Batteries not included

I went Christmas shopping for the boys yesterday.

It was so disheartening to see the limited options of toys that didn't sing, flash, buzz, beep, nor steal the child's imagination away. Don't get me wrong, electronic toys are fun and I did pick up a few, but it seems everything is electronic these days. Even the infant toys. Like a 1 year old really needs a Baby Einstein laptop computer. I wanted to get Alex a pull along xylophone, but now you can only find them with attached electronic keyboards or in the shape of some crazy plastic animal. So disappointing.

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than watching Ben play with his matchbox cars or army men and act out scenarios, or build an airplane out of his tinker toys and fly it around the house with pride at his accomplishment. Today's toys seem to be robbing our children the opportunity to expand their own creative worlds.

Come to think of it, adult toys are just as bad. When was the last time you saw a cell phone that was just a phone?

*Edited to add....I found the xylophone I wanted for Alex. I had to order it from the UK. Hmmm, there's a message here somewhere I'm sure. I hope he likes it!