Talk to me about dolls....

[frogswimming]

What ages like what dolls?

How old for Barbie / our generation / sylvanian families?

What other dolls are there?

Which have the best dolls houses?

We got a Lottie doll for my DD as it is a more realistic shape. My thread on what to get her for Christmas seems to be full of recommendations to get her more Lottie dolls and accessories.

My dd is nearly 10 and still likes playing with dolls (she like the big 18inch ones and has never liked barbies) but has told me she doesn't want a new one this year - most years she has had a new one each christmas to add to her collection.

My niece originally got our generation when she was about 4, but never seemed to play with it although her interest came back around 7 and she had new dolls and sets from them until recently she’s 10. She loved barbie from a young age, and my other niece is two and loves playing with barbie dolls, whilst her twin loves playing with baby dolls and does like older sisters our gen. dolls.

For houses to go with I’d say sylvanian families if the child is younger as the figures are easier to handle for them. My eldest niece had this from about 3 and played with it until about 7 and i know she used to love collecting the figures and different sets they had. The our. Gen vehicles and room sets are good; I know smyths have a train cabin at the moment that is reduced.

I’m not sure the barbie mansions are worth the money the £200+ ones, you can get other variations. I probably wouldn’t get this yet if your child is only just being introduced to barbie in case they’re not into it, they do lots of variations of houses including fold up ones that could be a good starters.

It really depends on the interest from your child but it’s just bearing in mind that with some of the brands they may grow into elements of it as they get older I think the nice thing about that is that they build a collection and it also makes them easier to buy for in the future.

Our DD adored Baby Annabelle from ages 2 to 6. She then moved onto barbies and sylvanian families.

DDs are 7&9.
We first got Barbies and similar when they were nearly 3&4. (Some people can be funny about them, but the majority of toys are not 'realistic shapes'. Interest is now waning. Tbey enjoyed the house, cars etc.
DD2 gother 'proper' doll for her sixth birthday. Perfect age. Loves getting new stuff for her.

We still have a couple of baby dolls and they get played with, put probably wouldn't if we had more of the My Gen style dolls.

My two are 5 and 7 and are really into the bigger dolls. Our generation and designafriend are the favourites.

We also have a lot of barbies that they dip in and out of .