Technology takeover

Tech meets toys to appeal to 21st century children

When it comes to technology, kids are way ahead of most of us adults. And as they grow up in a world that revolves around the latest tech, it’s no surprise that they will warm to toys that appear in that sector.

As The Insights Family’s Stavros Triseliotis points out in this issue’s column, around the world, 57% of tweens and young teens say they want to have access to the latest technology and design.

And with kids who show an interest in tech looking to aspire to careers in the IT sector, and listing IT as their favourite school subject, it is no surprise that toy companies should tap into this interest and bring technology to an ever-younger age group.

And that is no bad thing, as Sophie Beart at online learning platform Bubba (www.bubba.co.uk), who points out: ‘’Toys that explore coding, robotics and engineering allow children to experience digital tools and learn how they work. In addition to hands-on experiences, they also support children’s mathematical skills, develop spatial awareness and logical reasoning. In particular, it is important to expose girls to STEM-based skills and toys early so that they are introduced to a world that has primarily been infuenced by boys. Breaking down these gender-stereotypes early will help girls to encourage them to pursue STEM careers. By doing so, this will in turn support young girls’ confdence and self-esteem when considering careers in STEM.’’

VTech is jumping straight into introducing younger kids to technology with its Genio Max My First Laptop. Aimed at kids aged fve to 10, the laptop ofers much of the functionality that they will see on their parents’ machines, from word processing and digital diary to calendar and even printable revision sheets to keep them up on their homework. Kidsafe controls allow children to browse the web safely – and have screen time designated by an adult.

Robotics is another major area to explore. Once the stuf of science fction, now, robots are taking functional role in a number of arenas – in fact the Frankfurt-based International Federation of Robotics states that the global stock of functional robots has hit an all-time high of 3.5 million this year. And toy robots are becoming more sophisticated every year. Take Character Options’ MINTiD Dog-E – a robot dog that ofers more than one million possible combinations of colourful lights, sounds, and personality traits.

The robotic canine, due to launch in September, has life-like movements, can hear sounds, identify touch, and displays icons and messages to communicate. This perfect family pet can be trained by its young owners to learn names, and do tricks. Like the pocket digital pets of our childhood, the dog needs to be fed, played with and cared for to keep it happy. And talking of pocket pets, they have been brought frmly into the 21st century by Spin Master. Bitzee has brought digital pets of the screen and into the real world. These pocket pets need love and attention from their owner to grow. Children can virtually interact with the pet puppy and watch them grow into an adult.

Mookie’s Rescue Penguin also requires kids to look after a creature to transform it from sad and mud covered to a happy, dancing bird. Like the Bitzee, the Rescue Penguin needs feeding, petting and having its needs met – but be careful not to feed it too much!

There’s more inspiration for techbased toys on the following pages…