Visit the toy aisles today and you will see dazzling purple and pink displays dappled with sparkles – and decidedly darker aisles dappled with weapons. The difference between “boy” toys and “girl” toys seems never to have been more obvious – or more ludicrous. There is the “Red Giant Slash” action figure from the Fisher-Price Planet Heroes Voice Comm line for three to eight-year-olds. The red-faced figure aims a huge missile-launcher and even says the words, “Fire up the neutrino ray!” Not sure what that means, but I’m sure there are plenty of three-year-old boys who do. For two-years and up, Fisher-Price also has a Snap ‘n Style line of toys, including a pink fashion wardrobe and a variety of outfits for a little pink doll. You can buy the whole bundle for $50. Yes, that did say for 2-year-olds. Not 12-year-olds. You can buy Pastel Edition Scrabble, Pink Boutique Monopoly or Twister Pink. You can even buy girl or boy versions of popular handheld video games – if you go in for that sort of thing.
When I was little I rode a basic blue, yellow and red Big Wheel. It went fast and it was fun. And it was inclusive. No one got teased by kids in the neighborhood because this ride-on toy was the wrong color. We could pass it on to younger siblings of any gender and really get our money’s worth. Marketers push the gender specific toys because it’ll force you to buy more. From scooters, to balls, to Play-doh creativity centers – you can buy the “girl version”, the “boy version” or the gender-neutral version.
I say, give your son the power to figure out what kind of boy he wants to be and your daughter the power to figure out what kind of girl she wants to be. Don’t let the toy companies do the deciding. If you are not sure that’s a good enough reason, how about this…you will find that your money goes farther!! Your kids and their friends can share more – and you’ll have many more options for hand-me-downs or re-sale. Also, when toys get used for more years by more kids, its better for the environment, too. Less trash.
So that’s three good reasons to steer clear of gender-specific toys. Its better for your kids, better for your wallet and better for the earth. Keep in mind that open-ended toys which inspire imagination and creativity, such as sand boxes and building blocks are always good options. Scooters, balls and jump ropes which promote healthy activity a great, too. Try to remember to buy gender-neutral versions that will appeal to lots of kinds of kids.
Great points. I'm happy to say our Pink Panther game was indeed gender neutral.
I never thought of the money-saving aspect of gender neutral toys, but you're so right! I really appreciate your insight.
Thanks for the input Geralyn, I'll keep that in mind as we begin buying toys for Soley. Your entry reminds me of the article I recently read in the baby brain development blog that you sent over. The article said that the difference in girls' and boys'motor skills is exacerbated by the toys they play with b/c girls' toys tend to only reinforce care giving and socializing while boys' toys reinforce coordination and motor skills. Go stacking cups!
Yesterday, when we cleaned out and took yet another set of unused/outgrown toys to Goodwill, we found out that Goodwill no longer accepts toys or baby gear because too many people drop off recalled items. Yet another reason to have fewer toys, more imaginative, longer lasting, higher quality toys you can pass down to siblings and cousins and neighbors. Otherwise, it is a chore trying to organize, recycle, move on so many short use toys. Or maybe I should have had a lot more children.
Also, the same ideas about re-use apply to gender neutral clothes. I try to buy neutral gloves, mittens, boots, etc so we can get more than 1 season of use out of them. Thanks for the ideas, Geralyn.
–Christina
Hi there, just wandered by. I have a Legos site. Amazing the amount of information on the web. Wasn’t what I was looking for, but great site. Have a good day.