Size doll for my boy?

[OTMomma]

I am contemplating making a doll for my son for his 3rd birthday and I'm pondering what size to make- it will be a waldorf style doll with sewn on arms. I made him a velour body doll with a sewn on hat for his first birthday that was about 12", and now want to do something more realistic.

I am thinking about how differently my son plays with everything from how his sister did at that age when I made her a 12" friend style doll. I know that most websites recommend a 12" size doll for this age, but I'm wondering if a 16" doll would be more appealing to be his buddy....

Any experience with the size doll your preschool age boy prefers is much appreciated!

[E.V. Lowi]

I'm not sure which sites you are referring to, but I think children of this age prefer larger dolls like the 16" Playmate. It is large enough to hug back! A larger doll is more of a reflection of the child's self.

The smaller dolls have a different type of play pattern that older children seem to enjoy- situational play where the doll is hand held and walked through pretend scenarios.

[KJoslyn78]

i made a 16" doll for my daughter for christmas the year she was 4... it seemed huge to me for her, but as E.V. mentioned, they love a doll that can hug back!! it's only been recently now that she wasnt a smaller baby doll (she'll be 7 in june)

[OTMomma]

Thank you! I was leaning towards a 16" so will do that.

[sweetpeppers]

I just made a 16". It seems like a nice sized doll.