Just Toys - Not Girl or Boy Toys
Life and Family

Just Toys – Not Girl or Boy Toys

July 17, 2018 /

When my oldest was young, a friend had a boy just 2 months younger than him. We spent a lot of time together and the boys were raised more like brothers than friends those first few years. They got into all kinds of trouble, we knew if we couldn’t hear them we better see what they were up to. One thing that always stuck with me was her calling the girl toy section at Walmart, the pink aisle. They always skipped the pink aisle. That was just the beginning of everything being pink, back then the pink aisle was mainly Barbies and baby dolls. Now almost everything has a pink version available.

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We always had a lot of girls around when the boys were growing up. Everywhere we went there was a mixture of girls and boys, they played with all the toys, not just girl or boy toys. Both the girls and boys played with the kitchen toys, babies, Nerf guns, cars and trucks, outside toys, etc… I think it is important to provide a wide variety of toys for kids to play with. Some boys are going to grow up to be daddies, uncles, teachers, chefs and artists, just like some girls will become mechanics, soldiers, accountants, and CEOs. Giving them a variety of toys to play with allows them to explore and learn what they like and don’t like.

I know a lot of people think that boys should not play with dolls, kitchen toys, dress up clothes, etc… And that girls shouldn’t climb trees, play with cars and trucks, learn to hunt and fish, etc… I disagree. I think that being exposed to all types of toys and activities is good for both boys and girls. Playing with dolls and stuffed animals, helps teach caring, responsibility and empathy. These are important qualities for both boys and girls. Pretend play is important for kids to learn, grow and become who they are meant to be.

While there are pink kitchens, there are also other colors or wood versions. I don’t think that there is anything wrong with a boy having a kitchen, baby, stuffed animals or whatever they are interested in. Same with a girl who wants a tree house, toolbox, or tractor. My kids, friends kids and the kids I babysat always had favorite toys that they tended to play with more often. This is the part where they are learning what they like, but they have to be exposed to different toys so that they can figure these things out.

I provided a variety of toys including a small portable kitchen with food and cookware, stuffed animals, a Cabbage Patch doll that was dressed in camouflage, cars and trucks, dress up clothes, Nerf guns, bubbles, art and craft supplies, and lots more when the boys were young. We had got rid of much of the younger toys by the time Shaylee came along, so we bought some new toys for her like a larger kitchen and Barbie house because that is what she wanted. She also got a lot of hand me down toys from the boys, she had her own Nerf guns and toys because she asked for them. She spent just as much time playing outside and getting dirty as the boys did.

They all are good with kids, know how to cook enough to get by, do their own laundry, and are learning to budget their money. Each has their own interests, likes and dislikes. I believe that allowing kids to explore when they are young lets them know that they can choose what is best for them later. Our oldest played all kinds of sports when he was young, tried band and ended up choosing to play football in high school. Devin tried a few different sports before settling on soccer and football for high school. Shaylee tried soccer and volleyball, but so far is choosing band and choir.

All the kids have spent a lot of time at my parents hill farm over the years. The boys both learned to hunt and fish when they were young. Shaylee loves to fish, probably more than the boys, but she has no interest in learning to hunt. She has been to the woods with her dad a couple of times but just was not interested. The boys loved it, but have gotten away from it as they are so busy every fall. I am sure they will return to hunting again in the future when other things like football, friends and girls become less present in their lives.

We have allowed them to choose what they want to participate in as long as they keep their grades up and do their chores. Shaylee took a babysitting course this summer and can’t wait until she is a little older so she can start babysitting. She loves babies and little kids and is a wonderful helper with all the kids around. Devin has been a lifeguard at a local park for the last two years. I feel that providing a variety of toys, chores, sports and activities helps the kids become well rounded adults that can will be a benefit to their community and the world as a whole.

Do you agree? How have you handled the girl/boy toys in your household? Leave a comment and let me know.

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