When it comes to girl toys, increasingly brands are looking to break outside of gender stereotypes by inspiring and educating young females. Trend Hunter Senior Research Writer Jana Pijak counts down her top picks for empowered playtime, from inspirational scientist dolls to comedic action figures and presidential coloring books.
If regular dolls are not what you want in terms of girl toys, there are dolls available that resemble important women in history, including famed scientist Marie Curie. Or for a more modern take on the action figure, your child or a kid you know could play with a set that features figures of comedy power duo Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. With the upcoming US election, a coloring book showcasing the life of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is also available at Urban Outfitters.
Empowered Playtime Innovations
Jana Pijak Shares Her Favorite Examples of Empowering Girl Toys
Trend Themes
1. Gender-neutral Toys - Expanding beyond gender stereotypes, brands are creating toys that can be enjoyed by all children, regardless of their gender.
2. Inspirational Dolls - Dolls that portray historical or influential women offer young girls role models and empower them to dream big.
3. Political-themed Toys - Toys and coloring books featuring political figures provide opportunities for children to learn about politics in an engaging and accessible way.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - The toy manufacturing industry has the potential to disrupt traditional gender norms by designing and producing gender-neutral toys.
2. Education & Learning - The education and learning industry can take advantage of inspirational dolls to teach young girls about important historical figures and their contributions.
3. Retail - Retailers can tap into the demand for political-themed toys by partnering with brands or creating their own products that cater to children's interest in politics.