I don't know about you, but there's a part of me that resists the notion that toys can be "hot." Fun and silly maybe, but hot? The only hot toys I'm interested in having nothing to do with my children.
In any event, trends in toy-making are interesting to follow (remember Cabbage Patch Kids?) as they often illuminate the cultural goings-on. And if
the new toy trend, ugly is the new beautiful, is representative of a move away from Bratz doll hell, then I'm all in. Ugly AND low-tech? Even better.
The American Bear Company has a new toy called "My Own Monster," which lets kids design their own stuffed monsters. Brilliant! In response to obesity concerns, there are also more interactive toys this year, including do-re-mi blocks, Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Kitchen, and Barkey the Vacuum for Little Tikes.
Toys, especially the non-Bratz, non-Barbie toys, can give you a renewed sense of hope about the future an excuse to reminisce about Honey Hill Bunch and Green Machines. Remember those?
