The Pink Aisle: a trap for little girls? A series of brands corrupting their integrity to sell to girls? Brands changing their items to suit girls better? The answers to all of these questions are completely subjective to the observer. My stance, however, is that if you can get your daughter to expand her interests, the Pink Aisle is yours to define.
We’ll start with some classics. When you head down the Pink Aisle, you may feel overwhelmed by stereotypes. Kitchen sets, tea sets, and other “domestic” toys are everywhere. There is nothing wrong with this. If children (including boys) decide that they like that kind of toy, why shouldn’t they be allowed them? Childhood is the best chance to learn how to be a great adult. Getting to practice life skills via imagination opens doors for the parent. If your child likes pretending to make tea, let them do it, make a note of it, and when they are old enough, teach them how to do it for real.
Image by Modern Brick, labelled for re-use.
Moving on to my favorite: pretty pretty playthings. Princesses, damsels in distress, and other “overkill” upgrades are a good thing. My favorite example of this is the LEGO series of pink bricks, and LEGO Elves. Some parents worry that girls should be able to play with regular LEGO toys, and that they are just as good. I say “toss that,” and remind parents that introduction toys like pink LEGO bricks help girls get started learning about building, design, and even engineering.
Any “girly” toy can be a gateway into a more in-depth subject. The diversity of items in the Pink Aisle give you the chance to find their interests, and yours, and find the middle ground that helps your child grow.
What does this all add up to? Let your kids have their interests. Use the Pink Aisle to encourage your kids to try new things. If pink is a good reason for them, it should be a good reason for you. Now, I’m not saying you should go out and buy everything in the Pink Aisle. I’m just saying you shouldn’t avoid it like it is the plague. It’s a tool, not a challenge to overcome.
Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to go build a pink castle, and put elves in it.
My 6yo daughter is a huge fan of the LEGO Friends series. I am sure she would not be having so much fun today if we sticked to the conventional LEGO series, the Friends series has been a perfect gateway for more creative play.
However, the opposite is true as well (i.e. a boyish thing can become a great toy for a girl): for her 5th birthday she insisted on having a remote-control car, and we bought a black AUDI. After a few days she decorated it with glittery stickers of fairies and butterflies, now it looks like a tacky prop for a james bond movie at a gay pride parade, but what matters is that she loves it and still plays with it.