My 8 year old would like an American Girl Today doll and I am wondering if they are really worth the $$? How do they compare to the much less expensive 18" dolls you can buy at Target or Michaels?

By My2girlygirls on Thursday, November 3, 2005 - 09:16 pm:

I can say that the one we bought at Target hasn't held up well. Her hair quickly became an uncontrollable rat's nest. I think if I were to buy another doll, I would go with American Girl. My dd has one of the A.G. Hopscotch Hill dolls and it has really held up nicely! I certainly think that at 8 years old she can take good care of it and be responsible enough.

By Tink on Thursday, November 3, 2005 - 10:10 pm:

We are getting an American Girl doll for my 8yo dd this Christmas. My younger sister got one about 10 years ago, played with it so hard, and it is still in excellent shape. My dd has been reading the books and I think that they are pricey but, in this case, you get what you pay for.

By Bea on Thursday, November 3, 2005 - 10:57 pm:

We bought one for Nichole last Christmas. I think the dolls are worth the money. You can find less expensive clothing for them on Ebay.

By Colette on Friday, November 4, 2005 - 06:15 am:

You can also find clothing that fits them at craft stores. I bought my dd a fairy halloween costume for hers at a craft store for about $4.

By Dawnk777 on Friday, November 4, 2005 - 09:20 am:

If you live in WI, there is an American Girl doll sale in the summer, that raises money for a children's museum. It's an insane thing to go to, since it's very crowded. Anyway, that is where my sister bought my girls' American Girl Dolls. She has also gotten some of the accessories at the summer sale. My girls have Molly and Addy. If I ever got one, I would want Kirsten. I think Sarah was about 8 and Emily was about 6, when they got their dolls. They don't play with them much now, but they have in years past. They have read all of the American Girl doll books, since our library has them.

By Tayjar on Friday, November 4, 2005 - 09:43 am:

We have 7 or 8 of them and are getting 2 more for Christmas. They hold up very well and are worth the money. As for the clothing, I wouldn't buy alot of the outfits through American Girl doll. I buy them at craft sales and online. I buy the furniture online or at Target or someplace like that.

And, Dawn, that huge sale is where we get most of our dolls. Can't beat the prices since the dolls are almost half-price. I even bought my DD's Christmas dress there last year. Regularly $78 on sale for $8. If we go next summer, I'll let you know and we can meet up. It's only about 3 hours from my house.

My DD and her friends play with their American Girl dolls constantly. She's even having a party on November 29th for the AG mocie that is on. And, of course, dolls are more than welcome to attend.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, November 4, 2005 - 09:57 am:

My co-worker has a 10 y/o DD who has been collecting American Girl dolls for about 4 years. They also visited friends in Wisconsin 2 summers ago and took the girls to the American Girl Museum.

By Kate on Friday, November 4, 2005 - 10:37 am:

I can't understand why the movie is on November 29th. It's a SCHOOL night! It should be the Thanksgiving weekend so kids can stay up late and even have a slumber party/Felicity party. Wasn't Samantha on first during a school night, and then repeated during Thanksgiving vacation? I can't remember....

Anyway, it would be a lot more fun if it was not on a school night. My DD will get to stay up and watch it, but certainly no friends would be allowed to come as none of their parents would allow such an activity on a school night.

By Tayjar on Friday, November 4, 2005 - 11:38 am:

I don't know where you live Kate but here the movie starts at 7:00. And it's over by 9. Since most of the girls that are coming are in 4th and 5th grade, most of them are used to staying up that late. In fact, most of them are missing a dance class that goes until 8:30 on that night anyway. It's an advanced class that's only offered at that time.

We did the same thing for Samantha. I do know they showed Samantha again at a later date. They also sold the DVD shortly after it showed. And of course, we bought it and had the slumber party to watch it again. We had AGs out the ying yang at our house. You should have seen the breakfast table

Typically, DD isn't allowed to have friends over through the week but this is an exception. Kinda like trick or treating.

By Janet on Monday, November 7, 2005 - 12:42 pm:

Both of my dds have AG dolls, and love them. However! If your dd loves to style hair, be sure she understands that the dolls do not have real hair, and it will quickly become ruined, as Sarah said in her post. My older dd had no problem, but my younger one (10) has destroyed one of her doll's hair with water, hairspray and a regular brush. She learned her lesson and has taken care of her other AG doll. There are special hairbrushes you can buy for them that are easier on the hair.
We've sent a couple of our dolls to the AG doll hospital, too (a Bitty Baby and a full size doll) for minor repairs, and they come back in a hospital gown and a "Get Well Soon" balloon..it's cute! Guess I love the dolls almost more than my dds do! LOL

By Mommyof5 on Monday, November 7, 2005 - 01:32 pm:

Thanks! I have ordered Marisol for my 8 year old and I am thinking about getting one of the Hopscotch Hill dolls for my 6 year old.
Janet,

Do the dolls come with brushes or do I need to order them seperately?

By Tayjar on Monday, November 7, 2005 - 02:43 pm:

Well, I'm not Janet but I can answer you. You need to order the brushes separately. I think they are like $8 or so.

By Colette on Monday, November 7, 2005 - 09:26 pm:

or you can just buy a wig brush.