Our society has become much more open-minded and inclusive over the last few years on many things when it comes to how we raise children, from giving kids names that are gender neutral, to allowing kids to be able to express themselves with clothes they want to as well as to the toys they play with. For example, Target has made concerted efforts to not assign genders to its toy sections (e.g. encourage "boy" or "girl" toys) and there are lots of others out there that make toys for all kids — no matter their biological sex or the gender they identify as.
We found some of these toys and put them all on one list to make it easier on the parents, aunts, uncles, or anyone who loves a kid and wants to get them a toy that doesn't subscribe to any particular gender. There are gender neutral dolls, art sets, sports' sets, and even subscription boxes all kids will enjoy.
Baby Toy Animals
$39.76
from
ROSTOKtoys/Etsy
These toy animals are the cutest things, aren’t they? Keeping it simple is what makes these so perfect for parents who are looking for toys that stay gender-free. Kids can paint these if they wish and create fun characters for their playtime. Or they can leave them as is, and spend hours making up storylines for these characters to discover.
Archery Game Set
As Katniss Everdean from The Hunger Games has shown with her archery skills, the sport isn't just for boys. It can be for everyone. The real thing is too dangerous for kids (without supervision) but there are play sets that have the same idea, like this set that includes a bow, arrows, and a target for kids to practice on.
Little Passports Subscription Kit
$25
from
Little Passports
Adults love subscription boxes as they make for a great surprise to get each month with useful products, so why can't kids get them, too? Well, they can, and the kinds of items in these Little Passport Kits are for all kids, no gender assignment necessary. There are different monthly subscriptions to choose from, along with different boxes for different age groups.
Tiny Land Inc. 130-Piece Fort-Building Kit
Everyone loves a good fort. For one that is a step above the traditional blanket and pillow forts (which are still awesome) we recommend this creative fort-building set. It comes with 130 pieces, so putting it together (with an adult helping) can be just as fun as playing in it when it's complete.
Melissa & Doug Examine & Treat Vet Set
$37.5
from
Personal Creations
This veterinarian set is perfect for the kids who adore animals or like to nurse people they love back to health as part of imaginative play. The set from Melissa & Doug comes with a dog and cat (as patients) and various vet tools (like a stethoscope and cone) they'll need to fix boo-boos and keep animals healthy.
Art Supply Kit
$20
from
Kid Made Modern
Art has no gender and never will. And that's because talent doesn't either. That's why we love toys and kids' activities that promote arts and crafts and creativity. This set comes with a mixed paper pad, colored pencils, paints, and sponge brushes. It's a great set to have at home or take on the go.
Pretend & Play Teaching Telephone
$40
from
Pretend & Play Teaching Telephone
Many of us loved to use toy phones and pretend to be in an office. A pretend phone like this one could work for any kid, and one that they'll be able to enjoy without feeling pressured to submit to any kind of norm. This one is old-school with a curly cord and a button to teach them how to call 911.
Osmo Genius Numbers
For the kids who love numbers and math in general, we recommend a fun but educational toy like this one from Osmo. According to Osmo, here is how the game works: "Kids arrange physical tiles, including dots and digits, to make numbers and complete levels. Add by putting more tiles, subtract by removing tiles and multiply by connecting tiles together. Experimenting becomes fast and intuitive."
Abacus
$28
from
MamarktDesigns / Etsy
We love the modern look of this abacus, moving away from the typical bright primary colors and opting for these pastel shades instead. Perfect for young kids, but will last them many years, this abacus helps kids learn the beginnings of math and counting – perfect blend of educational and imaginative play.
Symphony Croc Music Band Set
Speaking of creativity, art with pencils, crayons, and paper is not the only way to get that side of kids' brains stimulated. There's also music and there are lots of toys out there, without any kind of gender attribution (like pink guitars or blue harmonicas) that they'll love to make some tunes with — like this set that incudes this crocodile piano.
Smart Stages Piggy Bank
$15
from
Fisher-Price
It's never too early to teach kids about money. How to count it, how to save it, or at the least, where to put it. In their case, it's the piggy bank and this toy piggy bank is a great first bank for kids to both learn and play with. It comes with different colored "coin" chips that they can put through the top, but the piggy belly opens to get them out.
Wooden Toy Bus
The patriarchy has tried and in many cases succeeded in making cars and automobiles something that is geared toward boys, but we're rejecting that. This wooden school bus toy is a great gender neutral kind of vehicle that kids will love to use during pretend play. The bus also comes with two figurines as well.
Play Camp Fire
Going camping is super fun. When kids can't do the real thing, they can at least pretend to with a play fort or indoor tent and this toy campfire flame. It's totally safe for kids to play with and can simulate campfire fun — including cooking s'mores, which everyone loves, no matter what gender they identify as.
Waldorf Forest Animals
$99
from
CASSAROKIDS/Etsy
Animals are a favorite for kids because they are mystical for the little ones at that age. After learning their names and the sounds they make, kids can spend hours using their imagination to put these forest animals in some fun adventures. We love the size, perfect for little hands, and they have a charm to them as well.
Melissa & Doug Food Groups
Food is so yummy. While kids should be able to safely watch or help mom and dad choose foods they eat or cook with, they should be able to experiment and learn about different foods on their own with this Melissa & Doug food group play set. It comes with different types of food toys and it is one of the few times it's OK to play with one's food.
Wooden Math Toys
Parents and us over at CafeMom love a good educational tool disguised as a fun toy, and that is exactly what this Montessori learning toy set is. It comes with different learning games that kids can play with. It includes number and letter puzzles, magnetic fish they can "fish" out of the set, and blocks of different shapes and colors.
Climbing Frame
$268
from
Woodandhearts/Etsy
Toddlers love to climb, but we don’t always have the ability to take them to the playground. This climbing frame is perfect for kiddos who love to be adventurous and take their energy out on an activity. This can be used indoors or outdoors on a dry day, and we think it would be perfect for fort building, too.
Play-Doh Case of Imagination
Play-Doh is a toy that parents love to hate and hate to love. Yes, it can get messy, but it's so darn fun. It also inspires kids to get creative and stretch their artsy muscles. Plus, it's soothing to touch and play with thanks to the dough's malleable texture. The best part: no gender necessary for play time.
Wooden Doctor Kit
Kids who love to take care of others and have an interest in medicine should be encouraged to explore that, no matter their gender. It's super easy for them to do that, even if they're just using it as a toy, with this doctor kit. It comes with everything a kiddo needs to set up a clinic at home, like a stethoscope and a syringe.
Glow-in-the-Dark Kids Bowling Set
Bowling is a sport and also just a fun leisure game to play with friends or alone. Kids don't have to wait to go to the bowling alley to have fun with some pins and ball with this bowling set. What makes this one super cool is that it's glow-in-the-dark. This set comes with six pins and can be used indoors or outside.
Safari Buddies Hand Puppets
$32.5
from
Melissa & Doug
Speaking of trying to cut down on technology and encourage play that's not on a device, we think hand puppets are tried-and-true toys that encourage imagination and fun. They're not tied to any gender and kids are free to create situations and worlds when they play with them. This set has five different animal puppets.
TimberBlocks
$29
from
Fat Brain Toys
Blocks are an old-school but well-loved toy that can keep kids engaged and occupied for hours. They can get creative and build things that they think of in their heads or satisfy any need they have to knock things down and start over. This block set comes with 100 wooden pieces and are for any kid.
Wooden Hardwood Toy Camera
$24.95
from
TimberWolfConcepts/Etsy
Kids who love to create might enjoy having their own pretend camera. This is a wooden one that can be engraved with a name or a phrase. This is pretend, obviously not able to take real pictures, but it can help encourage the little ones who are already curious and help use their imagination to take them on adventures.
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