The LOL doll age range is a bit of a sensitive issue. Read reviews from some moms and their 3 year olds love LOL Surprise dolls.
But…
Early packaging often reads 4 and up but the latest packaging reads 5 and above.
So what is the right lol doll age range?
Our simple answer: LOL Surprise dolls are appropriate for children ages 5 and up.
LOL Doll Age Range: 5+
LOL dolls are perfect for little ones 5 and up. Children over 5 “get” the concept of LOL dolls, have the fine and gross motor skills to effectively play with them, and are unlikely to put the dolls in their mouths.
By waiting until your child is 5 to buy them LOL dolls, you’ll save yourself a lot of frustration monitoring their play to ensure it is safe AND you’ll make sure your hard earned money is well spent.
LOL Doll Age Range: Not for Under 5s
LOL dolls are not for children under 5. Many people think the cute dolls are perfect for little girls just starting to like fashion and colors. However, LOL dolls aren’t really designed or constructed for that age group.
LOL dolls have lots of small, delicate pieces. We’ll get into the health risks later, but from a developmental standpoint, LOL dolls are not suited to the abilities of under 5s.
First, there is opening the ball. Little ones have to be able to find the plastic zipper and rip through it properly. Series 3 and 4 LOL Surprise dolls also have complicated unboxing with the ball itself. While an under 5 may get a treat from watching you open the surprise ball, the real excitement comes from them doing it themselves.
Once the ball and surprise bags are opened and everything is out, there’s dressing and playing with the LOL doll. The plastic used for the tiny shirts and outfits is not especially durable, so it can easily be ripped through by small, excited (and not really coordinated) hands. The shoes…oh, the shoes! They are small and difficult for even adults to slide on those tiny doll feet. Imagine the frustration your little one will face.
Simply put, most under 5s do not have the fine or gross motor skills to effectively play with LOL dolls. Even if they do, there are still the health risks…
Dangers of Giving to Children Below LOL Doll Age Range
In most cases, toymakers offer age ranges for their toys in order to keep your child safe. While a child may seem developmental ready for certain toys, these toys haven’t been designed or tested for lower ages. For LOL dolls in particular, there are health dangers associated with giving them to children below the age of 5:
- Choking hazards: All the LOL doll parts are small and can be easily swallowed by children that still put things in their mouths. WebMD provides great advice on how to know if a toy is a choking hazard…it can fit inside a toilet paper roll.
- Other hole hazards: This risk may seem funny, until you have to take your 4 year old to the emergency room because he got an LOL doll shoe lodged inside his ear (TRUE STORY!).
- Poking hazards: Man those LOL doll hands are sharp…especially if put in little eyes.
After unwrapping an LOL ball, be sure to pick up all the plastic packaging so your little one doesn’t think it might be fun to chew.
Some LOL Products Have Specific Hazards to Consider
- The LOL Surprise Foldable Kick Scooter should only be ridden with appropriate safety gear, including helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads.
- LOL Surprise House should really be secured to the floor or connected to the wall with safety straps.
- LOL Surprise Interactive Pets contain LR44 button battery cells that present a significant risk to children under 5. Swallowing button battery cells can cause internal injuries or death because of the electrical current triggered by saliva (not the chemical inside them). These batteries are also very difficult to remove from ears and noses as well.
Most importantly, never, EVER buy fake LOL doll products. They are often made with chemicals that are extremely harmful to young reproductive systems. Read our full discussion of the dangers of fake LOL dolls.
