American Girl Just Released a New Plush Doll, and It’s Perfect for Toddlers

American Girl just released a new collection of dolls that’s perfect for younger kiddos. The My First American Girl Heritage Doll collection reimagines the classic American Girl dolls as soft, 13.5-inch plush dolls. The cuddly dolls with yarn hair are the perfect starter doll for children ages 18 months and up, and each doll comes with an age-appropriate board book version of the doll’s story.

First released by the Pleasant Company in 1986, American Girl dolls have been delighting generations of girls for the past forty years, myself included. When I had my second child, Hazel, I couldn’t wait to share my collection with her, but I knew it was too early to introduce her to American Girl. The precious doll (a Samantha) and her clothes and accessories were better suited for an older child, not a baby or toddler, so I kept them safely stowed away until she got older. Now even the youngest kiddos can learn to love American Girl, giving moms like me a new way to share a little joy from our childhood.

The Heritage Doll collection features five of the American Girl Dolls — Molly, Samantha, Addy, Kirsten, and Josefina. The doll’s sewn-on outfits mirror their original looks, but the plush doll is huggable, lovable, and durable enough for little ones.

Retailing for $65, the Heritage Dolls would be a thoughtful gift. My daughter is 7 now, so she’s old enough for the real deal, and she absolutely adores her Truly Me American Girl doll and my Samantha; but I was delighted to see that she loves the plush Molly doll just as well. While the other dolls sit on a shelf, all dolled up, her Heritage Doll is the perfect buddy to cuddle with at bedtime.

Buy it: My First American Girl Heritage Doll, $65 from American Girl