.

They quality but at 3 years old she will distroy it. They have a good knock off at toys r us.

Personaly I don't see the point in them. They are a doll!! That's it, a doll. there is no way I would ever spend the money on them or thier accessories!! There are so many other types of dolls out there that Im sure are just as good and have just as many other things to go with them with out the hefty price tag! No matter the age of the girl, I would not spend the money, expecally on a 3.5 yr old that doesn't know what kind of doll it is ( name brand) compaired to a less expesive doll that either way will not last more than a few years the way small children play with toys.

are you talking about the baby doll or the big $100 one?

the baby doll is very nicely made, and if your daughter doesnt care about it "doing" anything, and you dont mind $50, it is cute. we made it a big deal, and my 3 year old takes care of that doll differently than her others. but its still just a baby doll. we only bought one outfit, but the accessories are def not worth the $$$. if she likes taking care of the doll, get the baby doll. or you might consider a toddler doll, they are $50 separately at the store.

if you are taking about the $100 dolls, your daughter is way too young. they market them to 8+ year olds, and the characters are about 10 years old. the outfits and accessories are completely overpriced, but the doll really is special. and its not just about the doll. the books give you a character. my 6 year old sat through the whole kanani book in one night(no pics, chapter book). its neat that each doll has a different personality. the other dolls that arent characters are cute because you can get one that looks like you, down to braces or wheelchairs. you can get them in outfits of your favorite things to do, its just amazing, but expensive.

we got our 6 year old kanani, the girl of the year, for her birthday. she was looking at the magazine at 5. we bought just one extra outfit. you can get the dollie and me outfits all the time on zulily. micheals has doll beds that look just like the AG ones. you dont have to go crazy.

i would strongly caution against getting the doll too young, i think 6 was perfect. otherwise, they dont cherish or have it to look forward to, and they dont understand how special it is. it would be cute to get the baby now, to kinda work up to the big one when she is older. or just wait and get a cheaper baby doll. and if she likes baby dolls, she may never like the big AG dolls, they are a friend, not a baby. good luck, my daughters kanani still has her hair ok(i really tried to steer her towards picking a straight haired one, but it didnt work)

Michael's has similar dolls for less, and also has accessories. Target also sells "girl" dolls vs the baby dolls. I would consider one of those for a 3 yr old. I would be livid if I spent $100 on a doll and my 3 yr old drew on her face.

The appeal is the name brand, the quality (SD had a few and they do hold up) and the whole schpeal of the books and accessories. Cute sells.

3.5 is way to young for an AG doll. She will ruin it. Go cheap!

At 3 there is no appeal except that it is pretty doll. At 6 and 7 they start reading the American Girl books then want "that" doll.
I have the Laura and Mary dolls from L. House on the Prairie, had to be those dolls, I also bought them myself.

Both my girls have AMerican Girl dolls. My ML is a fantastic seamstrss and makes the same outfits you can buy and we have gotten matching dresses from craft fairs.

They got the dolls at 6-7. My son actually got Molly at 7 then he gifted her to my daughter when she was 7. THe L. one got Kit when she was 6. THey have devoured the books many times over.

Now she wont' care what you get her. I would wait and save for one of them. I had Chrissy, my sister had Velvet, we both still have them. Both of these dolls are in toy museums. That was cool to see.

Just wanted to add....There is now a doll called hearts for hearts girls. They sell them at Target. A portion of the money from these dolls is given to girls in need. They are reasonably priced, I think $35-40. My daughter (8yo) has asked for Am. Girls dolls, but she is not a "doll girl", so I refused to spend the money. Now she is asking for thses, and likes that the money helps girls. They are very similar to Am. Girls. They have a story, etc. Funny that my younger daughter (5yo), who is a "doll girl" has never asked! Sorry if this is a repeat of another post. I didn't have time to read them all!

My daughter got a cheaper look a like doll at Walmart for Christmas. She was 6. She saw the American Girl Doll, wanted one some day and to her this doll was the American Girl Doll. She doesn't know the difference. It's sturdy and looks more costly than it is. The one thing about them is that they're not going to be as soft and "huggable" as a baby doll as they're stiffer. They'll be harder to fit into a stroller and such since they have long legs that don't bend at the knees. But you can get less expensive outfits to go with the doll. My daughter loves her that she got from her aunt and even named it after her, lol. Rhonda Lynn. She says it as if it's one word though but it's very cute. She's about to turn 7 and she loves her. I say, go for the cheaper doll! Why buy the name? Your daughter will never know the difference.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

I was going to send you to Target :) I have a son but when I saw the dolls at Target I secretly hoped for a girl next time so I can buy her dolls like that.

I think that American Girl Dolls might be worth it when she is older and has a favorite character from the AMerican Girls books. Other than that, it is cool for her to have a doll that looks like her, but I am sure you can find some for much less, unless she has a very unique color combination for her skin, hair, and eyes.

Buy her the Target version for $20. I don't see ANY reason to buy a $100 doll for a 3 year old. My daughter got the Target doll (looks just like American Girl) for her birthday from a friend and was able to use her allowance to buy a trunk full of clothes for it from Target also. They sell doll clothes just about everywhere for that size doll, so you can find them cheap. They may not be "name brand", but your 3 year old won't know the difference! I'm sure she will love it!