Pick a shop within the American Girl store according to age range. Search for the Bitty Baby doll or the Bitty Twins if you have a 3 year old. For those who are 8 years old and up, browse for the Historical Characters, including Kaya, Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Kit and Molly. American Girl has every kind of 18-inch doll available to match your hair and eye color and skin tone.
Shop for clothes for your doll, whether they're modern or historical. Choose clothes for the doll to match her era. For instance, shop for clothes from 1764, 1854 or 1974. Your daughter can also pick outfits for herself to dress like her new doll.
Find some accessories. Add a toy dog or a horse as an additional companion for your child and her doll. Or, you can buy different shoes and socks to match your doll's outfit, hair care items such as a doll styling center and luggage to store your doll and her accessories. Choose a desk, tables and chairs to add a real-life touch to your doll's setting.
Search for some bath and beauty products for your girl. She may like the strawberries and cream fragrance bag that includes shower gel, body lotion and lip balm, or she can choose a hair care kit that includes vanilla-scented shampoo and conditioner. A lot of these products can also be found at Bath & Body Works stores.
Look for books, games and puzzles for your daughter. Read stories from the past that provide life lessons, or get advice on taking care of the whole self, including mental, physical and emotional health. Let your daughter play with word games, learn crafts and more with activity kits.