Gifts That Celebrate Diversity & Inclusion
Whether it’s the holidays, birthdays, or other special events, parents so often find themselves seeking out the perfect gift – and this is no easy task! So often, it’s hard to find anything other than one-size-fits-all gifts for our little ones.
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way! When you bring a little thought and mindfulness to gift-giving (and maybe do a little research to seek out small businesses offering unique items), you’ll discover a world of kids’ gifts that celebrate and embrace diversity and inclusion.
And an extra perk – these gifts are often ethically made and do good in the world, something so desperately needed.
Keep reading to discover our favorite gift ideas for more colorful and inclusive gift-giving for children.
Choosing Gifts That Embrace Diversity & Inclusion
There’s a simple truth that all parents will learn quickly: just because you’re talking ‘til you’re blue in the face, doesn’t mean your kids are always listening (or absorbing what you say). Actions speak louder than words, and fun works better than lectures.
We’re sure that you talk to your children about the importance of kindness and inclusion, which is a major step in broadening your child’s perspective of the worldand that’s important. But if you want to broaden your child’s perspective, you also want to think about broadening their world. And what they reach for in their toy chest matters.
That’s why if you want to encourage diverse representation, you want to reflect the diversity of the world in your home. You can do this with your own things, like what you read and put on the walls. And you can also do this with books and toys that embrace diverse representations of what it means to be a kid.
Remember when we were kids, and toy shelves were stocked with row upon on row of cookie-cutter blond dolls, with nary another option in sight? Thankfully, those days are long behind us! We can now give our children dolls and toys that look just like them – and just like all the other real kids in the real world, too.
Here are 5 great options that do just that.
Children’s Gifts To Celebrate Diversity #1: Kinfolk Dolls
Credit: Kinfolk Dolls Instagram
If you want to say good-bye to those cookie-cutter dolls, Kinfolk Dolls are a great place to start. Their goal is to “ensure that every little girl and boy can see themselves, as well as others, beautifully represented.” We love that, and we love the sweet-faced dolls they make, too.
#2: Hazel Village Dolls
Credit: Hazel Village Instagram
Here’s some more unbelievably sweet doll options from Hazel Village. This company works with social enterprises around the world to ethically make their products, ensuring artisans have dignified work and fair wages. They offer a range of adorable dolls in every color of the rainbow, and even offer handmade clothing your child can wear to match their doll. Too cute.
#3: This Is How We Do It
If you’re like us, you like to create a home for your children that’s overflowing with books. You also like to share books with your children that can expand their little minds and help them grow.
That’s why we’re also sure you’ll love This Is How We Do It by Matt Lamothe as much as we do. The reader follows one day in the real lives of seven kids from around the world – Italy, Japan, Iran, India, Peru, Uganda, and Russia. Kids learn that while everyone plays differently, there’s more that unites us than separates us. A pleasure to read with a great lesson, too, it’s exactly the kind of book we love sharing with our children.
#4: My Family Builders
Credit: My Family Builders
Find us a kid who doesn’t love blocks. Impossible, right? Just like it will be impossible to find a kid who won’t love My Family Builders. Developed with education specialists and child psychologists, this line of open-ended wooden toys represents families of all sizes and shapes: multiracial families, families with two dads or two moms, single parent families, and blended families. Kids will love to see themselves represented and – just as important – they’ll love how fun and cute these toys are. Win-win.
#5: Personalized Holiday Shirts
Our founder, Pavlina, started Petit Paradis Kids to celebrate each child’s unique features, helping make a world where all children are welcome. That’s why our luxuriously finished children's accessories can be personalized by skin, hair, and eye color, as well as the details of the outfit. You can even add glasses if your child wears them.
The result? A delightful moment when your child opens their gifts and sees themselves, fully represented.
See our personalized gifts for children here. And if you have a particular feature that you want included on your personalized design, please drop us a note. We’ll do our best to bring your request to life.