My dad visited a doctor once who bragged about how her grandson would never be allowed to play with “boy toys” because their family was not the type to force gender stereotypes and the child was comfortable with his masculinity despite the sea of baby carriages and pink tutus I was picturing when my dad told me this story.
While I applaud the gusto of this family, I secretly think they’re crazy. Or not so secretly. They’re nutso. Whacked. Deranged. Nutty as a Christmas fruitcake.
Anyway, if you are looking for some toys for your kids that might appeal to boys and girls, look no further! I have compiled a list for you of some pretty awesome gender neutral gifts for kids. These are especially good if you still aren’t sure whether your cousin’s child is actually a boy or girl, what with all of the Justin Bieber haircuts these no good kids are sporting.
How fantastically gorgeous is this modern playhouse? At first I balked at the price, but this is one of those things you have forever, your kids play with every day for years, make forts in, sleep in, feel cozy and safe in, and then you can keep it for their kids or sell it on Craigslist for a profit afterward. Okay, maybe not a profit.
I want these Squigz desperately. So do your sons and daughters – they stick together via suction and I can’t even believe how neato they are, and that you could probably play with them all over your windows and sliding glass door. Ooh! And in the car to quell whining.
Green Kids Crafts offer those cool activity box subscriptions as well as individual boxes to give as gifts. I love this World Holidays pack, but they have all sorts of options for whatever your kid is into. Green Kids Crafts “Contains only natural and sustainable materials and each purchase benefits environmental non-profits”.
The standing easel
Periodic Table Building Blocks– I am sure I’m not the only parent who finds sitting on the floor and playing with their kids boring after a while. I love the idea of being able to learn a few things while playing with Junior. Plus, you can raise a mini scientist/engineer hybrid in one feel swoop.
This bean bag toss hangs out in your doorway, and you know you’ll play it as much as your kids do. Plus, it actually gets them up of their booties for a while.
I actually consider this Melissa & Doug Cutting Food
What kid isn’t blown away the first time they peer through a microscope? This sturdy little number gets little kids into the fun of looking up close at items- maybe even their pacifier that they still refuse to give up. 
Ah, the classic wooden fold-up barn. Can you feel my nostalgia seeping through the computer? My fold-up wooden barn was my favorite toy for years,a and it makes me so happy to see Land of Nod offering one now. Moo. Oink.
One of the most fun things I’ve done with my kids is experiencing a Butterfly Garden
Pragmatic Mom’s list of gender-bending gifts are here.
See all of the gift guides in our 12 Days of Shopping:
Day 1: DIY or Buy Advent Calendars – see Pragmatic Mom’s post on a DIY gratitude Advent calendar.
Day 2: Gifts That Give Back – Mine • Mia’s
Day 3: Gender Bending Gifts for Kids – My post on Gender Neutral gifts • Mia’s post on Gender bending gifts
Day 4: Gifts for Those Impossible to Shop for – My post • Mia’s post
Day 5: Gifts for Reluctant Artists- My post on Gifts for Reluctant Artists • Mia’s post on Gifts for Reluctant Artists and Gifts for Reluctant Readers
Day 6: Oops, I Did It Again; Worst Gifts Ever – My tacky gifts post • Mia’s post on ugly Christmas sweaters and other terrible gifts
Day 7: Gifts to Steal from Loved Ones – My post • Mia’s post
Day 8: Left Brain/Right Brain Gifts- My post • Mia’s post
Day 9: Gift Ideas for Clients (mine) •Gifts for Those Easily Forgotten (Mia’s post)
Day 10: Gifts for New Year’s Resolutions – my post • Mia’s post
Day 11: My post: Easy Holiday DIY Gifts • Mia’s post: Giving and Receiving Unwanted Gifts
Day 12: The Art of the Thank You Note and Mia’s post
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Put me down for the bean bag toss game and the suction cup toys. We used our play food from Melissa and Doug FOREVER! Ditto with the easel which is still in use.
I am loving your picks (and prose)!
I know a certain little boy who would love the periodic table blocks. I think. I hope.
Is that certain little boy you?
Erm… no. I am not a fan of science or anything that has the word “period” in it. My nephew is a young Carl Sagan. Or some other famous science-y guy.
Thank you so much for posting all of this, it’s really useful and seriously needed. I couldn’t believe it when I typed into Google “Gifts for a 13 year old” and found that literally every page on the results was gendered in some way! Are kids not allowed to have interests outside what is “normal” for their gender? And why are certain toys gendered anyway???
Excellent list!
That is so interesting to me that that’s the case even when you’re looking for 13 year old gifts. It seems to be so much more prevalent with younger kids, but who knows who wrote those gift guides, too- I was always a non girly-girl, so I naturally look for gifts that appeal to kids no matter which gender. Hope you found some good ideas!