Beyond Dolls & Cars: A Look at Gender Bias in Children’s Learning Toys

If you grew up as a girl, you probably remember your toys being different from those of boys around you. Dolls, kitchen sets, and art supplies were popular options, while boys often found themselves with toy cars, trucks, or science kits. This gender bias in toys is deeply rooted, and it’s easy to see, even in something as seemingly neutral as arts and crafts.

My father always told me that he raised me free from biases, encouraging all kinds of play, yet the world around me seemed to pull me toward dolls and art supplies, while boys gravitated to toy cars and science kits. This bias feels especially strong in creative pursuits.

Recently, while working on a project, I discovered that three out of four of the arts and crafts kits produced by one major company were targeted explicitly at girls. The bias seems even more pronounced in India compared to Europe. Why are boys, as young as three, discouraged from trying creative pursuits? Why are we still seeing these divisions in “modern” society?

Where Does the Bias Begin?

The bias in children’s toys often starts with the adults purchasing them. In many families, toys and kits are bought by parents or as gifts, which means the person buying may have a preconceived idea of what “fits” the child based on their gender. We see this reflected in how brands market arts and crafts kits to girls and STEM kits to boys, sending a clear message that art is “girly” and science is “for boys.” Gendered marketing, from colour choices to packaging design, reinforces these biases by signalling which toys are meant for each gender.

In India, these biases seem to be even more pronounced and are often linked to traditional gender roles. Men are still culturally expected to be breadwinners, while arts and crafts are often viewed as hobbies rather than real skills. Parents and society unconsciously push boys toward “serious” pursuits like science and engineering, while girls are encouraged to be creative and nurturing, which includes arts and crafts.

From a developmental psychology perspective, play is crucial in the early years of life, particularly for children aged 3-6. Research suggests that boys and girls exhibit different play styles, which may be partially rooted in biology. Boys are often more physically active, engaging in rough-and-tumble play, while girls may gravitate towards imaginative and cooperative play. However, these tendencies are not hardwired; they are significantly influenced by societal expectations.

Research supports this idea, indicating that while biological differences in play exist, they can be amplified or diminished by the toys and activities that children are exposed to. The way parents and educators respond to a child's play choices can reinforce or challenge these norms, showing that nurturing diverse play experiences is essential for healthy development. These early biases become a cycle, shaping interests and potentially limiting children’s confidence to explore outside of these roles.

Arts and Crafts vs. STEM: The Long-term Impact

What effect does it have when we only provide girls with art supplies and boys with science kits? Arts and crafts kits offer enormous benefits to young children, regardless of gender. They develop fine motor skills, provide an outlet for creativity, and allow children a safe space to express themselves emotionally. Young children are particularly imaginative, and outlets like arts and crafts foster this creativity. Boys benefit from these activities just as much as girls, but the bias in favour of STEM kits for boys inadvertently reinforces that they don’t “need” creative skills.

At the same time, STEM kits are also beneficial for all children, offering them hands-on problem-solving experiences, early exposure to technical thinking, and basic scientific concepts. But when girls are less encouraged to try STEM kits, they may feel these areas are not for them, which can impact career interests later in life. Even at age three, children are absorbing these messages about what’s “appropriate” for them, with long-term implications on how they perceive both creative and scientific fields.

The Big Question: Why Do Girls Gravitate to Barbies and Boys to Cars?

The question persists—why, despite all the freedom we aim to give children, do girls still gravitate to Barbies and boys to toy cars? The answer lies in both biology and culture. While there may be some natural tendencies in play styles, society continuously reinforces certain interests through repeated exposure. When children receive toys that match what’s expected of them by gender, they internalize these norms as a part of their identity. This cycle of reinforcement often causes girls to develop interests in nurturing or aesthetic roles and boys in technical or action-oriented activities.

Parents may not even be aware of the subtle ways they reinforce these interests. Through comments, reactions, and the types of toys they buy, children learn quickly which behaviours and hobbies are “acceptable.”

So, What Now? 

Isn’t it time we moved away from these archaic assumptions about gendered play? Today, creativity, problem-solving, and expression are as important as technical skills, regardless of gender. Designers, educators, and parents have a responsibility to create opportunities for all children to explore both arts and sciences from a young age. This doesn’t mean forcing girls to love science kits or boys to enjoy arts and crafts, but rather offering them the freedom to choose and appreciate both. After all, gender shouldn’t determine a child’s path; their imagination should.

As a designer, I believe that it is my responsibility to create toys and kits that appeal to a broader, gender-neutral audience. For instance, arts and crafts kits can incorporate themes that resonate with both boys and girls, such as building structures or creating characters for storytelling. We can ask ourselves, could our toys be reimagined to inspire a more inclusive form of play? How might we create play experiences that encourage all children to explore both creativity and logic, blurring the lines that traditionally divide them?

As consumers, we play a significant role in shaping the toys that are available in the market. I urge readers to reflect on their own buying habits : do you unconsciously favour toys that align with traditional gender roles? By becoming aware of these biases, we can make conscious decisions that promote diversity in play.

Ask yourself: Are you limiting your child's potential by not providing them with the full range of play experiences? Consider how you can contribute to breaking these cycles by encouraging a broader view of what is "appropriate" for boys and girls alike.

Is a girl more likely to become an artist than a scientist because of her toys, or is it because society has subtly nudged her in that direction? By rethinking the toys we place in young hands, we might just reshape the adults they become.