But general beliefs about whether boys and girls should play with the same toys don’t hold true for all types of toys. YouGov asked Americans whether each of 14 toys and games are suitable for only boys, only girls, both boys and girls, or neither boys nor girls.
Almost all Americans say building blocks, board games, science kits, toy musical instruments, arts and crafts kits, and stuffed animals are toys suitable for both boys and girls.
For four other toys, 50% or more of Americans say they’re equally suitable for boys and girls, but sizable minorities say they’re only for boys: toy trucks, toy tool sets, action figures, and toy guns. Almost no one says any of those four toys are suitable only for girls.
Toy guns are the only one of the 14 toys where a significant share of Americans say they’re suitable for neither boys nor girls (23%).
Most Americans say play kitchen sets are suitable for both boys and girls (67%), but 28% say they’re suitable only for girls. Tea sets closely divide Americans, with 50% saying they’re for boys and girls, and 42% saying they’re only for girls. The same is true for baby dolls (46% say for boys and girls vs. 49% only for girls). Most Americans say play makeup sets are only suitable for girls (26% say they’re for both boys and girls and 63% for only girls).
