As a nationally recognized play therapist, I know play is a proven learning tool and used a critical way to teach children. And as an educator, I love providing parents resources that can be used in a way children respond to most in a language they understand. Puppets, for example, are an excellent way to teach children about racism, and a way to ignite deep and meaningful conversations between a parent and a child. As an expert in play, I created my TOP 12 multicultural toys, games, and play tools to promote diversity. Many of these I have used personally at home and professionally in the playroom to help facilitate awareness, cultivate conversations, break down stigmas and biases, and to learn and be more accepting about diverse populations, culture, race, and ethnicity. Learning is playing and playing is learning. And these toys will help children and adolescents explore other cultures as they play. I invite you to read the whole list to see which play tools you can incorporate in your home and encourage you to play and teach your children utilizing at least one of these tools!
Puppets
I personally own a few of these puppets and wish I had them all. They are excellent quality and so lifelike. When I use them in the therapy room, at workshops and conferences, and or with my own children at home, they feel so real. Puppets are safe and friendly and because their mouth and hair move, they ignite lifelike imagination within the child. They can be used to have tough conversations where the child can speak directly to the puppet instead of the adult or the child can use two at a time and have a conversation between the two puppets. This helps children talk about tough issues with no judgement from another human, adult or peer. The adult can supervise and listen and then interject some teaching moments when needed. These “Let’s Talk” Kid Puppets can be found individually or as a set of 8 from Lakeshore Learning from $16.99-$129.00. They are recommended for 3-6 year olds (Preschool-1st grade) but honestly, I have started using them as early as 2 years old through 5th grade. I even use them with my Master’s and Doctoral level students and with my adult parenting workshops and conferences. These particular puppets are even machine washable!
Kids Around the World Finger Puppets from Oriental Trading Company come with 12 finger puppets are only $5.19!
Crayons
People Colors Crayon Pack from Lakeshore Learning will help children find the shade that most represents their skin color. I use coloring in play therapy to let children be creative and explore the world they live in by being creative. This also helps when they are non verbal or choose not to talk and can draw their feelings instead. They come as a single pack for $6.99 or a 12 pack for $82.99. Each pack includes 24 crayons.
People Figures
There are a few different options when looking for people figures. My first favorite is the Pose and Play Kid and Pose and Play Family Figures from Lakeshore Learning. These figures are great because you can bend them and they can say hello to each other or even give each other a high five or a hug. The kid set comes with 4 figures and each family set comes with 5 figures in a variety of multi-ethnic dolls. The kid set is only $14.99 and the family set is $84.99 and comes with 4 different families for a total of 20 dolls. Individual families of 5 are $21.99 each. They are great for dollhouse play or free play and also for blended families, Interracial families, and therapists working with a variety of clients of different ethnicities. They are also easy to clean.
I have also owned Block Play People from Lakeshore Learning for many years. In fact, it may have been one of my first purchases as a play therapist over a decade ago. They are extremely durable and even have a 10 year warranty! Each family comes with 8 pieces: a baby, a toddler, a girl, a boy, a woman, a man, an elderly woman, and an elderly man. They stand for a realistic element and I love how multigenerational they are. There are 5 families in the family set, which costs $119; a Hispanic family, a Black family, a Caucasian family, an Asian family, and a Native American family. Each of these families comes in a set by itself, which is $24.99.
I also love that they have a set of Differing Abilities for $24.99 that includes 6 figures of different genders, ages, and ethnicities from leg braces, hearing aides, wheelchair, blind cane, etc.
They also have a Kids Around the World set of 12 that includes a Japanese girl in a kimono, a Ghanaian boy in a dashiki, and more diverse children from around the world for $39.99.
And lastly they also have a Community Block People set of 12 for $34.99 that includes people of varying genders, ethnicities, and occupations from doctor, police officer, teacher, farmer, and more.
The Mix and Match Magnetic Families from Lakeshore Learning is also a big favorite of mine. This set comes with 32 double sided pieces where you an mix and match people of varying ages and skin color.
Skin Tone Kids Craft Sticks from Child Therapy Toys is a great tool to get crafty and creative with sticks of 6 varying skin tone colors. You receive 24 sticks for only $6.79.
Games
Matching Pairs Children of the World matching game from Nest Learning contains 32 Beech wood discs depicting children in traditional dress from around the world. There are 16 matching sets with children from Scotland, South Korea, Central Europe, the Pacific Islands, Africa, the Middle East and more. This game encourages “conversations about multiculturalism, community, diversity and inclusiveness.” The game costs $18.99 and is recommended for ages 2+.
Guess Who is an all time favorite game of mine to play with my clients and or my children. The game pieces represent people of varying genders, ages, and skin colors.
Friends and Neighbors board game teaches children empathy by helping others.
The Keep it Real board game is meant for deep and honest conversations for youth, adolescents, and young adults.
The Accept and Embrace Diversity Card Game from Child Therapy toys is intended for adolescents and is only $5.09.
Puzzles
Children of the World floor puzzle from Lakeshore Learning is a great 48 piece puzzle to learn all about diverse cultures from all over the world! It costs $12.99 and is recommended for children 4+!
Ethnic Diversity 4 Puzzle Set from Child Therapy toys is also a great option that feature people from different ethnicities engaging in various activities. The puzzle is “designed to illustrate diversity and help children accurately understand their world and respect people from different ethnic backgrounds.” The set costs $58.23.
*Disclaimer: Not all photos are my own. Some have been graciously borrowed from various sources online since I don’t own all of these items and really wanted to showcase them for you!
Have any other ideas? I’d love to hear them and add to my list!
Leave a Reply