In exactly a week we will be celebrating Ryan’s 2nd birthday. We’re all ready with his birthday gifts. I bought his present more than a month back. I ordered from Amazon.com a set of Bob The Builder tools set that comes complete with the helmet and the tool belt too. I absolutely can’t wait to give him the set because I think he would love it. Or maybe I love it more than him and that’s why I’m so excited!
His other presents consist mostly of plush toys of characters that he now enjoys from kiddie shows. Now that I look at his collection of toys, I would say that my boy has quite a good mix of girl and boy toys! He has lots of soft toys, cooking sets, play doctor sets and of course the usual cars and truck accessories, building blocks and some musical and educational toys.
From what I have observed, I find that he likes to play cooking and also to lug around his play doctor set. When he feels like he can spend more time to focus on something, that’s when he goes for his building blocks and colouring books.
Do you think he’s playing more with “girl” toys rather than boy’s toys? It does seem like it if you observe close enough what he likes to play with.
Well I don’t really mind that he plays with “softer” or “girlish” toys. I don’t want to stereotype him to play with only boy’s toys just because he’s a boy. I think having a balance is good. Let him be exposed to all things and let his creativity blossom. Why limit his play things?
I’m short of buying him a Barbie to make his toys really girlish…but you know what? I do think that he might just enjoy a Barbie doll too! He likes to comb my hair, watch me apply my skincare products and even asks for me to apply creams on him. Sometimes he would even help me choose what clothes to wear! So do you think I should get him a Barbie to dress up and brush her hair? Maybe that’s going a bit too far, you reckon? 
What about you as a parent, are you strict with toys in terms of making it a clear line that a boy or a girl should play only with a suitable gender toy or do you allow a mix and match? Are you comfortable if your child seems to be more into toys meant for the other gender?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
My boy likes to play with his sister’s dollhouse more than her. Thats fine with me.
I have no preference over the toys’ gender, but I have a problem with Barbie. I really hate her, so I will not buy it for my girl too.
Otherwise, I am happy to have my girl play with trucks and my boy play with masak masak.
Hi Penny,
I’m also busy seaching for my boy’s 2nd birthday present.. I don’t classify toys as boyish or girlish.. my boy plays with everything, including kitchen set and plush toys… As long as he enjoys, I’ve no complaint..
I’m thinking of getting him a kiddy laptop or a set of Mega Blocks for his BD… I guess at his age, these stuffs should be appropriate for his learning..
I agree with you.. most of the time, I’m more excited than my boy when it comes to toys… haha! how weird! probably I was deprived of toys when I was young..
Mumsgather, that’s quite cute! Who knows, maybe he’ll grow up to be a great architect!
Busy Bee, eh what did Barbie ever do to you for you to hate her so much?! Poor Megan can’t even smell a Barbie
Next time I buy for her birthday present, ok? 
Emily, I think that kiddy laptop is a great idea. I got one for Ryan too, it’s just cute, not to mention it’s educational. Seeing the kinds of toys kids have today, I’m sure we’re all pretty deprived of the stuff they have now! Haha.
generally, i don’t restrict my boys about the choice of toys, but there are a few No-No’s:
- Barbie dolls…too girlie la (other plush dolls and the kitchen set are okay)
- guns
why don’t you get ryan a set of lego building blocks? they are brain-stimulating and long-lasting
Ai-ling, we’ve got him several sets of building blocks already and he loves them
I’ve also thought of not buying guns for him but his babysitter bought him one, plus he’s playing shooting with his fingers shaped into guns! Hahaha…I guess boys will be boys!