Let me tell you something: boys love trucks, trains, and dinosaurs—no doubt about it. But as a proud mom of four energetic boys, I can firmly say that they also adore dolls, dollhouses, dress-up clothes, and kitchen play sets. Honestly, they’re into just about anything that sparks their imagination because, well, they’re kids, and kids just love toys—until someone decides to put a label on them. When we start saying things are “for boys” or “for girls,” we’re really just boxing our kids in and that’s just not cool.
Take my youngest, for example—he went through a phase where he was absolutely obsessed with My Little Pony. And you know what? We thought it was adorable. Watching his face light up when he talked about his favorite characters was priceless. He’d snuggle up in the My Little Pony blanket his grandma made, play for hours with his pony figurines, and even asked us to read his My Little Pony storybooks every night at bedtime.
Then came his 4th birthday gift from his uncle: a pair of purple, sparkly Crocs with My Little Ponies on them. He wore those shoes with pride, getting compliments everywhere we went. But then, one day, someone mentioned that those shoes were “for girls.” Just like that, the compliments didn’t matter anymore, and he stopped wearing them. It was heartbreaking to see. A single comment was enough to dim his enthusiasm for all things Pony. Now he’s almost five, and he hasn’t been as passionate about anything since. That little comment planted a doubt that stifled his creativity.
I simply can’t wrap my head around why some parents won’t let their boys play with “girl” toys or vice versa. What’s the fear here? That a boy playing with a doll will somehow turn him into a “gender-bending” deviant? We all have cherished memories of our childhood toys, and it’s hard to believe any one toy shapes our futures. I mean, I used to give my Barbies terrible haircuts, and I certainly didn’t grow up to be a hairstylist—it’s probably for the best!
If anything, letting kids explore whatever toys they want might nurture well-rounded individuals. Imagine a guy who’s great in the kitchen or a girl who loves tinkering with gadgets. These are people who don’t feel pressured to fit into outdated gender roles. Shocking, I know! (Cue the eye rolls.)
When we tell our children they shouldn’t like what they’re naturally drawn to, we’re asking them to doubt themselves while simultaneously pushing the message of self-confidence. Plus, we risk reinforcing stereotypes that have limited both boys and girls for generations. I want my kids to enjoy what brings them joy, whether it’s pink, blue, or rainbow-colored. My goal is to raise happy, fulfilled individuals, and I believe that encouraging their imaginations through play—regardless of the toy—won’t hurt.
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Summary
Boys can love whatever toys they want—regardless of gender labels—without it affecting their future. Encouraging children to explore their interests fosters creativity and individuality. Let them enjoy the things that spark joy, and they’ll grow up to be happy, well-rounded people.