Diverse toys for kids who don’t play with dolls?

[Anonymous]

I have two young boys. Lots of discussion on having black dolls, but what if you have children who don’t play with dolls? (Not the time to discuss that.)

We have a variety of books. And they play playmobile and those people are diverse. And LEGO people are yellow.

Should I just get dolls so they’re there...? Other thoughts?

[Anonymous]

What about puppets? Or movies/TV shows with diverse characters?

[Anonymous]

My son never showed interest in doll/action figure toys. The closest thing he liked were stuffed animals when he was little and LEGO’s when he was older. We made sure there were books with diverse characters and that the tv shows he watched were also diverse. I wouldn’t waste money and space on toys he’s not interested in. If you’re talking to him about race that will go a longer way than toys anyway.

[Anonymous]

My DS loved Playmobile when he was young. That said, I can’t remember if they are multicultural

[Anonymous]

Black Panther if they’re into superheroes. My DD is way into superheroes (and Disney princesses) and we have a kid’s black panther comic that’s very good.

[Anonymous]

Books. Artwork. My sons didn’t really take to dolls or action figures either. But I made sure we had books with non-white characters. And if I was hanging a picture of a firefighter in their room, I chose a black firefighter. Mostly books though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two young boys. Lots of discussion on having black dolls, but what if you have children who don’t play with dolls? (Not the time to discuss that.)

We have a variety of books. And they play playmobile and those people are diverse. And LEGO people are yellow.

Should I just get dolls so they’re there...? Other thoughts?

I think you're missing the point, OP.

[Anonymous]

Enough. Let them be kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Enough. Let them be kids.

Huh? Please explain how a brown doll puts an end to childhood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Enough. Let them be kids.

Huh? Please explain how a brown doll puts an end to childhood

Why would you buy a child who is not interested in dolls a doll? That is pushing your agenda and is fake as otherwise you wouldn't buy them any dolls.

[Anonymous]

Nope! There are lots of books out there, and puzzles, and pictures. If you want to be promote diversity, pay attention to packaging -- and talk about it with your kids. As a child, I noticed that ads and box tops often had a group of children playing a particular game or with a particular toy. Almost invariably, the kid depicted actively at the center of the game was white, and usually male, and the children of color were often in the background or depicted as helpers. So maybe a white kid building a tower of blocks, and a black kid handing the white kid a block to build with. Diversity is all around you -- but diversity reflecting equality may not be. I wouldn't get kids things that they're not likely to enjoy -- but you can pay attention to the things that they do get -- and use them as a springboard for appropriate conversations.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all.

Playmobile figures are diverse, so there’s that.

We have some new books coming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS loved Playmobile when he was young. That said, I can’t remember if they are multicultural

They are.

[Anonymous]

There are some Lego minifigs with different skin tones. Ditto for Playmobil. Also think about the books you buy, the TV shows you let them watch, the puzzles you buy, etc. There are lots of opportunities to normalize the portrayal of POC.

[Anonymous]

Little People are also diverse. My 3 year old has some of them. She isn’t hugely into dolls, but I’m glad her preschool has a diverse set of dolls.

You can also get books that have a diverse set of characters.