Classic toy makers are running scared of a new trend emerging in holiday gift giving: Parents are giving their kids–as young as 3 years old!–high-tech devices like iPads and Kindles instead of the regular wood, rubber or plastic toys that us parents were used to getting as kids.
One big wig at a top financial firm even admitted to Financial Times daily: "The top two guys, Mattel and Hasbro, they are terrified."
I know as a kid, I would have died for a Cabbage Patch or the newest Barbie. I understand that toy choices are very different now–it is 2012, after all–but I have to wonder: Is giving a toddler a tablet really worth it?
This Christmas was my baby Sebastian's first! While we were really excited, my husband and I didn't go crazy with toys or clothes. For one, we knew our families would give us some of that, but also Sebastian is just 8 months old. He's way too young to understand about all the Christmas toys and presents. I know that will come eventually, but for now we're focusing on other things (like "giving" him diapers and formula!).
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One of his abuelas gave Sebastian an awesome Leapfrog laptop and I know this little toy will be PERFECT when he's learning his letters and numbers, but my little guy simply looked at it and promptly started chewing on the corner. Um, I'm pretty sure that is not putting this toy to optimal use! Although a 3-year-old toddler may very well know how to navigate an iPad better than me, I'm not sure I would buy it for Sebastian even when he is 3. For one, we don't want to spend all that cash on something that he probably is going to break, and honestly, I want my son to play with regular toys. I don't want him to be caught up in video games. I'm hoping I can instill a sense of imagination in him. Call me old-fashioned, but there's nothing more fun than actually going outside and playing with a real ball.
I hope more parents do the same with their kids. Not for the financial sake of big toy makers Mattel and Hasbro (who should probably start thinking of creative ways to cash in on kids' tech savvy or launch a campaign about the benefits of imagination!) but because I think it can really benefit our future generations.
Image via Thinkstock
