Parents of young girls are often stumped when it comes to buying toys for their little girl. There are so many options to choose from, and it can feel like it’s impossible to know what’s right for her age and interests. In this guide, we’ll help you navigate the sometimes-difficult world of buying toys for girls so you can choose the best toys for the special little girl in your life.
To Pink or Not to Pink?
One of the first issues parents run into when buying toys for little girls is the color problem. Pink has been the signature color of girl’s toys for decades. But does your little girl want pink toys? Does buying her nothing but pink toys reinforce old and outdated gender stereotypes?
There’s no one right answer to these questions. When shopping for girls’ toys, the first thing you’ll notice is that the entire “girl” section of most toy stores or big box stores is filled with pink. This can make it hard to avoid the color pink, and many parents give in and give their little girl nothing but pink toys (not to mention clothes) until she hits her pre-teen years. However, you don’t have to do this, and plenty of young girls would rather have toys that aren’t pink.
The best way to solve this color crisis is first to know the girl you’re shopping for. Does she love all things pink? In that case, go for it. But if she doesn’t seem to have a preference, feel free to branch out from the pink “girls” section of the toy store. Young girls won’t notice or care that their toys come from the “boys” section.
Types of Toys
There are many different types of toys to choose from for young girls. In this section, we’ll cover some of the most popular types and review the pros and cons of each type of toy.
Dolls
Some of the most popular toys for younger girls are dolls. It’s not just Barbie anymore, either—there are all kinds of dolls to choose from, making it easier than ever to find the perfect doll for any little girl. The easiest way to choose is to find a doll that’s right for her age.
Baby dolls are great for the youngest girls (ages 3-6). There are tons of realistic baby dolls that are fun for young girls and allow them to pretend they’re taking care of a real baby. One of the newest and most high-tech options out there is the Cabbage Patch Kids Baby So Real doll. This doll is enhanced with animated LCD eyes and can connect to a smart phone via Bluetooth for a pretend baby monitor, making it truly the next generation in baby dolls.
Older girls usually want a doll that they can dress up and style however they want. That’s where Barbie and dolls like Barbie come in. Look for a doll that really looks like the girl you’re shopping for. There are many options now, including dolls of all skin tones, hair colors, and body types. Having a doll that looks like her will make playtime more fun for older girls. American Girl Dolls are a popular choice, as they have tons of accessories available and come with books telling the stories of American girls throughout time.
Arts and Crafts
There are nearly limitless options when it comes to art and craft toys. Let the young girl in your life develop her creativity and express herself with arts and crafts. You can stick with something as simple as a box of crayons or find more elaborate gifts.
Check out your local craft store to find all kinds of ready-to-use kits that girls will love. You can make tie-dye shirts, friendship bracelets, and more with simple, easy craft sets designed for young girls specifically.
Tablets
Tablets are becoming more and more popular as gifts for kids, and there’s a good reason why. A tablet can provide hundreds of hours of entertainment in just one device, thanks to all the different apps and games you can download.
Of course, shopping for a tablet can be difficult, especially if it’s for a young child. Many tablets designed for kids just aren’t well-made. They’re often flimsy and breakable, not to mention they can’t run all the apps your kids want or run them so slowly your kids get frustrated and give up. On the other hand, tablets for adults are often extremely expensive and just as easy to break.
There are good kid-friendly tablets out there, however. The Amazon Fire Kids Edition is an excellent choice for young girls. It’s high quality, durable, and comes with a warranty that covers accidental damage. That means if your little girl manages to break it, Amazon will send you a new one at no cost.
Plush Toys
Even with all the high-tech options out there, plush toys are still a favorite among young girls. The Beanie Baby craze may have died down, but girls will still enjoy playing with plush toys. For older girls, you may want to stay away from teddy bears and other plush toys that will seem too “baby-ish”, but girls up to about 10 years old will almost always love something cute and cuddly.
Outdoor Toys
Every parent wants to get their kids outside more, and fun outdoor toys are a great way to do it. Get your little girl something as simple as a soccer ball, and you can send her outside for hours of fun. Of course, there are many more options than there used to be when it comes to outdoor toys, and you don’t have to stick to the basics anymore.
One of the coolest new outdoor toys is the hoverboard. No, it doesn’t actually hover above the ground, but it’s still pretty neat. Hoverboards are self-balancing scooters, with two wheels on either side. You stand in the middle and lean or move your feet to get the board moving. These high-tech scooters have become extremely popular with kids, and just about any little girl will love having one.
Conclusion
Whatever toys you get for your little girl, make sure it’s something that matches her personality and her interests. Every girl is different, and you won’t know what she likes and doesn’t like if you don’t know her.
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