Getting kids their favorite toy could help them make more friends

NEW YORK — Parents, make sure you find that one toy your kids want for the holidays — four in five moms and dads say their children are happier, more social, and more confident when they play with their favorite toy or doll.

The comprehensive survey, commissioned by fashion doll brand Rainbow High and conducted by Talker Research, gathered insights from 2,000 U.S. parents of school-aged children. The findings highlight how play sessions early on in childhood can shape children’s social development, with 63% of parents believing that early toy and doll play leads to better friendship-building skills later in life.

The research also reveals that 69% of parents say their children play with dolls or action figures. Notably, the same percentage of parents say their children maintain numerous or “a fair amount” of friendships, suggesting a potential connection between the human-like toys kids love and their social development.

For many parents, dolls also serve as social tools, with 36% noting that dolls help create memorable experiences with friends, while 34% credit dolls with facilitating new friendships among children. However, the study also revealed concerns about modern childhood, with 60% of parents worried that pressure to mature quickly and achieve success negatively impacts their children’s self-confidence.

Color can also play a significant role in play and self-expression. In fact, 52% of parents believe their children’s favorite color reflects their personality. The survey found that 68% of parents say their child would likely want a toy or doll in their preferred color, and 91% agree that having color choices in fashion – whether for themselves or their dolls – enhances children’s confidence and expressiveness.

“For kids, the holidays are all about play and are a crucial time for their self-growth,” says Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, a Clinical Psychologist and Play Therapist, in a statement. “The ability to play with and change colors helps kids navigate their world and sense of self, so the more parents can introduce colors of the rainbow during the gifting season, the better they can help their kids become more confident and more social.”

Additionally, the poll revealed parents’ priorities for their children’s play experiences, with social skills leading the way at 50%, followed by problem-solving (43%), discovering personal interests (41%), and peer communication (40%). Notably, academic skills ranked lower in priority, demonstrating parents’ emphasis on social and emotional development.

Diversity in play also emerged as a significant theme, with 65% of parents emphasizing the importance of toys and dolls representing different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Furthermore, 64% actively seek toys representing diverse personalities and interests, matching the proportion who look for dolls with varying skin colors, body types, and cultural backgrounds.

The influence of media on play habits was also evident, with 46% of parents reporting their children frequently or always play with toys based on TV or YouTube characters. An impressive 91% noted their children recreate screen-based content during playtime. When asked about desired takeaways from media consumption, parents prioritized problem-solving (49%), personal interest discovery (41%), and confidence building (40%).

So, the findings suggest that the thought really does count during the holidays, as long as it’s leading to a toy that’ll give your kids lasting memories and something to share with their friends!