When shopping for toys, you want something your little one will play with for more than two minutes and ideally, something that won't make you (or other adults in the room) want to chuck it out the window. If you struggle to know what goodies to keep on hand, are shopping for someone else's child or just want to fill your home with engaging things that don't include tablets or television, you're likely looking for some timeless, non-offensive, genderless games and activities.
To help you on your shopping mission, we spoke with Cassie Watt of Mud Puddle Toys in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and Michelle Gillen-Doobrajh, owner of Tildie's Toy Box in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Haddonfield, New Jersey, about the most popular and engaging gender-neutral toys for kiddos.
Watt recommends buying less prescriptive toys, or those that "can be applied to and used in multiple play situations where the play experience is open-ended and determined by the child," she said. "I always am reminded of as a toy store owner and as a parent, is that children naturally want to play, explore and to be creative."
Gillen-Doobrajh echoed the importance of open-ended and child-led play, encouraging parents and caregivers to let their little ones explore their own interests, and not pressure them into activities they may not enjoy, though she added that re-introducing toys can be fun, too.
"If you find it's something your child wasn't interested in at first, that's OK! Give it some time and then bring it back out again in a week or two," Gillen-Doobrajh suggested. "Sometimes timing can be helpful in reinvigorating a forgotten toy as well."
To bring some screenless exploration into your home, Watt and Gillen-Doobrajh shared some of the most popular toys for kids.
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Michelle Gillen-Doobrajh of Tildie's Toy Box in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Haddonfield, New Jersey, said slime continues to be a fan favorite, "especially slime with mix-ins, scents, and different textures."
We found this jumbo slime kit for kids age 5 and up. It lets your little chemist choose their own colors, mix-ins, glitters and more.