Dolls for primary school age

[herecomesthsun]

I am wondering about getting my daughter a doll to dress up in school clothes etc as she has just started reception. So far we have a baby Stella with various bits.

I like the Gotz Hannah, but it's quite expensive and it is likely to be loved with enthusiasm, I am wondering whether it would make more sense to get a less expensive one like the Argos/ Chad Valley/ Toys R us ones? And whether anyone with slightly older dds would have any suggestions?

My dd (6) has been asking for a 'my generation' doll from argos for aaages. Think its Chad Valley. She's into changing outfits and doing the hair. I bought one last week as it was on offer and the presentation box is very wow factor and the doll comes with accessories.

We have Gotz Hannah,another Gotz same size doll,A Girl For All Time Amelia and some Corolle Les Cheries.

Did had friends with the Argos one and the hair frizzed v quickly,think they're fabric body too. All dd's dolls are still in mint condition and she has put them through all sorts particularly making casts and other medical emergencies,outlandish hair styles etc.Dd is 12 at Christmas and still loves them. There are a lot of things you can get for that size doll now. We have the Our Generation kitchen and wheelchair( both big hits), the Argos sofa set etc.

Frilly Lilly do school things but look on Petalina there are loads of dolls all good quality. Worth every penny imvho. Dd had her dolls as joint presents from everybody. Our Generation has a good site for accessories but Google for prices.

Girl For All Time not so robust. Amelia's hair looks like a haystack.

Our Generation is American,Argos is Design a Friend. Depends what you want. If you want it to last a while go for Gotz etc,if not OG would be better quality then Argos.

Gotz etc clothes are pricey but there are lots of sites selling cheaper clothes that fit.

If it was me I'd get a pricier doll and cheaper accessories( they all fit pretty much the same dolls). Just seen a Design a Friend dolls house,that will sell out pdq imvho.

We had Baby Stella.

Check out Lottie dolls. And the new Sindy Dolls.

I bought DD a Lottie doll that is in school uniform, think its called school days lottie. There are a few outfits you can get to go with it too.

Being picky I guess but the Our Generation dolls don't have such nice faces I think (though I do think the Chad Valley Meredith is sweet looking).

I think Lottie is a bit smaller (and also I would ideally like a doll with blue eyes and blonde/ish hair a bit like my daughter, who has dark blonde curls).

I suspect that non-curly hair might be easier to manage in dolls, as well as real life, however.

So Gotz still looking good. How does Hannah compare with Jessica who is about £30 cheaper? Do all the Hannahs have bendy arms and legs and do little girls get much play value out of that?

Jessica has a cloth body,maybe slightly smaller so harder to get clothes( you'd need to double check).

DD has the Argos Designerfriends one. She likes it, but she doesn't actually play much so she doesn't demand much of it. The main negative is it doesn't stand unsupported, whereas I think the more expensive ones might do.

The outfits and accessories can really add up, even if you get them on ebay. We got the cheaper doll and several outfits, rather than more expensive doll and fewer outfits.