Childhood is a crucial stage in individuals’ development, and toys play a fundamental role in forming bonds, preparing for future challenges, and developing gender identity. Awareness of transgender identity typically emerges around the age of 8, although there may be earlier signs. Parents and educators need tools that enable them to effectively address these situations to promote healthy child development and foster acceptance of diversity in childhood environments.
In this context, it is necessary to investigate the impact of toys on childhood and the design characteristics that should be considered in addressing gender identity development. This work approaches a mixed methodology. On one hand, a typological study was conducted on a wide sample of toys, and on the other hand, a questionnaire pilot study focused on inclusive toy design and its impact on transgender childhood was carried out, targeting parents, children, and transgender individuals.
The results indicate that there are key characteristics in toy design, such as body representation, chromatic variety, and mixed gameplay mechanics, that can contribute to improving integration and the development of transgender childhood. Furthermore, the need to further explore the relationship between gender identity and toy design is confirmed, as it is demonstrated that toys are essential tools in children’s development.