As you fill your children’s play areas, you might be noticing a little lack of culture in those toy aisles or catalogs. Diverse or multicultural toys aren’t always as popular or trendy as many of the other wonderful toys stocking those aisles, and that often leaves us at a loss when it comes to prepping our kids’ playrooms.
Young kids’ minds are sharp and impressionable. Not only do they notice differences, but they also notice a lack of differences, as well. If we want our little ones to be open-minded and understanding of all people and cultures, it’s important to show them what that looks like. For those of us who are raising children of color, it’s also vital for us to show our kids they are represented in the world around them.
Just like it’s necessary to fill our kids’ shelves with diverse books, it’s as necessary to ensure that their playthings are exposing them to worlds outside of their own. The best part about it is that they are ever so welcoming to all people, places, and things. They love learning and knowing, and they respond to change better than any adult.
To raise those kind, compassionate kids into kind, compassionate adults, we have to start now–the work is hard and the road is long, but the effort has the potential to change the world.
If you’re looking for gifts for children that celebrate diversity and multiculturalism, here are a few of our favorites.
Dolls & Figurines
Barbie Fashionistas Doll
This line of 12 Barbie Fashionistas dolls includes six body types, nine skin tones, six eye colors, and varying hairstyles. This Barbie doll has a limb difference and wears a prosthetic leg.
Playdate Friends Harper Doll
This adorable doll comes with a little bear friend to play with! More Playdate Friends available, too.
Use code 20EVERYMOM for 20% off your first order!
Baby Ganesh Doll
This Baby Ganesh sings three popular mantras that make this stuffed animal both fun and educational.
Basket of Babies
This set of six, super-soft baby dolls are perfect to encourage your littles ones to be nurturing and inclusive.
Shola Hearts for Hearts Doll
Hearts for Hearts dolls will donate $1 from each purchase to World Vision, a global humanitarian organization to better the lives of each of the dolls represented in their respective country.
Wonder Crew Superhero Buddy
Marco comes equipped with a matching cape and mask for your little ones to wear and have fun with!
Pearl the Mermaid Doll
With the purchase of one of these adorable handmade dolls—that come in two different sizes—10 meals are given to children around the world.
Friends with Diverse Abilities Figures
These figures are meant to introduce open-mindedness and diversity for your little ones.
Creatable World Deluxe Character Kit Customizable Doll
A 2020 Toy of the Year Award finalist, kids can mix and match with over 100 looks to choose from!
The Lola Doll
The Lola Doll comes with a storybook for kids and parents to read together to talk about diversity and inclusion, from the mom-founded company Selma's Dolls.
Army Women Figures
Modeled by real female troops, these figurines showcase representation of U.S. soldiers.
Books & Games
Subscription Books Box
Jambo books sends you and your child two high-quality books each month that star a Child of Color in a key role to promote inclusion and show the diversity of American culture.
I Never Forget a Face Memory Matching Game
This game is not only fun, but will help little ones with their memory and recognition skills!
Little Traveler's Library: Four Adventures in Eight Languages
This set features four traveler books that include basic phrases in eight popular languages so your little ones can get a simple introduction to other cultures and places around the globe.
Ms. Monopoly Board Game
Instead of the classic Monopoly game only featuring men, this Monopoly game celebrates female inventors and is the first game where
"women make more than men."
UNO Braille
This classic card game features Braille on each card for blind and low-vision players.
Children of the World Memory Game
Kids must match boy and girl pairs according to their traditional dress, country, and color that is featured on the card to encourage memory, inclusivity, and matching skills.
La Catrina Emotions/Emociones Book
This book provides kids with a short introduction to both English and Spanish words and emotions.
Toys & Activities
Atlas Crate Subscription Activity Kit
With a monthly KiwiCo subscription, your kids will receive a package with two globally-inspired projects, inspiration booklets, activities to discover geography and other cultures, and an adventure book to help them discover more about different parts of the world.
Use code EVERYMOM for 30% off your first month's subscription of any KiwiCo line!
Melissa & Doug Sushi Wooden Play Food Set
Your little ones can create their favorite sushi roll in this 24-piece sushi play set.
The Big Book of Faces Coloring Book
This coloring book for children is all about teaching your little ones that diversity exists.
People Colors Crayon Pack
These crayons are a selection of colors that are meant to represent all different types of skin tones.
Haba Roman Colosseum Building Blocks
Your little ones can have some fun playing and building this replica of the Roman Colosseum in Italy.
Taco and Tortilla Play Food Set
Have your kids cook up some tacos and burritos with this fun taco and tortilla play set.
Global Kids Box: 50+ Games, Crafts, Recipes & More from Around the World
This Global Kids Box includes over 50 crafts, games, festivals, and food from all around the world for your little ones to learn about.
World Village Playset: China Adventure
With this play mat, children can learn Chinese-English words while creating their own story.
Rainforest Instrument Set
These handmade wooden animals are actually instruments—your kids will be entertained by all the sounds!
