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.

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Time spent outside has been replaced by time in front of screens. For example, the Fisher Price Summer 2009 catalog just arrived. They proudly advertise a new tot “Smart Fit Park” for children 3 to 6. “Kids can hop, skip, jump, walk and run their way through multiple levels of learning…” The toy includes software and a play mat you can hook up to you TV. Ugh.

In 2005, Richard Louv coined the phrase “nature-deficit disorder” in his book, Last Child in the Woods.http://richardlouv.com/ He and others have been advocating for more time outside, connected to nature. In fact, the National Wildlife Foundation has a campaign aimed at getting all kids outside for an hour everyday. “The National Wildlife Federation recommends that parents give their kids a ‘Green Hour’ every day, a time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. This can take place in a garden, a backyard, the park down the street, or any place that provides safe and accessible green spaces where children can learn and play. They have great ideas for parents and others. Check it out here: About This Campaign – NWF Green Hour

Finding safe outdoor spaces can be a challenge for families today, so it is helpful to know there are folks working hard to bring outdoor time back into the school day. Teachers can find ideas in the great book No Child Left Indoors: Creating a Field Guide to Your Schoolyard by Jane Kirkland http://www.takeawalk.com/no-student/ In the face of NCLB, it is good to find allies in the fight to keep outdoor play and connections with nature central to kids’ lives. Louv, Kirkland and the National Wildlife Federation are all part of the solution. Fisher Price, however, should think more about what’s good for children.

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