The traditional colour schemes of pink and blue are quickly becoming a thing of the past when it comes to nursery décor, with parents opting to raise their children free of the typical gender stereotypes. And not only is gender-neutrality becoming a hugely popular and growing trend in the nursery, but parents are also looking for gender-neutral toys that are inclusive for all kids too.
Perfect for playdates, surprise gender baby showers, and inspiring imaginations, gender-neutral toys give all children the opportunity to learn valuable skills equally outside of those prescribed by gender constructs. “Avoiding gender stereotypes can help children be more independent and free to explore the world,” says child psychologist Amanda Gummer from the Good Toy Guide. “It gives your child opportunities to make their own choices because there aren’t any restrictions.”
LEGO toys go gender-neutral
The growth in gender-neutral toy popularity has become so evident in the toy world, that in late 2021, LEGO announced that it was working to remove gender bias from its product lines so children could feel comfortable playing with all toys, regardless of gender.
Whilst toys are just toys at the end of the day and can be played with by any child, heavy marketing towards a specific gender – think Barbie and GI Joe – and gender bias in toys has reinforced those age-old gender stereotypes. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media found that in their studies with LEGO, sons were encouraged to do sports and STEM activities, whilst girls were offered dance, baking, and dressing up. This ingrained gender stereotyping has led to kids feeling uncomfortable playing with toys outside of their ‘gender norm’. As well as missing out on skill development they might find from those toys, such as nurturing with toy dolls, and spatial awareness in toy construction kits.
LEGO isn’t alone in their pursuit for gender-neutral toys. Yet these toys are still a little tricky to find in comparison to the gendered toys you’ll find on toyshop shelves. We’ve shared some great gender-neutral toys that’ll be sure to appeal to any child from the likes of LEGO, Play-Doh, Crayola, and more.
Gender-neutral toys for babies and toddlers
Taf Toys Hunny Bunny Stacker
With dainty patterns and a mix of inviting colours, this modern stacking toy would be perfect for any baby and will help them to develop their motor skills and coordination. With a cute bunny topper and four rings including a fun beaded ring, this is a toy easy for little hands to hold.
Suitable from 9 months.
Hape All Season House
This child's wooden doll house comes fully furnished with furnishings and appliances, ready to inspire children to role-play and have fun. The doll house is an impressive three storeys with six rooms for them to explore, and even has a reversible roof so little one's can change the season from summer to winter.
Suitable from 36 months.
Little Dutch Shape Sorter in Little Goose
Perfectly sized for little hands, this fun shape shorter is a classic for helping children to practice their coordination and learn about shapes and colours. With a neutral colour palette and an adorable Little Goose design, this will make for an inclusive and stylish addition to the nursery.
Suitable from 18 months.
Play-Doh 36-Can Mega Pack
Which child doesn't love to play with Play-Doh? Boasting a whopping 36 cans in a variety of colours, there's plenty for kids to share. Fun for arts, crafts, or just to squish, Play-Doh will definitely spark their imagination and is fantastic go-to for play dates.
Suitable from two years.
Janod Sweet Cocoon Activity Table
With modern, delicate colours that jumps on the growing want for gender-neutral toys, the Sweet Cocoon Activity Table is sure to captivate young minds and excite their curiosity. The table has six different activities to help develop their motor skills including a train track with two vehicles that ring a bell, a small mill, two stacking trees, three loops with beads, three gears to rotate, and five shapes to sort.
Suitable from 12 months.
Hape All-in-1 Easel
This all-inclusive easel set comes with a chalkboard, a whiteboard, three paint pots, one replaceable paper roll, magnets, and a standing easel where kids can express their creativity to their heart's delight. Not to mention, it's also height adjustable to suit a range of ages.
Suitable from two months.
4-Pack Soft Woodland Cubes
A delightful toy for babies to help develop motor skills and imagination, these soft and tactile Woodland Cubes with adorable animal faces will be loved by all little ones. They can be stacked, tumbled, and thrown over and over again.
Suitable from birth.
Farm Animal Eggs
Carrying on the animal theme, universally loved by all kids, these Farm Animal Eggs are sure to make an egg-celent addition to the playroom. Made from wood with soft felt ears and presented in an egg box, these six farmyard themed eggs will inspire your child's imagination and role-playing - imagine the stories they can tell with this loveable bunch.
Suitable from three years.
LEGO 10696 Classic Medium Creative Brick Box
Loved by kids and adults for generations, LEGO bricks inspire kids to build, play, and build again, and this set of 484 pieces is sure to keep them busy! In 35 different colours, this set could last a lifetime and is a universally loved toy perfect for play dates for boys and girls. No doubt you'll get to see some fun and exciting creations.
Suitable from four years.
Kid's Concept Tool Bench KID'S HUB
We love the design of the Kid's Concept Tool Bench that makes it perfect for all kids interested in getting hands on so they can develop their practical and creative skills. This fab-looking bench includes screws, nails, nuts, a wrench, hammer, and more with holes for your mini carpenter to build in. There's even a toy circular saw and smart drawers and hooks for them to store all their DIY kit.
Suitable from three years.
John Lewis & Partners Mic and Stand
For future pop-stars, this mic and stand will put stars in your child's eyes as they express their creativity and develop their social skills. Look forward to home showtimes complete with a flashing disco ball and four sound effect buttons with cheers, claps, and more so they can truly set the scene.
Suitable from three years.
Melissa & Doug Top & Bake Pizza Counter Play Set
Mamma Mia! For little chefs in the making, this complete pizza counter set will not only inspire their imagination and storytelling, but it will also develop their counting and sorting skills with the range of toppings and play money. The set also includes the counter, a pizza paddle and cutter, delivery box, prep instructions and reusable menu, and a pizza base for them to customise with exactly what the customer wants.
There's also a pretend play Camp Stove, Fill and Fold Taco, and Pasta Play Set if they'd prefer other foodie adventures.
Suitable from three years.
Melissa & Doug 18503 Astronaut Role Costume Set
What does your tot want to be when they grow up? Melissa & Doug's role-play costumes are designed for boy and girls and are easy to clean too. This astronaut costume will have your child reaching for the stars with the astronaut jumpsuit, gloves, shiny helmet, and reusable nametag.
Other costumes available include a doctor, vet, fire chief, police officer, hairstylist, and construction worker.
Suitable from three years.
Fat Brain Dimpl
Shortlisted for the Mother&Baby Awards 2022, little fingers can't resist the beautiful buttons of Fat Brain Toys' Dimpl. It's so simple yet satisfying. Push them all the way in to pop them through to the other side and encourage fine motor skills. Inspire giggles and hours of sensory exploration with the durable Dimpl sensory toy. It's also perfect for on the move - take it wherever you go. Check out our full tried and tester review from real parents.
Suitable from 10 months.
Wheely Bug Bee Ride-On
Whichever way your kid wants to go, there's no stopping them with the Wheely Bug Bee Ride-On. Designed with castors instead of wheels so they can ride in any direction, the Wheely Bug features an easy-grip handlebar for riding and for using as a push along toy when your little one is learning to walk. Cute and made from high-quality materials, they'll be buzzing around just like a bee.
Suitable from 12 months.
Chad Valley Marble Run
We have fond memories playing with marble run as a child, and they're still as popular as ever. Kids will love creating their own maze and watching their marbles race through the track - they can even play with their friends to race and see which track is the fastest. This set comes with 100 pieces including marbles, loops, wheels, and chutes for some wild wacky routes.
Suitable from three years.
John Lewis & Partners Waitrose Cash Register
A toy register is great fun for inspiring imaginative play, but they can base their storytelling on the real thing with the Waitrose Cash Register. Bright, easy to understand, and complete will all the rings, beeps, and clicks included, they'll feel ever so grown-up scanning through items and role playing with money and cards.
Suitable from three years.
ByAstrup Children's Hairdresser Set
More so than not, children's hairdresser toys are aimed exclusively at girls. This is why we love the stylish ByAstrup Children's Hairdresser Set that's been beautifully crafted to suit aspiring hairdressers and barbers regardless of gender. The set includes a hairdryer with two attachments, hair straighteners, a razor, a shaver, a bottle of hairspray, a brush a make up mirror, and a lovely drawstring bag to keep their tools in.
Suitable from three years.
Orchard Toys First Sounds Lotto
Orchard Toys First Sounds Lotto won Silver for Best Toddler Toy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 and it's clear to see why. This fun-filled sound game where players listen to the sounds on the Orchard Toys app or make noises themselves and match them to pictures on their playing boards will have kids mooing like a cow or hissing like a snake! It also includes a six piece jigsaw puzzle for added play value that can be used to encourage conversation from young children. Check out our review from real mum testers.
Suitable from two years.
Hooga 2 In 1 Balance Bike
Gold winner for Best Toddler Toy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022, the Hooga balance bike is a quirky fun Zebra-themed outdoor ride-on toy perfect for all children. It's designed to help your little one build up their strength and develop motor skills, coordination, and agility whilst in tricycle mode, it offers children support to develop their walking and riding skills. Aesthetically pleasing, our parent testers agreed it was appropriate for all genders.
Suitable from 18 months.
Clementoni Interactive Educational Talking Globe
Educational and fun at the same time, children can discover the world and learn all about continents, countries, capital cities, national anthems, and more with this interactive talking globe with optical reader pen. Captivating the attention of young, aspiring globe-trotters and adventurers, the globe has more than 500 questions divided into three levels of difficulty to test their new-found knowledge.
Suitable from seven years.
Chad Valley Deluxe Wooden Kitchen with Breakfast Bar
This non-gendered, quality, modern, wood-effect kitchen pretty much has it all! Perfect for roleplay fun, it has two light and sound burners, a toaster, dispensing ice maker, chalkboard, and 10 separate appliances including a dishwasher, oven grill, and fridge. It even has a breakfast bar so children have somewhere to serve their breakfast too. We're envious!
Suitable from three years.
Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag
Much as with LEGO bricks, these Mega Bloks perfectly sized for little hands will inspire younger children to get hands-on and play. They can build, stack, and explore their creativity with 60 big, multicoloured building blocks, to create anything from animals to tall towers and everything in between.
Suitable from 12 months.
Crayola 70 Piece Stationery Set
Perfect for all budding young artists, this arts and crafts set from Crayola has a whopping 70 pieces to meet their artistic needs. This set includes classic crayons, colouring pencils, twistable graphite pencils, and thick and thin line markers, all for amazing value.
Suitable from four years.
tonies Toniebox Starter Set
Available in a bunch of colours and topped with a gender-neutral Tonie figure, the Toniebox is the world’s first audio device designed specifically for children. Offering an intuitive, interactive experience, simply place a Tonie character on the top of the speaker cube, and the story or song related to that character begins to play. Soft enough to cuddle and tough enough for really hands-on kids, you can get Tonie characters for The Gruffalo, Peter Rabbit, Paw Patrol, Disney Frozen, and so much more.
Suitable from 3 years.
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Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs. For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.