Boys' toys and games facts for kids

Boys' toys and games are types of toys and games that often appeal to boys. People think these preferences might come from a mix of things. These include natural differences, what friends like, choices parents make, how toys are advertised, and old traditions.

An infant boy playing with a toy dump truck at the beach.

Why Do Boys Prefer Certain Toys?

Scientists have looked into why boys might prefer certain toys. Some studies suggest there could be natural reasons for these choices.

For example, a psychologist named Kim Wallen studied rhesus monkeys. She found that male monkeys often played with toy dump trucks and other wheeled toys more than soft dolls. This suggests that some toy preferences might be present even in animals.

Another study looked at very young children, from 9 months to almost 3 years old. It found that boys often preferred balls and toy cars. This preference grew stronger as they got older. This suggests that both natural factors and their surroundings play a part very early in life.

In 2018, a study by Lauren Spinner explored how pictures affect kids' toy choices. Children aged 4 to 7 saw images of kids playing with toys usually linked to their gender, or toys usually linked to the opposite gender. After seeing the "opposite gender" pictures, children were more open to the idea that boys and girls could like any toy. However, seeing these pictures didn't change what toys the children themselves wanted to play with.

How Advertising Shapes Toy Choices

Over time, how toys are advertised has changed how we think about "boys' toys" and "girls' toys."

A study by Elizabeth Sweet looked at old Sears catalogs from the 1900s. It showed that ads from the 1920s to the 1950s often promoted traditional roles for men and women through toys. For example, boys' toys might be linked to building or adventure, while girls' toys were linked to home activities.

In the 1980s, rules about advertising to children changed a lot. This led to TV shows like My Little Pony and Transformers being made. These shows were designed to entertain kids and also advertise toys at the same time. This was a big change for toy companies. By 1985, most popular children's toys were connected to TV shows.

More recently, in 2012, Carol Auster studied Disney's online toy store. She noticed that toys were often listed specifically as "girl" or "boy" toys. Even though Disney now lists some toys in both sections, most toys still appear in only one. Also, toys listed in both sections often used colors usually linked with boys. This makes it seem like "boy" toys are the standard or "neutral" choice for all kids.

Popular Toys for Boys

Traditional toys often enjoyed by boys include:

Fun Games Boys Play

Traditional games often played by boys include: