How do toys affect children’s identity?

Toys, and the way we play with them, act as a rehearsal for adulthood. Toys impact the identities of children by encouraging certain skills and traits. Traditionally (not to mention broadly) speaking, toys for boys have been focused on action and conflict, whereas toys for girls have usually been marketed as nurturing or beauty-related toys. It’s for this exact reason that children need to be exposed to a variety of toys. This is why the LEGO Group is committed to making play more inclusive by ensuring that children’s ambitions and playtime are not limited by gender stereotypes.

Do toys enforce gender stereotypes?

Toys influence the development, cognitive and social skills of children and can contribute to gender stereotypes. Stereotypically ‘feminine’ toys have in the past been related to nurturance, care, beauty and attractiveness, whereas stereotypically ‘masculine’ toys are usually focused around technology, competition, aggression, construction and action. These stereotypes can influence how children play, their behavior, and can even impact education outcomes, career pathways and interpersonal relationships. We at the LEGO Group are very aware of the power of gender stereotypes and that’s why every toy we make today, we make for every child. It is our mission to steer clear of stereotypes in both our product design and marketing. We hope you can see this approach in action on this page, as well as on our corresponding page. If you’d like to learn more, please refer to our joint research with the Geena Davis Institute on the subject . We also enjoyed reading this study by PNAS.

What are non-gendered toys?

Non-gendered toys are those which do not reinforce or reflect stereotypical ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ stereotypes. Either by the qualities they encourage, the skillsets they require, their color, their appearance, right down to the kids shown playing them on the packaging. Instead, they promote a range of interests and possibilities. We like to think that the biggest difference between our sets is simply the age range they are aimed at.

Do kids prefer gendered toys?

No boy is born with some kind of biological preference for blue things, as much as no girls are born with a preference for pink things. The gendering of those colors – and of toys in general – is a societal development. According to a study conducted by the LEGO Group, girls are slightly less restrained by typical gender biases than boys. 74% of boys compared to 62% of girls believe some activities are meant ‘just’ for girls, with others meant for boys. At the LEGO Group, we aim to break these gender stereotypes by encouraging kids to play with sets from all of the ranges we have to offer, for example, by categorizing our sets by factors such as age range, interest and price.

Are LEGO sets for girls or boys?

All LEGO toys are for all kids, however they identify themselves.

Is LEGO City for boys or girls?

Just like all our other toys, all LEGO City sets are for all kids, however they identify themselves.

Is LEGO Friends for boys or girls?

LEGO Friends is great for kids who like deep character development as a way to discover and explore their own personality and interests. That passion can be equally strong in all children.

Toys for Girls

Searching for the best gifts for girls for an upcoming birthday, Christmas or special occasion? All LEGO® sets are for girls with something for all ages and every interest. If you are stuck for inspiration, discover some of the best toys for girls here.