What Kind of Toys Do Girls Like? An Insider‘s Look at Evolving Play Preferences
The short answer: Dolls, stuffed animals, toy kitchen appliance sets, arts/crafts, and role play toys allow girls to act out domestic activities and nurturing roles. But preferences are diversifying with more parents considering developmental impacts over gender norms when choosing toys. Building sets, STEM kits, and outdoor recreation toys marketed towards boys are becoming increasingly popular across genders as well.
As a female gamer and content creator, I‘ve seen exciting shifts firsthand in attitudes towards "girl toys" and "boy toys"…
Traditional Favorites
Research suggests dolls allow children to process emotions, build empathy, and rehearse social roles. Additional top categories for girls as outlined in Toy Insider‘s 2022 Hottest Holiday Toys Guide:
| Toy Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Dolls/Plush | L.O.L. Surprise, Baby Alive |
| Arts & Crafts | friendship bracelet kits, sewing machines |
| Make Believe | Disney costumes, kitchen appliance replicas |
These open-ended toys promote creativity and imagination. In 2022, doll sales grew 16% with L.O.L. Surprise retaining top spot for collectible dolls.
I also loved Stitch-It Kits as a kid – the jewelry making kept me entertained for hours! But while traditional favorites endure, more parents want well-rounded skill development…
The Rise of Gender Neutral Toys
| % Parents Avoiding Gender Stereotypes | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| When buying toys | 67% | 71% |
"We‘ve seen incredible growth in building sets, STEM toys, and sports/action figures as parents focus more on play benefits versus gender norms." – Sarah Wilshire, Senior Market Analyst at NP
Iconic brands are taking notice – Lego Friends combines bright colors and friendship themes with engineering elements for girls.
I was thrilled to discover GoldieBlox, pioneering engineering toys starring a girl character. As a female gamer breaking into a male-dominated industry, this representation matters! Kids should explore all interests freely.
Developmental Stages = New Toys
Child development experts suggest matching toys to current cognitive and motor abilities. Preschool age girls may enjoy:
- Imaginative toys: play kitchens, dress-up clothes
- Building toys: mega blocks, stacking rings
- Motor skills: pull-along toys, play tunnels
As girls approach pre-teen ages, play preferences evolve further…
| Age Group | Popular Toy Examples | Skill Development |
|---|---|---|
| 6-8 years | Craft kits (weaving, bracelets) Simple board games Bike with training wheels | Fine motor skills Counting, matching skills Balance, coordination |
| 8-12 years | Building toys (Lego) Puzzles and strategy games Outdoor sports equipment | Spatial reasoning Critical thinking Athleticism |
Open-ended toys like craft supplies or building sets allow self-directed learning – girls can create unique projects based on their own vision and dramatically improve skills over time.
We can nurture development while empowering passions…
Encouraging Girls in Gaming and STEM
I run a YouTube channel reviewing new video game releases. While fellow gamers are supportive regardless of gender, gaming culture remains male-dominated. However, attitudes are slowly changing – between 2018 and 2023, the percentage of female gamers rose from 41% to 45% globally.
And brands like Build Your Own Arcade fuse gaming and engineering for delightful open-ended play.
As a content creator, I make sure to highlight emerging brands expanding ideas of what toys girls "should" like. Times are changing – various play styles have developmental upsides across genders!
Now let‘s overview some seriously fun new releases…
Hottest Toy Trends for 2023
Here are the coolest upcoming goodies gaining major buzz in gaming and kid circles:
| Hot Toy | Description |
|---|---|
| Lipo Factory by Revogirl | Mix scented lip glosses and lip balms |
| Gabby‘s Purrfect Dollhouse | Dollhouse with 100+ accessories |
| Nintendo Switch Lite | Handheld gaming console |
| Osmo Math Wizard | Augmented reality math games |
Between creativity-sparking chemistry sets and the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch update, girls have fantastic options for engaging play.
And established brands continue upping representation – Lego Friends now features a wheelchair user mini-figure among its diverse characters. Playtime should reflect real world diversity!
Final Thoughts
While parents still gravitate towards dolls and classic "girl" toys, gender norms are loosening in the toy aisle. Open-ended building sets, STEM toys, and indoor/outdoor recreation items have entered the chat!
Focusing on developmental impacts over gender when choosing toys benefits all kids. And I‘m thrilled to see brands encouraging girls in gaming, technology, engineering, and beyond. Because ultimately, toys should stoke imagination – not limit it!
What emerging brands or must-have releases am I missing? Share your favorites below!
