Traditional American Girl Dolls are for kids ages 6 and up, with small parts and a face and hair that needs some gentle care. However, the brand just launched a line of five knit plush dolls with matching board books for ages 18 months and up. It's two wishes come true: A nostalgic return of some classic, original American Girls and a line of products for the littlest kids.
The plush collection features the first original American Girl dolls
American Girl My First Kirsten Doll & Board Book
The plush dolls are billed as "My First" such as "My First Kirsten" and "My First Samantha." They're from the original line of historical figures, and they're available on available on Amazon and at AmericanGirl.com. The dolls are 13.5-inch plush dolls dressed permanently in toddler-appropriate versions of their traditional outfits. We got Kirsten, shown, in our offices and she's adorable.
The five iconic historical American Girls are: Samantha Parkington from New York City in 1904, Addy Walker from Philadelphia in 1864, Josefina Montoya from New Mexico in 1824, Kirsten Larson from Minnesota in 1854, and Molly McIntire from a fictional Illinois town called Jefferson in 1944.
Each doll costs $65, which might seem steep for a plush doll, but maybe not too surprising from the brand—(American Girl shoppers know that their classic 18-inch dolls typically cost $145).
American Girl My First Molly Doll & Board Book
American Girl My First Josefina Doll & Board Book
American Girl My First Samantha Doll & Board Book
Each doll comes with her own board book
Each of the five dolls comes with a board book edition of her story. We looked through Kirsten's, and though it's a majorly abridged version, the drawings are sweet. It's meant to be an introduction to history and a first look at how families lived 100 or even 200 years ago.
The quality seems on par with American Girl standards
Summer, American Girl's 2025 Girl of the Year, won a spot in our most recent Best Toy Awards. There we noted how much we appreciated the brand's positive messaging as well as the attention to details including the doll's hair and accessories.
Like the classic dolls, the new line of plush dolls also demonstrate thoughtful design, but the plush versions are smaller and more robust. The hair is yarn, the clothes stay on, and accessories like shoes and ribbons are sewn to their bodies. Their smiling faces are embroidered, and they're less expensive than the more precious big-girl dolls. They're cuddly friends, and probably collectibles for all of us adults who had one in our youth.
All in all, they're looking like a hot toy for the holiday season.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
