Mary Manz Simon's Blog, page 59
September 9, 2015
The disappearance of BB-8
I wasn’t surprised to see the empty store spaces where BB-8, the darling droid had landed. After all, it’s not often that parents can purchase a droid with a personality, for a mere $150. (I wonder how many were bought for self-gifting instead of holiday presents for kids…)
But I was stunned by the lack of inventory for other new Star Wars toys. By last Saturday morning, at the Toys ‘R Us, Target and Meier stores I visited, only empty racks were left, especially where action figures had been displayed.
As I walked the aisles at Toy Fair last February in New York City, it was obvious Star Wars toys would be winners. But even though The Force has not even awakened, more than buzz is building.
September 7, 2015
Goodbye Pink. Bye-bye Blue.
Target is the latest to remove gender labels from their children’s departments.
But even if the signs are gone, the pink product blizzard makes the girls’ department easy to find.
Who needs the signs, anyway?
September 4, 2015
Force Friday
Happy Force Friday, the day kids (and their Star Wars fanatical dads) have been anticipating.
Today, Toys R Us begins to officially sell toys based on the upcoming movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which hits theaters December 18.
We’ll all soon be drowning in a variety of campaigns, products and programs from Disney Publishing, Hasbro, Lego, Mattel, General Mills, Subway, Verizon….and the list goes on.
“Drowning” was clearly the right word.
September 2, 2015
“Just pretend” year round
Halloween is still weeks away, but short-stature superheroes already accompany parents to grocery stores and young princesses watch big sisters play soccer.
Dressing in costume is no longer limited to the last week of October. Supporting children’s imaginative play, complete with costumes and accessories, has become a booming business.
Parents now look for costumes that are machine washable, durable and comfortable, because after all, imaginative play benefits kids year-round.
August 31, 2015
Dad Dudes
Father’s Day is long gone, but Millennial Dads are redefining fatherhood.
This has been a growing theme for several years, and it is not slowing down. Signs continue to pop up:
Baby showers have become a Man Shower or Dadchelor Parties.
“Mom influencer” sites no longer have sole online domain. Consider DadaRocks and LunchboxDad.
Dads are manning up, whether or not they are among the growing number of stay-at-home-dads or dads who balance part-time work with childcare.
Who’s taking the “first day of school” photo at your house?
August 28, 2015
Tech infused play
Watching kids use tech outdoors has been one of the most exciting elements of this summer.
Although researchers say play patterns haven’t changed – kids still chase around, bike and swim – tech has added a different element…just ask a child wearing an activity tracker, an indicator of how online and offline play have morphed. It hints at what we’ll see as we move toward the holiday toy buying season.
August 26, 2015
PTA fundraisers
As a former PTA president, I tend to be defensive about the hard-working volunteers who give so much of themselves to improve schools…but when it comes to PTA fundraisers, well, that’s another story.
At our elementary school, we always searched for options that would give us more than the 40% most fundraising organizations offer schools: if a student sold $10 worth of wrapping paper or peanuts, our school earned $4.
I’ve often thought if parents contribute $10 or $20 that would actually go to the school, kids wouldn’t need to beg neighbors, friends and family to buy magazines and nuts. But since back-to-school costs have skyrocketed, and parents are already stocking classrooms with kleenex and pencils, adding another donation doesn’t seem like an answer, either.
August 24, 2015
de Blasio’s unbanning
One of the most watched statistics this fall will be the impact of NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio’s end to the cell phone ban for students.
Researchers in the UK indicate that academic performance increases when phones are banned, especially for students at the bottom of the class.
That makes sense: high performers are better at blocking out distractions.
We’ll watch what happens…
August 21, 2015
Books in print
They might be the first generation of digital natives to become parents, but even though moms and dads (age 35 and under) love phones and tablets, they still prefer a print book to an e-book.
This research reflects that perhaps we’re too quick to assume parents are “only” and “always” online.
August 19, 2015
The big SS reveal
Elmo has walked along the familiar sidewalks on Sesame Street for 45 seasons, but the lovable monster is getting ready for big changes when the show kicks off the fall season: the iconic neighborhood has been remodeled.
Big Bird has a new nest, Cookie Monster lives above Hooper’s renovated store, and Oscar has handy recycling bins and composting receptacles.
In this nod to the real world, I wonder if Cookie Monster will only chomp baked goods that are free of artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners and flavors?
