We played tag, and sometimes we even played dolls.

Ike, 6: The boys and the girls played the same kinds of games at the Butterfly Garden (a forest kindergarten program).

I’m OK with girl LEGOs, but that’s not what I’m going to be playing with.ĭo you really think there’s a difference in how boys and girls play? They made the girl LEGOs for those girls that like that stuff.

Gillian, 10: I’m OK with it because I know there are some toys that are more “boyish” too.

I don’t really play with LEGOs, but I like that they have Nerf guns that are girl-style now.

Ike, 6: I don’t feel very good about that because they look like Mega Bloks people.

How do you feel about toys that are changed somehow to make them more “girly” - like pink LEGOs?

Gillian, 10: Boys get into stuff that is more violent, like games and sports, and girls tend to like the “pretty pop star” things or pretend to be a movie star and dress up.

Girl toys are usually dolls and stuffed animals.

Tara, 8: Usually boy toys are action figures - Ninja Turtles and cars.

Boy toys look more scary, and girl toys look sweet and nice. What’s different about “boy” toys and “girl” toys? I am also really into spy gear, camping and gardening.

Gillian, 10: I like Minecraft, Lego Bionicle toys and Transformers.

When we play in the neighborhood, we play like we’re orphans and we’re trying to survive in the streets.

Tara, 8: Sometimes I like to play tag, too.

What about you? What do you like to play? It isn’t always princess stuff like when we were younger. I’ve met a lot of girls that are into singers/musicians and TV shows.

Gillian, 10: Once you get to an older age, it’s not the “princess” stuff anymore.

We make up stories about how they get to be friends and what they do.

Tara, 8: We mostly just talk and hang out.They kind of like Wii games, but dolls is what they usually play. Gillian, 10: A lot of times boys like to play sports games or really violent video games, but not all of them.I know some of the boys in my class play capture games.

Ike, 6: Boys like Wii games and stuff, and boy dolls like wrestling guys.

But how much of a difference do they see when they play? We talked to a few kids to ask them about the differences in boys and girls and how they play. They are bombarded with marketing telling them what girls play and what boys play. Kids see the pink and blue aisles in the stores.

Toca boca stuffed animals