Thursday, October 28, 2010

Too Old for Dolls?

Journey Girls from Toys R US
I read an interesting article this morning about children "growing out of dolls" at a much earlier age, some as early as age 7!!!  I couldn't believe this when I read it, but I have to agree that it's probably true.  Being in the doll business, I have noticed 9 - 11 year old girls will stop and oooh and aaah over the items, but most of the time they will not purchase.  I have had parents come up to me almost apologetically, to say their preteen is no longer interested in dolls.

I've been a doll "collector" since I was 37 years old (about 8 years or so).  As an adult I find that doll play is relaxing, stimulating (to my imagination) and fun.  It's an activity that I love to share with my daughter.  I love naming my dolls and creating personas for them!  No I'm not a nutcase, it's just something I enjoy doing and my daughter does as well!

So I'm wondering, what are your thoughts on this? How old is too old to play with dolls?  In the article, it says that companies like MGA, Disney and Toys R Us are creating more mature looking dolls (preteen/teen rather than baby/toddler) to appeal to 5 - 11 year olds.  Do you think mature looking dolls is the answer?  I'm really curious to know your thoughts!

If you would like to read the whole article please look here.

Love and Blessings!
Margaret

5 comments:

  1. Nice blog! I like dolls but i haven't collected any yet. Maybe i shd look into it. They're so cute :)


    Stay gorgeous!
    stylishedforever.blogspot.com

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  2. I have purchased a few 18" dolls and I love that there are multiple options out there for frugal people like me

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  3. I don't think we are ever too old to enjoy dolls. I don't collect them but if I did it would be the ones from my childhood.

    Have a great weekend!

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  4. I am 42 yrs old and I've been playing with dolls all my life. I started collecting Barbies in my 20s. In 1998ish I started making porcelain dolls and in 2003 made a business of it. I now have a doll business where I make nice furniture for Barbie sized dolls. I also make Barbie video stories that I post on YouTube. I love getting all the comments from the pre teen girls, who like dolls, but aren't sure if it is okay to still be playing with them. I had a 10 yr old send me an email and ask me if I thought it was strange that she was still playing with dolls. Broke my heart. They feel such pressure to put their dolls away. I told her that a person is never too old to play with dolls. I told her that we just start calling ourselves doll collectors which makes the rest of the world feel okay with it. There are over 100,000 adult doll collectors out there. I don't think the general public realizes that. There is a stigmatizm when preteens are still interested in dolls. Some of them are just looking for someone to say "it's okay". I want to be one of those people. Side note: I have an Electrical Engineering from Penn State University and I worked in that field for over 12 yrs. I now do dolls full time and I am happier than I have ever been.

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