American Girl Doll Pool Upgrade DIY - The Way AG SHOULD Have Made It

[@alwaysdolls]

What a great idea! Can't wait to try this with our DIY AG pool so the dolls can actually "swim" in the water ☀🤽🏻💦👍🏼👍🏼

[@agtakesover]

omg, I would LOVE to see YOU do this! You'd be much more precise than I was and I bet your results would be more uniform. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled with how mine turned out, but I always admire how precise you (and your tutorials) are :-)

[@AllycatlovesAG]

When I was at the AGP Orlando a few weeks ago, we noticed the pool and couldn't tell if it was new or not since the style was very similar to the old one as you pointed out. It just feels like a gymnastics mat. The spa set was displayed nearby where the bathtub had actual depth and from side angles it looked full of water due to the coloured sides. One of the first doll crafts I ever did was a doll pool with depth from a myfroggystuff tutorial, so it would have been so easy for AG to make a deep pool

[@agtakesover]

Yeah, several ppl have said, "maybe they didn't make it that way because they were afraid kids would try to fill it and a) ruin their dolls or b) safety hazard." But I'm not buying it. Like you said, the spa tub has depth and it has a drain. The hot tub in the Kidkraft dollhouse has depth and drains. If they wanted to make a pool dolls could get in...drains (or in this case, leave the mat exactly as it is. The water would easily run right out the edges and through the middle of the mat because it's two separate pieces.) I'll have to go back to the archives to find that myfroggystuff tutorial because now I'm interested to see it :-)

[@AllycatlovesAG]

@@agtakesover I don’t think the tutorial was intended for 18 inch dolls, but essentially you just cover a cardboard box in scrapbook paper. This was 9 years ago and she has made way more complex pools since

[@agtakesover]

@@AllycatlovesAG Well I'll have to look for *any* pool tutorials she's made then, just to satisfy my curiosity.

[@rebeccahoffman1938]

I was always under the impression AG designed it to look like an in-ground pool so I get why they did it this way. But it doesn’t seem to have much play value - yours is so much better! My daughter had no interest in the AG pool because she didn’t like the idea of the dolls just sitting on it. 😆 I saw a KZbin tutorial for a DIY pool that we used. We bent 2 pool noodles into circles, wrapped blue duct tape around each of them, glued together, and fabric for the bottom. I actually love it - it looks just like an inflatable pool. 🙂

[@agtakesover]

That pool noodle set-up sounds like a great option! And yeah...I get that they're going for an inground pool look. What I don't understand is why lol. Like you said - it lacks play value. And at that price point ...it needs play value.

[@Lavender_Aura_AG]

Great job! I’m so glad it works so well for your daughter, too :) I have this same set, and I actually really appreciate the way it was designed. To give it more of a sense of depth, I took two poster boards and covered them with “tile” stickers and then set the pool on top. I wanted to keep the inset design because it reminds me a ton of the pool I grew up with.

[@agtakesover]

The AG store in Columbus has done something similar with their display - they set the whole thing on a base that looked like stones. I just don't think the pool had near the play value at one inch deep that it had once I revamped it.

[@Lavender_Aura_AG]

@@agtakesover Yeah I think for adding play value it makes sense to add physical depth rather than visual depth :)

[@EvelynRoseAG]

Such a great tutorial! You just added SO much play value to that pool. I love how you showed your first attempt and what you learned from it. I don't plan on getting this pool since I don't have the space for these larger pieces but this was still so fun to watch ❤

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! And I will say that the ONE advantage AG's design has over this version is that it packs up very compactly and once you give it depth it does take up a lot more space. So maybe it's not for everyone. But I'd personally not own a pool at all than own one the dolls can't get in.

[@EvelynRoseAG]

@@agtakesover I completely agree! AG needs to take notes! ✍️

[@melangellperry5984]

I don’t have this pool and have no space for it. I always thought the original AG version looked stupid with dolls sitting on top of the water, not in the pool. Your version is sheer genius. Using cardboard is a great idea to make the walls sturdier.

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! I know a lot of ppl don't collect big ticket items for their dolls, but I hope this will help people who DO want the AG pool, just more...functional :-)

[@nerdyicy6614]

This is a great idea! I understand a deeper pool could lead younger kids to fill it with water, but that's not a huge concern. Parents and warning would be enough for the kid to eventually know better. I really wish this new pool was deep. Might get it and do this since I didn't get the other pool.

[@agtakesover]

The KidKraft dollhouse hot tub has depth - and drains. The spa they made has a bathtub with depth - and drains. All they need are some drains. And the current version has a mat that adheres with Velcro. It's actually two pieces and they Velcro together. So if they added depth but kept everything the same, water would gush out the sides and slip through the middle where the two halves join. I really don't understand why they designed it this way. I'm glad you like my take on it.

[@nerdyicy6614]

@@agtakesover Yes! I just don't understand why they did it so flat! And the way you're talking about would make it easier for storage too so there is no excuse

[@agitssocute]

Looks fantastic! Thanks for doing a tutorial…this is a necessity, the dolls need to be able to get IN the pool! 😂 The only other thing I would have liked to have seen is you taking apart the AG pool and then how you attached those pieces to your pool. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@agtakesover]

Taking apart the AG pool is a piece of cake. The mat on the bottom has velcro on it to attach to the 1in "deep" edging. And I wish I could've gotten good footage of putting the 7" tall long strip of posterboard in, but it would've made for horrible video lol. A lot of eyeballing, fumbling, putting it in partially, making pen marks on the posterboard to show where to cut out a bit to accommodate the underside of the AG pool edge...then repeating those steps over and over until I'd made my way around the entire perimeter. If you ever decide to try it, feel free to let me know. I'd gladly do a video chat with you if you got stuck :-)

[@agitssocute]

@@agtakesover that definitely sounds like a piece of cake. I didn’t realize that the two pieces were separate, but now I’m thinking duh 🙄 I should have known that 😂 For some reason I had it in my mind that the mat and edging were sealed together and would need to be cut apart. I have no idea why I was thinking that. I can completely relate to not being able to video certain things. You did a great job! AG could learn a thing or two from you! Thanks for taking the time to explain the process. I’m totally running out of space for big items in my doll room, but if I do decide to get the pool I want to give your project a whirl and thank you for offering to help 😃💕

[@paulettepalmer4860]

Came out really, really great! Too bad AG won't see this tutorial and get better ideas for their designs! Maybe, it was an issue of fearing child injury? Kid reaching over and falling on their head?😵 We'll never know. So nice of you to share!😊

[@fthurman]

I was imagining that the fear might be that a vessel that CAN contain water, particularly modeled after something that DOES, is likely to get confused. "Best case" scenerio, a kid soaks their doll and parent demands money back. "Worst"... well, it only takes a few inches to drown. I don't think AG will ever release a doll pool that could contain any actual water.

[@agtakesover]

But it's only 7 inches deep. I mean, look at some of the HUGE things they sell. You'd think they'd have been too worried about kids getting stuck in Joss's VW or trying to climb into the hot tub area of the KidKraft dollhouse...I really DO wish I knew what their reasoning was, though. And I'm glad you liked my version :-)

[@agtakesover]

@@fthurman And I don't think they SHOULD ever release a doll pool that could contain actual water. But they have a hot tub in the doll house...with drains. And a bathtub in the spa set...with drains. This AG pool has a base that comes in two pieces. It velcros together and velcros to the bottom of the 1-inch base. So any water would immediately gush out the sides and middle. That would be true if they made it 1 inch or 7 inches deep.

[@fthurman]

@@agtakesover oooh, I had no idea about the hot tub. Huh. Well that took it from "it sucks but sadly makes sense" to "I've no bloody idea!" lol

[@fthurman]

@@agtakesover I wish I could show you how I giggled at the idea of theoretical! imagined! child just bodily stuck in the VW van. I admit that I've no real idea about large items. I don't want them for the most part, and I'm not all that close to a store (one does not go to LA on accident or a whom) to see them for the most part. I do, I really do love your version, it's a huge improvement.

[@jojobee10]

Wow!!

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! I'm so glad you like it.

[@canadiandollcollector]

That’s exactly what I was thinking - the pool wasn’t functional. I LOVE your idea and glow up on the pool! AG should take notes 📝 ☺️

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! I know I'm not the only one to do something like this to the AG pool, but I wasn't sure if there were any tutorials around for it and it's certainly timely with the "new pool, same odd design" release lol.

[@nailahvenable7989]

I love your pool I always thought the AG pools were useless but I am rethinking the idea it now that i see yours. The only thing is I don't have the pool as a base so thinking of doing it with foam board, use a square shape also covered with the shelf liner. And maybe use a printable for the water still thinking it out but amazing idea. Thank You as usual. I also want to create a backyard scene using your foldable room tutorial. All plans for summer with the girls when they have grandma time. I hope by helping to make it they wont try to put water in LOL.

[@agtakesover]

You are most welcome - I'm glad you liked it. Apparently the channel @myfroggystuff has a tutorial for an AG doll-sized pool that dolls can get in. And I think @alwaysdolls has a tutorial for a pool similar to the one AG makes, so if you watched that you might be able to adapt it to add depth. Whatever you end up doing, I hope you'll let me know (or better yet, email me pictures - [e-mail])!

[@nailahvenable7989]

@@agtakesover I saw her pool for Barbie I am searching her site for the one for 18 inch dolls but I may be able to work it out myself ( fingers crossed)

[@superfundolls]

the ag pool is so bad that it’s become a huge inside joke between me and my friends lol. yours is so much better ag should take notes!

[@agtakesover]

Thanks so much! Too bad AG *won't* accept any customer suggestions. Ppl send in free ideas for products and improvements all the time and they have a standard "form letter" they send as a reply saying exactly that - we don't accept customer product ideas/suggestions. Like...why??

[@bernadettecheng6049]

You're so clever and talented, I love what you did. Thank you for being so gracious and kind to share your creativity with us. I'm going to try and make this. Sending you much gratitude

[@agtakesover]

Thank you so much! Good luck with this pool - It was totally worth it and I'm on my third summer with it, so it's standing the test of time so far.

[@agdollguy]

A brilliant idea. The AG pool was really sad tbh. I think the reason they made it to where the dolls can’t get into it is to try to keep kids from thinking about actually putting water in it and putting their dolls into the water. Also for a bonus entry in your 1000 subs giveaway

[@agtakesover]

I get that that may be the reason, but there's no way this pool would hold water. The bottom is two pieces that velcro in the middle, so there's a seam water would pour through. And it velcros all around the sides and there are gaps the water would gush right through. Also, I think about the KidKraft dollhouse and the Spa they currently sell. One has a hot tub and the other has a bathtub. Both have actual depth so they can get inside and the solution is a drain. They could have done that too - one or two big drains. Honestly, IDK why they insisted on this weird design. (also, bonus entry noted ;-)

[@AGJitters]

This looks so much better!! I love how you can actually play with it now

[@agtakesover]

Right?! Yesterday my wife sent me a screenshot from the agnews blog that was titled "Why the American Girl Pool is Useless" and the blurb below it said (note from Sydney: This post was originally posted in 2019 when the first AG Pool was released, but I decided to reprint it...). 💀💀

[@firecracker3911]

Looks fantastic!

[@agtakesover]

Thanks so much!

[@AGTV4Life]

Of course, I would start with your base design and mentioned you in my tutorials and add a link to your video as well since this clearly was not my idea you just inspired me to think about how I could do it without the AG pool.

[@agtakesover]

Yep - go for it :-)

[@MadelineWilson611]

I am here for your puns. Super cute and fun tutorial! I can totally picture H having a blast with this! :)

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! She picked the dolls who got to try out the new pool and of course Melody was one of her picks :-)

[@eliseelliot]

It looks great! You did a wonderful job of envisioning how to put the project together and then making it happen. Thanks for sharing this tutorial!

[@agtakesover]

Thanks - I was thinking if you found foam of the right thickness that could work, too. Might be more uniform. But I really like that this filler was free and involved recycling :-)

[@Sandy42800]

Your pool is much nicer! It’s not so easy to make, you are good at doing these crafts! 😃

[@agtakesover]

Thanks, Sandy! For better or worse, the DIYs I gravitate to are often large projects lol. I like *watching* all the food and small accessory tutorial videos, but a lot of the tutorials I *make* are kind of involved and big I guess.

[@KawaiiCat2]

Love the tutorial! Would love AG to make a collapsable pool. That way your dolls can float on top or swim inside!

[@agtakesover]

That would be SO cool. Good for storage *and* maximum play value. It would be genius!

[@KawaiiCat2]

@@agtakesover yes! Ag needs to make this pool a reality!

[@jeanne1271]

I started this video because I am totally going to make a pool over for my doll. Following exactly your diy, Thank you for a great idea ! This is also for a bonus entry ♥

[@agtakesover]

You're welcome! I would love to see your final product when you do it - you can always send pics to [e-mail] (also, bonus entry recorded)

[@JeanneCasanova-vn4hq]

Great job. I noticed that you have reached over 1,000 subscribers now. CONGRATULATIONS! 🎉

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! It felt like more of an accomplishment than I expected (the 1K subs, that is). I'm feeling very proud :-)

[@bethbacarella]

Beautiful job and almost no money spent - perfect! I have no room for anything like this, and I'm not a DIY gal, so I wouldn't attempt this myself, but I know a lot of people will enjoy doing exactly what you did to make their pool so much more functional. Thanks for sharing!

[@agtakesover]

Lordy, lately I'm wondering if *I* have room for this lol. (My older kiddo is coming home tomorrow for a month or two between apartments and I'm excited to have her home, but I'm feeling VERY overwhelmed at the thought of bringing a bed, desk, table, chairs, clothes, dog crate, etc. into the house. The stuff is temporary - and I have to keep telling myself that!) Anyway, I'm glad you liked it and I agree- it's not for everyone but hopefully it'll be super helpful to the folks who do want this :-)

[@bethbacarella]

@@agtakesover How lovely that she's coming home for a bit. Maybe you'll make more videos together? :) You're right - it's temporary and it will be good to enjoy her while she's there. :) Have fun!!

[@agtakesover]

@@bethbacarella Oh, I'm going to LOVE having her home. And she's moving even closer to home ! (also, I already have a video idea I'm going to run by her ;-)

[@bethbacarella]

@@agtakesover This is all wonderful!

[@lorrainemarliese5255]

Wow, that's a terrific upgrade, and the tutorial makes it look very do-able! Thanks so much for this, and congratulations on over 1k subscribers - you deserve many many more!! 🎉

[@agtakesover]

I'm glad you liked it - I really do wish AG would have designed their pool this way. And thank you so much re: 1K subs. It feels like a really big accomplishment :-) (plus now I get to do a giveaway!)

[@dolls4u541]

Very interesting alternative, but I must admit I love the original design 🥰. Thanks for the video though ✌️🤓.

[@agtakesover]

I'm glad someone loves the original design. I do think most people would prefer an option with more play value than the AG design, but obviously some ppl liked the original design or AG wouldn't have essentially done the exact same thing a second time.

[@dolls4u541]

@@agtakesover Hehehe right on that 😁🥰

[@allisonalvarez7329]

Omg you did such a good job giving the AG pool some depth! I'm totally going to try this sometime 😆

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! You should definitely come back and let me know if you do try it. I'd love to know how it goes!

[@pipersonnet]

This is so cute! I always loved playing with my barbies in the barbie pool as a kid so I especially love this because AG is more of my thing now! That AG pool was pretty sad at first, you really made it into an actual pool! It looks amazing, good job :) (This is a bonus entry [1/3] for your giveaway)

[@agtakesover]

Thanks so much - I'm way happier with this version of it :-)

[@joyshupak8386]

That is a great idea and video. I bought the old version when it came out and yes was very disappointed in it. This gives me hope for a fix up. Thanks for sharing!

[@agtakesover]

I'm so glad you'll be able to try something to turn a disappointment into something you may absolutely love!

[@iesbankston]

Great tutorial! Now I need to put either of the two pools on my wish list.

[@agtakesover]

I found mine very affordably on FB marketplace so hopefully you'll luck out!

[@iesbankston]

@@agtakesover I hope so too.

[@Flanuora]

I love what you did with the pool! So much better ❤

[@agtakesover]

Thanks. It won't collapse and store compactly now, but I just don't see the point of it otherwise. Plus, we keep it in the basement when not in use, so nbd.

[@AGTV4Life]

Thank you so much for doing this! You did a great job. I don’t have the AG Paul but I’m wondering if I could find some card stock that looks like water and perhaps if I laminate it, I can use it for the base of the pool. The next thing I’ll have to figure out is how to make the ladder. After seeing your pool, I want one myself since I have so much beach and swimming gear but don’t have a pool. 🥰 maybe I should consider filming what I make since I don’t have the AG set and if it comes out well enough to share, I can do a tutorial on it. What do you think?

[@agtakesover]

Do it! The more options people have, the better :-)

[@brutallyhonestdollreviews]

Much better. Thank you for showing (also in the facebook groups)

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! (and you're welcome) :-)

[@sidneyroo]

I love how this turned out! you could probably use similar steps to make a pool from scratch 👀 (this is a bonus entry for your giveaway!)

[@agtakesover]

Thanks - I think @AlwaysDolls has a tutorial to recreate the original version, so maybe our two tutorials could be used together. (and bonus entry noted)

[@Alexa_s_life.]

This is an amazing diy project.

[@agtakesover]

Thanks so much - I don't know that I would say it was necessarily *fun* to do lol, but I LOVE the result :-)

[@shirleydrake1602]

Hey girl, could you figure out a way to make Luciana’s space ship? I have asked several crafters, but no one wants to tackle it. I’m a thinker, but not that good at figuring it all out. I love your stuff! I watch every posting .

[@agtakesover]

Oof. I do understand why no one wants to tackle it. It's massive and intricate. And since we actually already own it, I'm even less motivated to make a DIY version. If I ever get hit with the desire to take on a huge DIY project to make something I don't need, though, I'll consider it ;-)

[@idreamofjonny]

Congrats on 1k subs! 💕

[@agtakesover]

Thanks so much!

[@abbiebaxter7142]

Awesome pool! My dolls would love this! This is for a bonus entry to your 1 K subscribers giveaway 0:01

[@agtakesover]

thanks :-)

[@rivercityminis]

Your pool is definitely worth the $110

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! And to think it only cost me about $35 (yay for FB Marketplace bargains and cheap DIYs)! But yes...I think a design like this would be much more worth what AG is charging.

[@noonyboon]

Got one of these today for $35 on market place and gonna make this happen.

[@agtakesover]

Yesssss!

[@agwonderstudio]

Love it 😍 🏊‍♀️

[@agtakesover]

Thanks! I want to display it right next to our OG ice cream truck because the combo just seems SO summery :-)

[@jennysmyth558]

I guess they wanted it to look like an in ground pool, but that's not going to be nearly as fun for kids.

[@agtakesover]

True. The Columbus store currently has it displayed on top of a contact paper that looks like stones to emphasize the inground-pool look..but I just don't see the play value.