My daughter is 21 months old. She loves everything from blocks to boats, and from cars to castles. Yet, I never really thought about her play pattern as it relates to traditional girl toys and dolls. She has her favorite Lambie and loves to run around with her miniature Doc McStuffins figurine. Yet, most of the toys we have in our home are gender neutral and perhaps a bit boy-leaning. Not a surprise since my son is my first born, so most of the toys in our house have been bought with him in mind (cars, trucks, and trains are the common theme!)
Yet, now that my daughter is getting older, I can see she is starting to take a more active role in her own play, and, as a result, in the things she wants to play with.
My first clue, if you will, is when I took my son over to a preschool friend’s house for a play date. It was a female friend so most of the toys leaned to doll houses and dolls, with a smattering of trains and trucks. They played well together, and little sister tagged along. The older kids payed her no mind as she sat on the floor next to a Calico Critter dollhouse and a Fisher Price Doll house and proceeded to try to get various Barbies in the front door of each. She enjoyed her play so much that she wouldn’t let go of Barbie and her dream house when it was time to go!
So the question is, when is it too early to introduce Barbie (considering, of course, that some are recommended for kids ages 3 and up due to small parts). When did your daughter get her first doll house? And which one did you find had great play value? Because, apparently, with her second birthday just three months away, I may need to start shopping!
